Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-1-1-tennessee-williams

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# Tennessee Williams

Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 1.1.1

## The Author: Tennessee Williams

You should not spend too long talking about the life of the author as you will not gain many marks for doing this. But it is still important to note a few things about the author for context.

### Hometown

![Hometown](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/229d92a4-3a75-431e-a803-aa67b65b2b92/usa-map-.png)

- Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” Williams III was born in 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi. 
- Mississippi is a state in the south of the United State of America. 
- Some scholars have observed that he shares his southern roots with many of the characters in the play.

### Williams' family

![Williams' family](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/9109e47c-9fb5-4f10-b640-dede40fec12a/family-11883_1920.jpg)

- Williams had English, Welsh, and Huguenot ancestry. 
- His father was a travelling shoe salesman who became an alcoholic and was frequently away from home. 
- His mother, Edwina, was the daughter of a music teacher and the Reverend Walter Dakin, an Episcopal priest from Illinois who was assigned to a parish in Mississippi shortly after Williams’ birth. 
- Williams lived in his parsonage with his family for much of his early childhood and was close to his grandparents.

### University life

![University life](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/efdc51d9-f712-4476-b400-7c2f0acfe754/graduation-college-university-education.jpg)

- Williams went to the University of Missouri, in Columbia, where he enrolled in journalism classes. 
- He was bored by his classes and was distracted by unrequited love for a girl. 
- He soon began entering his poetry, essays, stories, and plays in writing contests, hoping to earn both extra income and success.

### Early career

![Early career](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/331a317b-abe4-4865-af8c-798b50ea1b48/film-camera-16mm-.jpg)

- After university, Williams had a set of menial jobs. 
- In 1939, he moved to New Orleans in Louisiana for the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federally funded program begun by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 
- This brought him to the attention of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio. He worked for them for a while as a writer.

### Sex life

![Sex life](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/5c066967-080b-4074-a4dc-baa214306b97/homosexuality-1686921_1920.jpg)

- Williams had several relationships with women, but during the 1930s he realised that he was homosexual.

## Tennessee Williams' Plays

We need to be careful about fully connecting the author’s life to the text of a play because this can be dangerous. What the author has written may be an ‘imagined construction’ only and have little to do with the author’s life.

### _The Glass Menagerie_

![_The Glass Menagerie_](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/7077c1a0-2cf9-4e3c-a2c4-9f91656bb5c1/The_Glass_Menagerie_(Broadway%2C_1945)_1.jpg)

- During the winter of 1944–45, Williams' so-called “memory play” _The Glass Menagerie_, developed from his 1943 short story _Portrait of a Girl in Glass_, was produced in Chicago and gained good reviews. 
- It then moved to New York and was very successful.

### _A Streetcar Named Desire_

![_A Streetcar Named Desire_](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/f26ac422-7bdb-4555-b7f0-64c28c3c73a1/streetcar-named-desire-.jpg)

- His next play, _A Streetcar Named Desire_ opened in New York in 1947. The play was an instant success. 
- It was directed by Elia Kazan – a director who worked closely with Williams.

### Other plays

![Other plays](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/d4658d6e-a257-4e35-8ed0-7525cfb96754/Theatre-Seats-Stalls-Chairs.jpg)

- Several other successful plays followed including _Summer and Smoke_ (1948), _The Rose Tattoo_ (1951), _Camino Real_ (1953), and _Cat on a Hot Tin Roof_ (1955).

### Blanche

![Blanche](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/adf4d8fe-823f-4a8b-be22-6856a0213f2f/sad-crying-depressed-.jpg)

- Some critics have argued that the character of Blanche is based on Williams’ sister, Rose Williams, who struggled with mental health issues and became incapacitated after a lobotomy.

### Films

![Films](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/d5772775-99d3-4b1d-9b0a-aee5f605ee3f/movie-film-.jpg)

- During the early 1950s, _The Glass Menagerie_ and _A Streetcar Named Desire_ were adapted as major motion pictures and this brought Williams international acclaim.

### Later life

![Later life](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/2.4.1/alcoholic-min.jpg)

- After this early success, however, Williams' work declined following poor decisions. 
- He became an alcoholic. In 1963, his partner Frank Merlo died.
- Williams wrote several later plays but few of these were appreciated by critics or audiences. 
- On February 25, 1983, Williams was found dead at the age of 71 in his suite at the Hotel Elysée in New York.

## Test yourself on Tennessee Williams

- Where did Tennessee Williams go to university?
- What ancestry did Williams have?
- Which state is Williams from?
- Chronology of Williams' Plays
- In which year did Williams' partner die?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ad22e856-96b3-43a8-b7b6-33dcaf9f3494/section/8ef84ab4-ffa4-45df-9305-f8cc13e002a1/session)

- Next topic: [1.2.1 Social Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-1-social-context.md)

## Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire contents

### 1 Context & Overview
- 1.1 The Author
  - [1.1.1 Tennessee Williams](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-1-1-tennessee-williams.md)
- 1.2 Social Context & Setting
  - [1.2.1 Social Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-1-social-context.md)
  - [1.2.2 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-2-social-issues.md)
  - [1.2.3 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-3-setting.md)
- 1.3 Tragedy
  - [1.3.1 Overview of the Tragic Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-1-overview-of-the-tragic-genre.md)
  - [1.3.2 Modern Domestic Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-2-modern-domestic-tragedy.md)
  - [1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-3-end-of-topic-test-author-context-and-tragedy.md)

### 2 Scene Summaries
- 2.1 Scene One-Two
  - [2.1.1 Scene One: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-1-scene-one-summary.md)
  - [2.1.2 Scene One: Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-2-scene-one-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.1.3 Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-3-scene-two-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.1.4 End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-4-end-of-topic-test-scenes-one-two.md)
- 2.2 Scene Three-Four
  - [2.2.1 Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-1-scene-three-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.2.2 Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-2-scene-four-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-scenes-three-and-four.md)
- 2.3 Scenes Five-Eigth
  - [2.3.1 Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-1-scene-five-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.3.2 Scene Six: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-2-scene-six-summary.md)
  - [2.3.3 Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-3-scene-seven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.3.4 Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-4-scene-eight-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-scenes-five-eight.md)
- 2.4 Scenes Nine-Eleven
  - [2.4.1 Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-1-scene-nine-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.4.2 Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-2-scene-ten-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.4.3 Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-3-scene-eleven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md)
  - [2.4.4 End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-4-end-of-topic-test-scenes-nine-eleven.md)

### 3 Character Profiles
- 3.1 Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski
  - [3.1.1 Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-1-blanche-dubois-the-past-and-illusions.md)
  - [3.1.2 Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-2-blanche-dubois-relationship-with-men-and-breakdown.md)
  - [3.1.3 The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-3-the-dynamic-between-blanche-and-stanley.md)
  - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-blanche-and-stanley.md)
- 3.2 Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
  - [3.2.1 Stella Kowalski](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-2-1-stella-kowalski.md)
  - [3.2.2 Harold Mitchell (Mitch)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-2-2-harold-mitchell-mitch.md)
- 3.3 Minor Characters
  - [3.3.1 The Hubbels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-1-the-hubbels.md)
  - [3.3.2 Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-2-other-characters.md)
  - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-stella-mitch-and-others.md)

### 4 Key Ideas
- 4.1 Sex & Gender
  - [4.1.1 Sex & Desire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-1-sex-and-desire.md)
  - [4.1.2 Masculinity & Femininity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-2-masculinity-and-femininity.md)
  - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-sex-desire-and-gender.md)
- 4.2 Appearances, Fantasy & Reality
  - [4.2.1 Outer & Inner Appearances](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-1-outer-and-inner-appearances.md)
  - [4.2.2 Fantasy & Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-2-fantasy-and-reality.md)
  - [4.2.3 End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-3-end-of-topic-test-appearances-fantasy.md)

### 5 Writing Techniques
- 5.1 Structure
  - [5.1.1 Structure & Stage Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-1-structure-and-stage-design.md)
  - [5.1.2 Linking Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-2-linking-devices.md)
  - [5.1.3 Recurring Motifs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-3-recurring-motifs.md)
- 5.2 Genre, Form & Language
  - [5.2.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-1-genre.md)
  - [5.2.2 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-2-form-and-language.md)
  - [5.2.3 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-3-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md)

### 6 Critical Debates
- 6.1 Early & Modern Reception
  - [6.1.1 Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-1-1-interpreting-blanche-and-self-pity.md)
  - [6.1.2 Contemporary & Modern Reviews](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-1-2-contemporary-and-modern-reviews.md)
- 6.2 Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach
  - [6.2.1 Feminist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-1-feminist-approach.md)
  - [6.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-2-psychoanalytic-approach.md)
  - [6.2.3 Marxist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-3-marxist-approach.md)
  - [6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-4-end-of-topic-test-critical-debates.md)

### 7 Ideas About Tragedy
- 7.1 Ideas About Tragedy
  - [7.1.1 Tragic Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-1-tragic-ideas.md)
  - [7.1.2 Tragic Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-2-tragic-villain.md)
  - [7.1.3 Tragic Structure & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-3-tragic-structure-and-language.md)
  - [7.1.4 Tragic Plots & Sub-Plots](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-4-tragic-plots-and-sub-plots.md)

### 8 Recap: Main Quotes
- 8.1 Main Quotes by Scene
  - [8.1.1 Scene One - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-1-scene-one-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.2 Scene Two - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-2-scene-two-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.3 Scene Three - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-3-scene-three-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.4 Scene Four - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-4-scene-four-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.5 Scene Five - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-5-scene-five-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.6 Scene Six - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-6-scene-six-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.7 Scene Seven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-7-scene-seven-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.8 Scene Eight - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-8-scene-eight-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.9 Scene Nine - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-9-scene-nine-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.10 Scene Ten - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-10-scene-ten-quotations.md)
  - [8.1.11 Scene Eleven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-11-scene-eleven-quotations.md)