Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-1-genre [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [English Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature.md) › [Cambridge International](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international.md) › Genre # Genre Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 5.2.1 ## Genre _A Streetcar Named Desire_ may simultaneously be described as a story of modern times, a tragedy, a fable about the American South and a love story. ### Elements explained ![Elements explained](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f65f5787-a30b-46c1-a459-b183d6bf817f/right-wrong-ethics-morals-.jpg) - In short, these four elements come together to make the overall narrative about ‘destructive passion’. - We already know much about it being a love story and a tragedy. - By fable, we mean that it contains many archetypes and that within the narrative, there is a moral message for the reader. ### Tragic features ![Tragic features](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/b3504cd0-795f-4f30-9aaa-9fa3a30a1df4/tragedy-drama.png) - We know that tragedies in modern times often consider the following generic elements and these elements are repeated time and time again within the play: - Anti-heroes are depicted. Both Stanley and Blanche are anti-heroes. Characters are ordinary people and not ‘great’ men or women. - Although family life is essential, it is presented as somehow inadequate. Maybe it does not live up to the American Dream. The inadequacy of family life may undermine the characters’ faith in the system. ### Tragic features (cont.) ![Tragic features (cont.)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/73d35e89-2ebd-4dbd-a75a-18d839fe0b06/brain-1845962_1920.jpg) - The world is full of deceit and that dreams turn out to be illusory and fleeting. - Often, characters are seen as manipulators and they vie for control and power like caged animals. - There is often an emphasis on the psychological aspects of characters. The was because the notion of psychology and psycho-analysis developed greatly in the twentieth century. It is clear from the play that the disorder of the world sometimes matches a disorder of the mind. ### Tragic features (cont.) ![Tragic features (cont.)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.2.3%20Radioactive%20decay/time-430625_640.jpg) - In earlier plays, the tragedy looks ‘outwards’. In modern tragedies, the text looks ‘inwards’. - Usually, there is some element of the past which impinges on the present, and this is certainly true of _A Streetcar Named Desire_. ## Test yourself on Genre - What four elements combine to make _A Streetcar Named Desire_ a narrative about destructive passion? - How are characters often presented in modern tragedies? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ad22e856-96b3-43a8-b7b6-33dcaf9f3494/section/06d1a7f2-de74-4ccc-a474-4f9e9558ad0c/session) - Previous topic: [5.1.3 Recurring Motifs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-3-recurring-motifs.md) - Next topic: [5.2.2 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-2-form-and-language.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)