A Streetcar Named Desire Memory Analysis

The past for some can be filled with joyful memories and happiness while to others can stir up feeling of grief and sorrow and can be representative of all the mistakes made. These memories can be very influential on essentially every aspect of one’s life, from emotional stability to decision-making abilities. Tennessee Williams in his contemporary play, A Streetcar named Desire, shows the significance of the memories of the past in the life of a young female protagonist. Blanche Debois’ past memories have contributed to her development as a character, her delusional behaviour and her foreshadowed demise as a tragic heroine. The playwright showcases the significance of the memories of one’s past and its direct correlation and effects on the development of one’s character, one’s ability to cope with reality, and one’s future. Blanche Debois is a happily married school teacher who lives in Laurel, Mississippi in ‘a great big place with white columns.’ She enjoys her days in her world containing ‘continued round of entertainments, teas, cocktails, and luncheons’ and lives life without a care in the world. Her world is shattered, however, when Blanche is assumed to take all responsibilities of the deaths of countless relatives. All these deaths and funerals result in immense amounts of financial debt which Blanche is unable to manage, and in turn, is forced to give up
It can either force one to become stronger and cause us to learn from one’s mistakes, or it can do the contrary and hinder one’s ability. In Tennessee William’s play, A Streetcar Named Desire, the protagonist is a prime example of how the past plays a significant role in affecting the future. Regardless of whether the memories of the past highlight or hinder one’s ability, it can be seen that the past plays a very significant role in the development of one’s character and identity, one’s ability to cope with reality and the outcome of the