Streetcar Named Desire

Emely Aguilar

English

Dr. Rutledge

An Individual

Tennessee William’s, A Streetcar Named Desire, revolves around a lonesome delusional Blanche DuBois. She goes to New Orleans to visit her sister Stella and husband Stanley because of financial difficulties (losing the family home), though she was fired for seducing her 17 year student. Blacnche is depicted as a proper and prim lady and who fabricates stories of being desired by every man she crosses. While living in her own imaginary world; she tries to show off by wearing fancy gowns and jewelry. However, this is merely a front to the real Blanch; she is caught between her past and her present self; unable to let her past go, and she fights desperately to continue on the outside. Blanche’s illusions and wants to be desired by men ultimately becomes her downfall.

      At first Blanche gives the illusion of being happy, but little does anyone know that she struggles to find companionship. One example of her illusion is when she makes the comment to Stanley: “Oh, in my youth I excited some admiration. But look at me know! Would you think it possible that I was once considered to be – attractive?” (2349) one may think she is flirting with Stanley to boost her ego or possibly she was flirting with him since she is jealous of her sister’s marriage to Stanley. Blanche also refers to her sister as “The poor little thing” (2350), because she wanted to instill the illusion of Stanley wanting her and putting doubt in Stella’s mind that maybe Stanley is attracted to Blanche.

      Blanche furthered her illusion of a Southern Belle pure, innocent and untouched when she met Mitch a sensitive and gentle natured man: “Honey, it wasn’t the kiss I objected to. I liked the kiss very much. I was the other – familiarity – that I – felt obligated to – discouraged…. I didn’t resent it! Not a bit in the world! In fact, I was somewhat flattered that you – desired me! But honey, you know as well as I do that a... [continues]

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