How are the women in both Trifles and Streetcar mistreated by the men in their lives?

You will write a 3-5 page clear, coherent and unified analytical/argumentative essay which demonstrates your understanding of the plays we have read, Trifles and A Streetcar Named Desire and showcases your ability to analyze a work, based on the themes we have discussed. You need to make a connection between the two ideas, characters, plays, whatever you like. Keep in mind that you want to analyze the theme of the texts. Choose at topic or angle that you liked the most, one that spoke to you so you have plenty to say about it. Remember, this is an argumentative essay; therefore you must present a specific argument (thesis) and defend it using textual evidence and analysis. Your thesis needs to be focused; your paper should be tight and concise. Your thesis is the statement that connects the two ideas. I will be looking for a unique connection that shows your deep thinking and analysis of the works we have studied. (Note, if you would like to compare one of the plays to one of the short stories or poems we have read, that is ok, as long as one of the texts you are writing about is a play. For example, comparing the lonely Blanche to the lonely Eleanor Rigby; or comparing veteran Stanley to veteran Krebs; or comparing the lack of respect for women’s work in Trifles to “Boys and Girls”)
You are writing a compare and contrast essay, which means you are looking for similarities and differences between two things, (characters, works, themes, etc.) and your thesis is the statement that connects them.
Two topics: A & B
Thesis: A+B
Remember to have a strong thesis, something you are trying to prove. This is an example of a WEAK thesis, which does not say anything: “Blanche and Stella have similarities and differences.” This is vague and empty, and not an argument. A STRONG thesis would be this: “In Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire sisters Blanche and Stella have different tastes in men, Blanche preferring a sensitive man while Stella loves a rough guy, but they both fall prey to illusions and lies regarding those men.”
Structure:
Keep in mind that compare and contrast essays look for similarities and differences amongst two or multiple works, but that does not mean that both similarities and differences get equal time: you might find the similarities more interesting to write about than the differences or vice versa. You just want to make sure you do both. Also the structure of the compare and contrast essay will vary depending on your specific topic and your style: you might use the ABABAB approach or AAABBB; choose the one that stylistically and organizationally works best for your topic.
Possible Topics:
Blanche and Stanley are very different, which is why they butt heads from the start. What are the major differences between them? How do those differences get in the way of mutual understanding? Do they have anything in common? Think of Old South vs. New South.
Mitch and Stanley have similar backgrounds and are good friends. Yet they are not alike. What are the differences between Mitch and Stanley? How does Blanche highlight their difference?
Stella and Blanche are sisters, with similar upbringing. How are they different from one another? How does Stanley highlight their differences? What do they have in common? (think of illusions, fantasy)
How are the women in both Trifles and Streetcar mistreated by the men in their lives?

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