Abstract
Women’s social status, female rights and the relationship between genders have become
one of the most important hot issues being studied in contemporary society. And novels, plays,
as well as other sorts of literary works, which serve as a mirror reflecting society of different
specific times, have been reckoned as excellent research objects. A Streetcar Named Desire,
written by Thomas Lanier Williams III, also known as Tennessee Williams, is an outstanding
playscript full of contradictions and conflict between male and female, making it a feasible and
suitable work to be analyzed from the perspective of feminism literary critics. What’s more, this
play has awarded Pulitzer Price which makes it more valuable to be researched. Western theories
on feminism are more systematic and mature than domestic counterpart, as the western scholars
have conducted massive studies on feminism literary critics while Chinese scholars haven’t
developed on this topic until past five decades. Thus, this thesis will generally analyze A
Streetcar Named Desire, employing relevant theories of western feminism literary critics
(studies by American scholars mostly) ,focusing on the gender inequality against females, female
desperation and the lost right of female speech, to unveil the real living situation of female
protagonists—Blanche and Stella in the patriarchal dominance society (specifically, Stanley’s
dominance in this play). This thesis will generally magnify how Tennessee Williams has
represented his female figures, especially Stella and Blanche, in this play, and, how patriarchal
influences the characters.
Key Words: Desire number street car; feminism; gender inequality; literary criticism;
patriarchal system
