A Streetcar Named Desire

“I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! (9.117). Magic, is often associated with the concept of circumventing reality. Individuals try to live unconstrained within their fantasy when they dislike the way that reality appears to be for the. In “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams protagonist, Blanche Dubois finds herself to be in a situation of living in illusion instead of reality. Williams’s addresses the importance of individuals who attempt to live unconstrained, through Blanche. Through her elusion 0f reality, her fantasy meets the inconvenience of Stanley Kowalski, who poses as reality. Through the ups and downs of fantasy attempting to prevail unrestricted in the presence of reality, the characters of the play
New Orleans represents the theme of new and old, or past and present. New Orleans is a place that is known for its culture and the contrast between old French architecture and the new jazz music, especially for the play being set during the 1950’s. These contrasts allow for the conflicts to come seeming more appropriate as the environment suggests it. When Balance Dubois comes to stay with her sister Stella, she claims that their family mansion, Belle Reve, has been taken from them. When she tells Stella what has happened to it, she upholds the claim that she fought to keep it. “But you are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I! I stayed, and fought for it” (Williams 26). The name “Belle Reve” is translated from french into the English phrase of “sweet dreams.” The irony that comes from the name of “sweet dreams,” is that it can refer to losing something, which happened to the mansion. From this, readers are introduced to idea of fantasy. However, Blanche lost the old family mansion. How she lost it, she denies deeply and claims that it was taken from her in attempt to ignore how she really lost it. Blanche as well uses this as way to make Stella feel bad for leaving her and blaming
Her life that she speaks of is soon learned that it is fraud. The illusions that she broadcasts are to conceal the life that she hates, make herself someone different yet ultimately her attempts are destroyed by reality. When individuals attempt to live unconstrained by circumstance, life can seem to be good for a while. Through illusion they can evade the circumstance, however eventually reality comes down. Tennessee Williams, author of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” addresses a characters attempt to live freely through the fate of Blanche Dubois’s life. Williams’s uses this play to warn individuals the harm that can come from living in illusion and ignoring reality. Fantasy and reality can both bring happiness, however if both are embraced to a certain extent, individuals learn the importance of grasping the concept of