Romantic Elements In A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire is the masterpiece of the world-renowned American playwright Tennessee Williams. Based on the romantic theories, this thesis aims at finding out the romantic elements in A Streetcar Named Desire. Tennessee Williams was strongly influenced by earlier romanticists. His romantic ideals are fully expressed by him in the play, such as preference of the Old to the New, aestheticism superior to utilitarianism and chivalry compared favorably with impertinence. He points out the protagonist Blanche DuBois' romantic characteristics, notably her nostalgia and illusion, and adopts a psychoanalytic approach to build up her character. Other romantic techniques are also employed by the author, for instance symbolism and the new form "plastic theatre".