A Street Car Named Desire

Reality Versus Fantasy In Tennessee Williams' “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the obsessive need to escape from reality defines the protagonist Blanche DuBois. Haunted by the fact that she incited the suicide of her young husband, Blanche is unable to cope with what has since become of her life. She relies on fables and illusions to reconstruct a more socially acceptable self. However, the antagonistic relationship between Blanche and Stanley Kowalski threatens her fantasy, as he continuously confronts her with reality and threatens to shatter the illusions others have about her. Stanley represents complete realism and Blanche is fantastical and idealistic. Thus, the interactions between the two are clearly representative of the struggle between reality and fantasy in the play. A struggle in which reality triumphs as Blanche ultimately becomes unable to deferintiate between the truth and her lies. From the very beginning of the play, it is clear that the world Blanche lives in a fantasy land. A world in which her indiscretions and lack of wealth do not affect her status as an aristocratic lady. Throughout the play, Blanche plays the part of the southern belle; a polished persona that does not reflect who she truly is. In scene 3, when the men are playing poker, she walks into the room and says “please don't get up,” even though nothing indicates that they will stand (3.38). By simply saying this, Blanche indicates that men standing up when she enters the room is the kind of customary gallantry she is used to. Thus, she further reinforces the illusion that she is a southern belle. However, in the very same scene, Blanche stands in front of the light in very thin and white clothing to purposely expose herself in front of a room of male strangers. And yet, even exhibiting behavior better attributed to a harlot than a southern belle does not seem to have any affect Blanche's delusions of being a respectable woman. Though Blanche is clearly a master of