1. Revision Overview For A Level
Streetcar
Revision Overview
For
A Level

2. PLOT OVERVIEW – write a paragraph or two to summarise the overall plot
SCENE BY SCENE – one or two bullet points for each scene

3. FORM PLAY – use specific literary terminology
Consider DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES and how they are used to create meaning
TRAGEDY – relate to prior knowledge from Summer Plan, Tess, Wuthering Heights, Hamlet
“A WELL-MADE PLAY” – Aristotle's 3 unities and their effects

4. CHARACTERS
Make sure you have detailed notes on each of the main characters (Blanche, Stella, Stanley, Mitch) to include:
Back story
What happens to them in the play
How William’s uses them to represent values and attitudes
The methods Williams uses to present them
Consider what the minor characters represent
Know key quotations for each theme

5. THEMES/ISSUES/CONCERNS
Have a detailed list of key themes/ideas/concerns
Consider how Williams presents these
Interpret what you think Williams is saying about each one
Consider how contexts affect interpretations and responses
Know key quotations for each theme

6. CONTEXTS Know the key relevant features of contexts:
Social (attitudes towards women, homosexuality, class, society in state in flux...)
Historical (American Civil War, WW2...)
Literary (Tragedy, Southern gothic, European Theatre, American Theatre)
Biographical (Williams’ life events and culture)
Understand how these affect meaning (implied) and interpretation (received)

7. STRUCTURE 11 scenes (no acts)
Dramatic impact of the strong endings in each scene
Narrative structure (exposition/conflicts/rising action/climax/resolution)
Tragic structure

8. LANGUAGE Dialogue (contrasts) Imagery Detailed stage directions
Symbolism
Naturalism
Realism
Expressionism

9. STYLE
Naturalism
Realism
Expressionism

10. SETTINGS Places: country/state/towns/districts/streets the flat Era
Seasons/months
Time of day