There's no denying that sex plays a big role in A Streetcar Named Desire—heck, desire is even included in the title. But this shouldn't scare you from teaching the play; instead you might want to tackle the issue head on. It's bound to pique your students' interest, after all.

And here's the thing: looked at from a less salacious angle, all this sex offers you a great chance to explore censorship with your class. How so? By digging into the Hays Code, the rules that governed the production of most movies released by Hollywood studios from roughly 1930 to 1968, and its impact on a play like A Streetcar Named Desire (this is especially relevant if you're planning to watch the 1951 film version). Have students point out themes or scenes that might not make the Hays cut, and discuss their value to the work. Are they essential? Gratuitous? How does the play change without them?