A Streetcar Named Desire Study Guide

Tennessee Williams' most famous play opens outside 632 Elysian Fields. This two-story flat in the poor district of New Orleans is the home of Stanley and Stella Kowalski. It is dusk on a May evening and voices from the busy street and blues music from a nearby bar create a backdrop of noise. Additional background noise comes from an occasional train that rumbles through on the L & N tracks and stray cats that roam the street. Williams uses these noises, particularly the music, to establish and enhance the mood of each scene. (read more)