Old V New America - A Streetcar Named Desire & The Help - Compare and contrast table in A Level and IB English Literature


	Old V New America - A Streetcar Named Desire & The Help
	Similarities Blanche = protagonist - represents Old American Southern values (or at least tries to) - Hilly - antagonist also represents these values (or a subverted form of them) Elizabeth Leefolt - someone who would benefit from New American ideals about class - clings to Old American ideals through her desperation to be liked by Hilly Skeeter's Mother - represents Old American values but is not unlikable - has been pressured by social expectations to act as she does - is also a victim Mitch - New American values retain Old American values surrounding sex - Stuart's opinion of his ex-girlfriend	Differences Stanley - antagonist - represents New American values (as do Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny) - in both texts New America wins against Old America Stella - grew up with Old American values, has sacrificed these to have sexual freedom and happiness with Stanley - selfish? - forsakes her sister and refuses to believe her about the **** Celia and Johnny = hope for the future Celia's friendship with Minny - crosses colour boundaries - represents New American racial values Skeeter's father - Doesn't know that some of his values align with New American ones, but perpetuates compassion anyway
	Overall comparison New America wins in both texts - but is not perfect (but definitely less racist

Blanche = protagonist - represents Old American Southern values (or at least tries to) - Hilly - antagonist also represents these values (or a subverted form of them)
Elizabeth Leefolt - someone who would benefit from New American ideals about class - clings to Old American ideals through her desperation to be liked by Hilly
Skeeter's Mother - represents Old American values but is not unlikable - has been pressured by social expectations to act as she does - is also a victim
Mitch - New American values retain Old American values surrounding sex - Stuart's opinion of his ex-girlfriend

Stanley - antagonist - represents New American values (as do Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny) - in both texts New America wins against Old America
Stella - grew up with Old American values, has sacrificed these to have sexual freedom and happiness with Stanley - selfish? - forsakes her sister and refuses to believe her about the ****
Celia and Johnny = hope for the future
Celia's friendship with Minny - crosses colour boundaries - represents New American racial values
Skeeter's father - Doesn't know that some of his values align with New American ones, but perpetuates compassion anyway

New America wins in both texts - but is not perfect (but definitely less racist

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