A Streetcar Named Desire Analysis

Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire investigates the power of externally driven and social influences upon the expectations and manifestations of relationships. Williams criticises social inequality and division between those who support the ‘old money’ and those in the ideals of the ‘American Dream’. He critiques the projected impressions that they create, surrounding the differing life expectations and the subsequent disconnect between members of the classes. In turn, his drama also examines the enormous impact of internal influences such as mental illness upon the construction and preservation of successful relationships, echoing the need for support and honesty in dealings with others.
Williams creates a tension between the social
Blanche casts a façade of the American Dream, which she has not earned, which eventually dissolves the relationships she has. Stanley represents the American Dream by which all men are born equal and can succeed equally, and as referenced by Stanley, the Napoleonic code re-enforces this idea, “We have the Napoleonic code according to which belongs to the wife belongs to the husband and vice versa.” In turn, Blanche represents the old world, where class and race are still important drawcards. This is shown in the plastic theatre used throughout the play and in the stage direction, “The Polka music was heard.” Blanche’s values are shown in her assumption that Stella would marry into an appropriate class, “An officer?” By referring to Stanley’s immigrant heritage, “Polacks?” she derogatorily shuns him. The American Dream has been subverted for Blanche due to her loss of status, the forfeiture of Belle Reve, the symbol of her ‘sweet dreams’ and relationship struggles. Thus, Williams portrays the disjuncture between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ America and the sense of entitlement that was to be destroyed in post-war society and the ongoing impact of this movement on personal