1. Exploring An American Canonical Play A Streetcar Named Desire (1947)
By Tennessee Williams

2. Bellwork

3. Agenda MUGShot Sentence/ACT Practice “Streetcar” plot summary
Compare/Contrast how Blanche & Stanley are portrayed in original text vs. other interpretations.
Read scene 3 of “Streetcar”
Watch scene 3 of 1951 movie version
View & analyze artistic renderings
Complete comparison chart
Why might this play be considered canonical?

4. Streetcar Named Desire: Plot Summary
Today, we'll read an excerpt from a play called "A Streetcar Named Desire." To understand the excerpt, you need to know what the whole story is about. Pay attention to this plot overview:

5. A Streetcar Named Desire – scene 3 – The Poker Night
I need volunteers to read for: Stanley, Blanche, Stella, Mitch, Steve, Pablo, Eunice.
As we read, consider:
How are Blanche and Stanley portrayed? What evidence suggests this?
Why is this play part of the American Literary Canon?

6. A Streetcar Named Desire – scene 3 – The Poker Night (Original Text)
Fill out chart
A Streetcar Named Desire – scene 3 – The Poker Night (1951 movie version)
A Streetcar Named Desire - Artistic renderings of scenes & characters

7. Exit Slip Using your chart, answer the following question.
In a paragraph, compare and contrast how Blanche is portrayed in the original text and the subsequent interpretations.
In a paragraph, compare and contrast how Stanley is portrayed in the original text and the subsequent interpretations.
3. Why do you think A Streetcar Named Desire is often considered a part of the American Literary Canon?