Streetcar Named Desire Illusion Vs Reality Essay
In a Streetcar Named Desire - there is a conflict between Illusion and reality, Blanche Dubois arrives in New Orleans with the impression of a patronising, wealthy school teacher who has no time for those who she believes to be below her class as we see in her rudeness to Eunice at the very beginning. As the play progresses we see that Blanche is merely projecting a persona which hides both her past and the inevitably grim future that awaits her. On the other side we have Blanche’s brother-in-law Stanley who acts in opposition of the illusion which Blanche has created and takes it upon himself to expose Blanche for what she really is. Blanche like all human beings is not infallible in her illusion as her own body and actions betray her at times
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Blanche tells Stella of Stanley’s rape however Stella shortly after giving birth doesn’t believe her and instead chooses Stanley over her own sister. We cannot totally fault Stella for forsaking her sister, it is a decision made with the future in mind for her and her baby “When Stella chooses him (Stanley) over Blanche we understand she is choosing survival of the species rather than the dream of a dead past” Stanley is the provider for her family and she must remain with him. Adhering to his animal instincts Stanley has defeated Blanche and remains the king of his household by exposing her past, therefore chasing away her only remaining suitor Mitch and finally by the brutal act of rape, “having been raped by the man of the house in which she sought refuge, her mind unhinges.” At the time of production it was believed that Stanley should be punished for his crime and that the poetic character of Blanche should not have such a bleak end, but like the play, Williams is more concerned with portraying a realistic ending rather than creating an ending more digestible for the audience, “We know that Williams uncensored ending was more realistic.”
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[ 1 ]. Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays (London, Penguin Books, 1959) p 120
[ 2 ]. Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays (London, Penguin Books, 1959) p 127
[ 3 ]. Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays (London, Penguin Books, 1959) p
Blanche tells Stella of Stanley’s rape however Stella shortly after giving birth doesn’t believe her and instead chooses Stanley over her own sister. We cannot totally fault Stella for forsaking her sister, it is a decision made with the future in mind for her and her baby “When Stella chooses him (Stanley) over Blanche we understand she is choosing survival of the species rather than the dream of a dead past” Stanley is the provider for her family and she must remain with him. Adhering to his animal instincts Stanley has defeated Blanche and remains the king of his household by exposing her past, therefore chasing away her only remaining suitor Mitch and finally by the brutal act of rape, “having been raped by the man of the house in which she sought refuge, her mind unhinges.” At the time of production it was believed that Stanley should be punished for his crime and that the poetic character of Blanche should not have such a bleak end, but like the play, Williams is more concerned with portraying a realistic ending rather than creating an ending more digestible for the audience, “We know that Williams uncensored ending was more realistic.”
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[ 1 ]. Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays (London, Penguin Books, 1959) p 120
[ 2 ]. Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays (London, Penguin Books, 1959) p 127
[ 3 ]. Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays (London, Penguin Books, 1959) p