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What is a good thesis statement for A Streetcar Named Desire?

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A good thesis statement for A Streetcar Named Desire could focus on the theme of illusion versus reality, such as: "Tennessee Williams develops a theme of the opposing forces of illusion and reality in the life of Blanche DuBois through her interactions with Mitch and Stanley and her decaying mental health." Alternatively, it could compare Blanche and Stella's victimhood: "Although it seems like Blanche is the ultimate victim, Stella is just as much a victim because she has no mental escape from her abusive marriage."

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Composing a thesis statement requires a writer to first decide how to analyze the play.  For example, will it be a characterizationessay or a theme essay? Will it be a combination of the two?  An analysis could, for instance, consider the theme of illusion versus reality and how the character of Blanche DuBois conveys this theme.

There are different kinds of thesis statements, and for a literary analysis of a specific work, the closed thesis statement is appropriate.  A closed thesis statement directly states the topic and offers two or three points that will be developed.

A closed thesis statement that could drive an essay analyzing the aforementioned theme could look something like this: Tennessee Williams develops a theme of the opposing forces of illusion and reality in the life of Blanche DuBois  through her interactions with Mitch and Stanley and her decaying mental health.

This thesis offers the...

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latitude to explore Blanche's interactions with Mitch (such as when she prevents him from turning on the lights to see her more clearly), her interactions with Stanley (such as when she tells him about the illusory nature of women's charms), and her ultimate mental unraveling at the play's end. 

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I am going to explain this in a way that makes thesis statements so much easier for my students.  I hope it helps.  Think of three to five main points that you want to make (depending on how long the paper needs to be).  Each of these points will end up being your topic sentences.  Now you must connect these points in one sentence- your thesis statement.  For example, if you wanted to write about how Blanche's insanity helped her avoid the miserable life that her sister led, your could begin by writing your topic sentences such as...

1. It is obvious to the reader that Blanche is incapable of functioning in the role of a wife.

2. Because Blanche is unable of functioning as a wife, she escapes the cruelty that her sister Stella endures on a long term bais as Stanley's wife.

3.  Because Stella cannot escape marriage like Blanche can, she is just is much of a victim in the end.

A thesis that would tie all of these together would be: Although it seems like Blanche is the ultimate victim in the play, Stella is just as much a victim because she has no mental escape from her abusive marriage.

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After reading some criticisms about A Streetcar Named Desire, you will want to gather details that you think apply to and support the topic you have chosen.  Certainly, there are many approaches that you can take to Wiliams's play, and there is a list of further topics to explore here on enotes. (See the site below for these).

But, to make a suggestion, you may wish to write an analysis of Blanche DuBois, an examination of her character as it follows the symbolic meaning of her enigmatic entrance speech:

[BLANCHE with faintly hysterical humor]:  They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six blocks and then get off at--Elysian Fields!

In a symbolic sense this statement chronicles the life of Blanche DuBois who has had a past of much carnal desire, she has encountered death, and she has gotten off at--Elysian Fields by the end of the sixth scene.  There is an essay cited below which you can read in order to generate some of your own ideas on this thesis if you like it.  Also, see the character analysis, as well.

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