“Poetic Realism” in A Streetcar Named Desire

Tennessee Williams attaches great emphasis to the poetic quality of his drama and contributes to the development of the dramatic form, poetic realism, by injecting the elements and spirit of poetry into every aspect of his dramaturgy. The thesis intends to analyze the characteristics and the achievements of the dramatic form of Williams’ “poetic realism” in A Streetcar Named Desire in terms of characterization, language, theatrical devices and symbolism. The analysis displays that the play demonstrates the distinctive characteristics and achievements of Williams’ “poetic realism”, which has exerted profound influence on American drama. The success of the play announces the arrival of a new epoch for American theatre of the twentieth century.