6.2.3

Marxist Approach

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Marxist Approach

Marxist literary criticism considers a Marxist view of history, in which class struggle is essential. Marxist criticism focuses on the connections between literature and the economic structure of the society in which it was written.

Working vs middle-class

Working vs middle-class

  • There is an axis in the play between the immigrant working-class world of Stanley and the more middle-class affluent world of Stella and Blanche.
  • Stella has come down to Stanley’s level. But he hopes to transcend his class by working hard and providing for her.
Belle Reve

Belle Reve

  • Blanche has lost part of the Belle Reve estate that Stanley feels he and Stella were entitled to.
  • It is this that motivates Stanley to investigate Blanche.
  • This matter also complicates the class struggle issue further.
The street

The street

  • The background of the play (the street) is littered with other working-class characters who are trying to make their way in the world of the American Dream.
  • They are forced to take menial jobs to get by and the dream seems to have turned somewhat sour.
Message about upper classes

Message about upper classes

  • Although Blanche presents herself as middle class and refined, the audience is aware that she is down on her luck, and in fact, has less money and opportunities than Stanley or Stella.
  • Williams may be suggesting that class issues are irrelevant and unimportant and that whatever class we are in, we can still feel sexual frustration and be unfulfilled.
Crossing social boundaries

Crossing social boundaries

  • The play may say that it is dangerous to cross class boundaries: something that is embodied in Blanche’s rape and her incarceration in a mental institution.
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Overview

1.1

The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams
1.2

Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context1.2.2Social Issues1.2.3Setting
1.3

Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy
2

Scene Summaries

2.1

Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas
2.2

Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two
2.3

Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.4

Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four
2.5

Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.6

Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary
2.7

Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.8

Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight
2.9

Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.10

Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.11

Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley
3.2

Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
3.3

Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others
4

Key Ideas

4.1

Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender
4.2

Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances4.2.2Fantasy & Reality4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design5.1.2Linking Devices5.1.3Recurring Motifs
5.2

Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre5.2.2Form & Language5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Critical Debates

6.1

Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews
6.2

Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach6.2.3Marxist Approach6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates
7

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language
8

Recap: Main Quotes

8.1

Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

Practice questions on Marxist Approach

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What events in _A Streetcar Named Desire_ warn about the dangers of crossing class boundaries?Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What motivates Stanley to start investigating into Blanche's past?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    How does the play depict the class struggle between Stanley and Blanche?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What motivates Stanley to investigate Blanche according to a Marxist perspective?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    How does Williams portray the American Dream in the play?Multiple choice
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Psychoanalytic Approach

End of Topic Test - Critical Debates