A Streetcar Named Desire
“I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! (9.117). Magic, is often associated with the concept of circumventing reality. Individuals try to live unconstrained within their fantasy when they dislike the way that reality appears to be for the. In “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams protagonist, Blanche Dubois finds herself to be in a situation of living in illusion instead of reality. Williams’s addresses the importance of individuals who attempt to live unconstrained, through Blanche. Through her elusion 0f reality, her fantasy meets the inconvenience of Stanley Kowalski, who poses as reality. Through the ups and downs of fantasy attempting to prevail unrestricted in the presence of reality, the characters of the play
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learn more about themselves, and specifically about Blanche. When individuals attempt to live unconstrained by circumstance, they may deny their circumstances, fall into deep illusion of life, and their deceits may be exploited. As a result they may become disapproved of and/or lost within their fantasy.
When Blanche Dubois comes to New Orleans’s to stay with her sister, she comes with a happy face on. Yet beneath her beauty and extravagance, she comes to detest that she is poor and the circumstances that have befallen her. When readers are introduced to the play, they are brought to “the exterior of a two-story corner building on a street in New Orleans which is named Elysian Fields” (Williams 13). The significance of the play being set in New Orleans allows for readers to understand the conflict to come and recognize that the setting is important to the drama.
New Orleans represents the theme of new and old, or past and present. New Orleans is a place that is known for its culture and the contrast between old French architecture and the new jazz music, especially for the play being set during the 1950’s. These contrasts allow for the conflicts to come seeming more appropriate as the environment suggests it. When Balance Dubois comes to stay with her sister Stella, she claims that their family mansion, Belle Reve, has been taken from them. When she tells Stella what has happened to it, she upholds the claim that she fought to keep it. “But you are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I! I stayed, and fought for it” (Williams 26). The name “Belle Reve” is translated from french into the English phrase of “sweet dreams.” The irony that comes from the name of “sweet dreams,” is that it can refer to losing something, which happened to the mansion. From this, readers are introduced to idea of fantasy. However, Blanche lost the old family mansion. How she lost it, she denies deeply and claims that it was taken from her in attempt to ignore how she really lost it. Blanche as well uses this as way to make Stella feel bad for leaving her and blaming …show more content…
her reality on Stella. When Blanche is stuck her sister’s house in New Orleans’s, she immediately dislikes that the house is very old and small, as well that it is not as elite as she would wish it to fit her needs. During one of her spats towards her house, she calls “Mr. Mitchell” in order to make herself seem more elite, and to bring her of high superiority. “Hello. Mr. Mitchell, please… Oh… I would like to leave a number if I may. Mongolia 9047. And say it’s important to call… Yes, very important… Thank you” (8. 108). In attempt to get away from the middle class lifestyle that her sister lives, Blanche calls a fake lover who is supposedly very rich. A prosperous life is the type of lifestyle that she believes is best suited to meet her needs, and as well it would meet a classification that should be for her magnitude. Not only is a glamorous life is what she needs, but so is a wealthy man to accompany her. Through Blanche’s hatred towards he circumstance of loss and as well as living middle-class, fantasy eventually takes over her relationships.
Her life now, is no longer prestigious and is not what she wants. In order to make reality seem more bearable, Blanche covers it up many lies in attempt to live unconstrained in her circumstance. From losing the Belle Reve, to living a middle-class life, Blanche hates that she is no longer rich. In the play, she never directly speaks of her hatred but it is found embedded within her many fantasies. When Stanley Kowalski questions Stella about Blanche’s stories, Stella feels that she has to explain as to why her sister spills her fantasy life out as her reality. “Blanche is sensitive and you’ve got to realize that Blanche and I grew up under very different circumstances than you did” (Williams 98). Stella realizes that Blanche and her once lived a first-class lifestyle. As she is her sister, Stella feels obligated to protect her and explain where Blanche is coming from. Blanche, is unaware of Stanley’s suspicions of her many illusions, this allows for her to spill more of her fantasy’s to cover her not-so perfect life which only grows his suspicions. Blanche lies to herself that she has not gotten older, she would rather pretend and look younger than to admit that time has passed. She feels that if people know her age they will not find her to be beautiful. “And turn that over-light off! Turn that off! I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare!” (1.19) In attempt from letting individuals know that she is older, or see any appearance suggesting older age, she prevents them from viewing herself in direct light. Thus, she will cover light bulbs or demand that any uncovered light bulbs be turned off as soon as possible, which can be taken from this quote. Blanche is no longer wealthy, in order to put on the illusion that she is. Doing so, she ensures that her attire is flamboyant and affluent. “Well, anyhow, I shall be entertained in style” (Williams 124). She feels that if she dresses classy and prestigious people will assume that she is a lady of wealth and to be admired for it. Her belief that appearance is at utmost importance is repeated many times throughout the play. From her exuberant baths, perfume and her clothing, it strengthens the illusion that she puts up. Whilst Blanche attempts to live unconstrained; reality posing as Stanley unenviably tears down her myriad fantasy.
In Blanche’s attempt to live a perfect life, Stanley not only suspects that her life is not perfect, but also he makes it his goal to ensure that she is a normal person who is deeply caught in denial and illusion. When Stanley begins to suspect that Blanche’s ‘perfect’ life is not as perfect as it seems, he confronts Stella one time while Blanche is in the bathroom. “But sister Blanche is no lily! Ha-ha! Some lily she is!” (Williams 99) In this quote, Stanley compares Blanche to a lily, something so pretty and pure. Blanche tries to be both of these things, however unknowingly she is not. Her uncountable lies destroy her purity, whilst her lavish attire and makeup make her beauty not natural. Stanley, knows that Stella loves her sister however he love is masking her ability to understand that her sister is lying to everyone and especially her. In order to make him seem sane towards the topic of Blanche, Stanley recognizes that if he is to convince Stella that Blanche is living under a dramatic illusion, he must be able to support his exclamation. When he finds out about her recent history, he knows that he cannot withhold the information from Stella and immediately confronts her about it. “That’s why she’s here this summer, visiting royalty, putting on all this act- because she’s practically told by the mayor to get out of town!” (Williams 100). From this point, readers are confirmed Stanley’s position as reality and they begin to suspect that Blanche is no longer the saint that she claims to be. Once Stanley has confirmed his suspicions to be correct, he soon confronts Blanche about her absurd and abundant lies. When Blanche tells Stanley another lie, he knows that she is lying to him and he explodes at her. He exclaims to her “there isn’t a goddamn thing but imagination… and lies and conceit and tricks” (Williams 127). This is one of the most important parts of the play because not only do the viewers know for sure that Blanche is stuck within her fantasy, but Stanley firmly establishes his force as reality onto Blanche. Around Stanley, he will not accept the unconstrained continuous lies. Throughout “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Blanche attempts to live unconstrained by her disliked circumstance, however Stanley Kowalski makes it his job to restrain her ambiguous freedom. He is able to achieve this through his hate of illusion. However through her fantasy, Blanche ultimately is lost within her fantasy and loses sense of reality.
Blanche Dubois comes into New Orleans posing as a prosperous teacher who is immersed in beauty.
Her life that she speaks of is soon learned that it is fraud. The illusions that she broadcasts are to conceal the life that she hates, make herself someone different yet ultimately her attempts are destroyed by reality. When individuals attempt to live unconstrained by circumstance, life can seem to be good for a while. Through illusion they can evade the circumstance, however eventually reality comes down. Tennessee Williams, author of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” addresses a characters attempt to live freely through the fate of Blanche Dubois’s life. Williams’s uses this play to warn individuals the harm that can come from living in illusion and ignoring reality. Fantasy and reality can both bring happiness, however if both are embraced to a certain extent, individuals learn the importance of grasping the concept of
both.
learn more about themselves, and specifically about Blanche. When individuals attempt to live unconstrained by circumstance, they may deny their circumstances, fall into deep illusion of life, and their deceits may be exploited. As a result they may become disapproved of and/or lost within their fantasy.
When Blanche Dubois comes to New Orleans’s to stay with her sister, she comes with a happy face on. Yet beneath her beauty and extravagance, she comes to detest that she is poor and the circumstances that have befallen her. When readers are introduced to the play, they are brought to “the exterior of a two-story corner building on a street in New Orleans which is named Elysian Fields” (Williams 13). The significance of the play being set in New Orleans allows for readers to understand the conflict to come and recognize that the setting is important to the drama.
New Orleans represents the theme of new and old, or past and present. New Orleans is a place that is known for its culture and the contrast between old French architecture and the new jazz music, especially for the play being set during the 1950’s. These contrasts allow for the conflicts to come seeming more appropriate as the environment suggests it. When Balance Dubois comes to stay with her sister Stella, she claims that their family mansion, Belle Reve, has been taken from them. When she tells Stella what has happened to it, she upholds the claim that she fought to keep it. “But you are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I! I stayed, and fought for it” (Williams 26). The name “Belle Reve” is translated from french into the English phrase of “sweet dreams.” The irony that comes from the name of “sweet dreams,” is that it can refer to losing something, which happened to the mansion. From this, readers are introduced to idea of fantasy. However, Blanche lost the old family mansion. How she lost it, she denies deeply and claims that it was taken from her in attempt to ignore how she really lost it. Blanche as well uses this as way to make Stella feel bad for leaving her and blaming …show more content…
her reality on Stella. When Blanche is stuck her sister’s house in New Orleans’s, she immediately dislikes that the house is very old and small, as well that it is not as elite as she would wish it to fit her needs. During one of her spats towards her house, she calls “Mr. Mitchell” in order to make herself seem more elite, and to bring her of high superiority. “Hello. Mr. Mitchell, please… Oh… I would like to leave a number if I may. Mongolia 9047. And say it’s important to call… Yes, very important… Thank you” (8. 108). In attempt to get away from the middle class lifestyle that her sister lives, Blanche calls a fake lover who is supposedly very rich. A prosperous life is the type of lifestyle that she believes is best suited to meet her needs, and as well it would meet a classification that should be for her magnitude. Not only is a glamorous life is what she needs, but so is a wealthy man to accompany her. Through Blanche’s hatred towards he circumstance of loss and as well as living middle-class, fantasy eventually takes over her relationships.
Her life now, is no longer prestigious and is not what she wants. In order to make reality seem more bearable, Blanche covers it up many lies in attempt to live unconstrained in her circumstance. From losing the Belle Reve, to living a middle-class life, Blanche hates that she is no longer rich. In the play, she never directly speaks of her hatred but it is found embedded within her many fantasies. When Stanley Kowalski questions Stella about Blanche’s stories, Stella feels that she has to explain as to why her sister spills her fantasy life out as her reality. “Blanche is sensitive and you’ve got to realize that Blanche and I grew up under very different circumstances than you did” (Williams 98). Stella realizes that Blanche and her once lived a first-class lifestyle. As she is her sister, Stella feels obligated to protect her and explain where Blanche is coming from. Blanche, is unaware of Stanley’s suspicions of her many illusions, this allows for her to spill more of her fantasy’s to cover her not-so perfect life which only grows his suspicions. Blanche lies to herself that she has not gotten older, she would rather pretend and look younger than to admit that time has passed. She feels that if people know her age they will not find her to be beautiful. “And turn that over-light off! Turn that off! I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare!” (1.19) In attempt from letting individuals know that she is older, or see any appearance suggesting older age, she prevents them from viewing herself in direct light. Thus, she will cover light bulbs or demand that any uncovered light bulbs be turned off as soon as possible, which can be taken from this quote. Blanche is no longer wealthy, in order to put on the illusion that she is. Doing so, she ensures that her attire is flamboyant and affluent. “Well, anyhow, I shall be entertained in style” (Williams 124). She feels that if she dresses classy and prestigious people will assume that she is a lady of wealth and to be admired for it. Her belief that appearance is at utmost importance is repeated many times throughout the play. From her exuberant baths, perfume and her clothing, it strengthens the illusion that she puts up. Whilst Blanche attempts to live unconstrained; reality posing as Stanley unenviably tears down her myriad fantasy.
In Blanche’s attempt to live a perfect life, Stanley not only suspects that her life is not perfect, but also he makes it his goal to ensure that she is a normal person who is deeply caught in denial and illusion. When Stanley begins to suspect that Blanche’s ‘perfect’ life is not as perfect as it seems, he confronts Stella one time while Blanche is in the bathroom. “But sister Blanche is no lily! Ha-ha! Some lily she is!” (Williams 99) In this quote, Stanley compares Blanche to a lily, something so pretty and pure. Blanche tries to be both of these things, however unknowingly she is not. Her uncountable lies destroy her purity, whilst her lavish attire and makeup make her beauty not natural. Stanley, knows that Stella loves her sister however he love is masking her ability to understand that her sister is lying to everyone and especially her. In order to make him seem sane towards the topic of Blanche, Stanley recognizes that if he is to convince Stella that Blanche is living under a dramatic illusion, he must be able to support his exclamation. When he finds out about her recent history, he knows that he cannot withhold the information from Stella and immediately confronts her about it. “That’s why she’s here this summer, visiting royalty, putting on all this act- because she’s practically told by the mayor to get out of town!” (Williams 100). From this point, readers are confirmed Stanley’s position as reality and they begin to suspect that Blanche is no longer the saint that she claims to be. Once Stanley has confirmed his suspicions to be correct, he soon confronts Blanche about her absurd and abundant lies. When Blanche tells Stanley another lie, he knows that she is lying to him and he explodes at her. He exclaims to her “there isn’t a goddamn thing but imagination… and lies and conceit and tricks” (Williams 127). This is one of the most important parts of the play because not only do the viewers know for sure that Blanche is stuck within her fantasy, but Stanley firmly establishes his force as reality onto Blanche. Around Stanley, he will not accept the unconstrained continuous lies. Throughout “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Blanche attempts to live unconstrained by her disliked circumstance, however Stanley Kowalski makes it his job to restrain her ambiguous freedom. He is able to achieve this through his hate of illusion. However through her fantasy, Blanche ultimately is lost within her fantasy and loses sense of reality.
Blanche Dubois comes into New Orleans posing as a prosperous teacher who is immersed in beauty.
Her life that she speaks of is soon learned that it is fraud. The illusions that she broadcasts are to conceal the life that she hates, make herself someone different yet ultimately her attempts are destroyed by reality. When individuals attempt to live unconstrained by circumstance, life can seem to be good for a while. Through illusion they can evade the circumstance, however eventually reality comes down. Tennessee Williams, author of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” addresses a characters attempt to live freely through the fate of Blanche Dubois’s life. Williams’s uses this play to warn individuals the harm that can come from living in illusion and ignoring reality. Fantasy and reality can both bring happiness, however if both are embraced to a certain extent, individuals learn the importance of grasping the concept of
both.