bbc bitesize higher english critical essay

A Streetcar Named Desire: Language and Imagery

Understanding language and imagery.

• “A Streetcar Named Desire” is celebrated for its rich language and vivid imagery which helps communicate the tensions, themes and personalities of the characters.
• Tennessee Williams cleverly uses various literary devices such as symbolism, metaphors, and figurative language to add layers of interpretation to the play.
• Understanding this can enhance one’s appreciation of the depth of portrayal and insightfulness of the play.
• The streetcar itself is a powerful symbol, reflecting the path that Blanche has taken in her life. Its name - ‘Desire’ - represents her past promiscuity while ‘Cemeteries’, its final destination, could represent the end of Blanche’s life as she knows it.
• Light and Darkness : Blanche’s constant need to hide her age and her past is emphasized through the frequent mentions of light, shadows and darkness. Light represents reality, which Blanche fears, while darkness stands for illusion and secrecy.
• The paper lantern she puts over the bulb is another symbol representing her attempts to mask and soften the harsh truth of her life.

Metaphors and Figurative Language

• Animalistic Imagery : Williams frequently uses animal metaphors particularly to describe Stanley’s behaviour, emphasizing his primal, raw, and physical nature.
• Floral Imagery : Blanche is often associated with flowers, signifying her frailty, delicacy and transient beauty.
• Tarantula Arms : This metaphor underscores Stanley’s predatory nature against Blanche’s delicate vulnerability.

Significant Quotes

• “They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at - Elysian Fields!” – Blanche’s arrival sets up the symbolic trajectory of her character through the play.
• “I can hardly stand it when he is away for the night” - Stella’s description of Stanley uses sensual, passionate language that demonstrates their carnal relationship.
• Stanley’s description of Blanche as “the Queen of the Nile setting in state” is heavily saturated with sarcasm , highlighting his sneering contempt for her pretentious airs.

Key Themes Highlighted Through Language and Imagery

• Illusion vs. reality : The deceptive nature of Blanche’s character and her desire to escape the reality of her past are amplified through symbolic use of light and darkness.
• Animalistic Desire : Stanley’s raw and primitive character is emphasized through repeated use of animal metaphors.
• Decay and death : The journey of the streetcar and its final destination, the decay of Blanche’s beauty and former life, all point towards the pervading theme of decay and death.

Studying the Use of Language and Imagery

• An understanding of Williams’ use of language and imagery adds depth to the character analyis, offering insights into their motivations, conflicts, and complex personalities.
• Attention to these details will provide a richer analysis in your critical essay, supporting your interpretations and arguments with textual evidence.

Hillhead High School English Department

Practice critical essay questions.

Here are some critical essay questions organised by genre. Take time to plan out the structure of your essay, consider key quotations/features of your text. To challenge yourself, try a question under timed conditions (without notes!!)

• Choose a novel of short story in which setting in time and/or place is an important feature. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has portrayed this setting and how this has influenced your response to the text.
• Choose a novel or a short story which presents a theme that is relevant to you. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has explored this theme.
• Choose a novel or a short story where an important character clearly shows development of change . By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has portrayed development and how this influences your response to the text.
• Choose a novel or a short story where you can identify a key moment such as a turning point or climax. By referring to appropriate techniques, describe the key moment and then go on to discuss its importance to the text as a whole.
• Choose a novel in which a character makes a decision which you consider unexpected or unwise or unworthy. Explain the circumstances surrounding the decision and discuss its importance to your understanding of character and theme in the novel as a whole.
• Choose a novel which explores conflict . Explain the events which lead to the conflict and how the conflict is (or is not resolved).

• Choose a play in which you feel sympathy for a character.
• Choose from a play which explores an important issue/issues within society
• Choose a play in which a power struggle is central to the action.
• Choose a play in which there is an important theme such as love, hate, betrayal, friendship, loyalty etc.
• Choose a play that builds to a climax . Describe how the playwright build up to the climax and then, by referring to appropriate techniques, go on to explain why the climax is vital to the play as a whole.
• Choose a play where your attitude to the main character changes as the play progresses . By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the character’s nature is portrayed, then go on to show how our attitude changes towards him/her.
• Choose a play in which the main character experiences conflict. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain what the conflict is, then go on to show how the playwright’s portrayal of the conflict influences our response to the play.

• Choose a poem in which the poet creates a vivid sense of a particular time or a particular place . Discuss how the poet’s vivid depiction of time or place adds to your appreciation of the central concern(s) of the poem.
• Choose a poem with a moral or social or political theme . Discuss, with reference to appropriate techniques, how the poet’s presentation of the theme deepens your understanding of the poem as a whole.
• C hoose a poem in which the poet effectively creates a character or persona . Discuss, with reference to appropriate techniques, how the poet’s effective
• Choose a poem which takes as its starting point a memorable experience. Discuss how the poet’s presentation of the experience helps you to appreciate its significance
• Choose a poem which is written in a particular poetic form or which has a particularly effective structure.

• Choose a piece of writing in which the writer’s use of language engages your interest in his/her portrayal of a country or culture. Discuss how the writer uses language to successfully engage your interest in this portrayal.
• Choose a work of non-fiction in which the writer’s description of an emotional experience creates a powerful impression. Briefly explain the emotional experience and then discuss how the writer’s description of this experience creates this powerful impression.
• Choose a piece of journalism in which the writer persuades his or her reader to a point of view by effective use of language. Briefly explain the writer’s point of view, and then discuss how the writer’s use of language is effective in persuading the reader.
• Choose a non-fiction text which recreates a moment in time. Discuss how the description effectively recreates this moment and show how important this is to your appreciation of the text as a whole
• Choose a non-fiction text which is structured in a particularly effective way. Explain how the structure enhances the impact of the writer’s message.
• Choose a non-fiction text which made you consider your views about a social or political or ethical issue. Explain what the issue is and how the writer uses language effectively to engage you.
• Choose a piece of writing which engages you not only intellectually but also emotionally. Explain how the writer successfully engages both your mind and your emotions.
• Choose a work of writing in which the writer brings a key incident vividly to life. Explain how the writer brings the incident vividly to life and how they contribute to your understanding of the person involved.
• Choose a work of non-fiction in which the writer expresses outrage or shock about an issue which you feel is important. Explain how the writer conveys the emotion and discuss to what extent this emotional appeal enhances your understanding of the issue.
• Choose a piece of travel writing in which the writer’s own personality emerges as a significant feature. Explain how the style of writing conveys a sense of the writer’s personality and discuss what extent this is important to your understanding to the key idea(s) of the text.
• Choose a non-fiction text which is written in the specific form of a diary or a journal or a letter. Discuss to what extent the writer’s exploration of specific features of the chosen form is important in conveying key idea(s) of the text.
• Choose a piece of journalism which, in your opinion, deals with a fundamental truth about human nature. Explain how the writer’s presentation of key ideas enhances your understanding of this fundamental truth.
• Choose a work of non-fiction in which vivid description is an important feature. Explain in detail how the vivid impression is created and discuss how it contributes to your appreciation of the text as a whole.
• Choose a work of biography or autobiography which you feel is inspirational or moving. Explain how the writer evokes this response and discuss why you find the text inspirational or moving.
• Choose a piece of journalism which presents difficult or challenging ideas in an accessible way. Explain what is difficult or challenging about the writer’s ideas and discuss how she or he presents them in an accessible way
• Choose a piece of non-fiction writing in which the writer’s presentation of an experience triggers an emotional response from you. Give a brief description of the experience and then, in more detail, discuss how the writer’s presentation of this description evokes this strong emotional response.
• Choose a non-fiction text which explores a significant aspect of political or cultural life. Discuss how the writer’s presentation enhances your understanding of the chosen aspect of political or cultural life and how this impacts on your appreciation of the text as a whole.
• Choose an example of biography or autobiography which gives you a detailed insight into a person’s life. Explain how the writer’s presentation made you think deeply about the person and his or her life, enhancing your overall appreciation of the text.
• Choose a non-fiction text which is set in a society that is different to the one in which we live. Briefly explain what is significantly different and discuss how the writer made you aware of this.
• Choose a non-fiction text in which the writer’s ability to evoke a sense of place is very important to the success of the text. Show how the writer’s presentation of the location(s) enhanced your appreciation of the text.
• Choose a non-fiction text in which the writer presents a strong point of view on a particular subject. Briefly explain what the writer’s view is and discuss in detail how this view is presented convincingly.
• Choose a work of biography and autobiography which you feel is written with great insight and/or sensitivity. Discuss, in detail, how the writer’s presentation of this life leads you to this conclusion.
• Choose a non-fiction text in which the writer puts forward a view of a social issue. Briefly explain what the issue is and discuss how effective the writer is in influencing you to share his or her point of view.
• Choose a non-fiction text in which the style of writing is an important factor in your appreciation of the writer’s ideas. Discuss in detail how features of this style enhanced your appreciation of the text as a whole.