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Realism In A Streetcar Named Desire

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Realism In A Streetcar Named Desire
By examining Stella's ineptitude to recognize Stanley’s true character, Blanche’s solace in her own fantasy, and contrasting them with Stanley’s hard set realistic view of life, Tennessee William reveals the only way to shield themselves from the horrors of reality is to live life in one’s own fantasy.

Throughout the play, Stella avoids confronting the truth about Stanley and shelters herself with the myth that he is what is best for her. Stella can not face the truth when she knows it deep down. Once hearing Blanche’s story that Stanley raped her, Stella admits she “could not believe her story and go on living” the way she had (164). Stella’s life is dependent on the idea of Stanley being what is good for her, and she could not “go on living” if that idea was proved false. Stella is forced to deny the truth in order to keep believing in the myth that Stanley is what is best for her. Stella further denies Stanley’s …show more content…
Stanley looks past the fake front that people put on and focuses on what is real and ignores the “Hollywood glamour” and lies that surround them (39). Stanley does not want any deviation from what is known to be true and wants “no ifs, ands, or buts” (43). Deep down Stanley needs to unearth any falsehoods when anyone feeds him a “pack of lies” no matter how dark they are (118). Regardless of the awful truths of Blanche’s life, Stanley states the truth in the simplest sense, and he finally reveals Blanche is not “such a refined and particular girl” as he gives out her dark truths. He pushes away Blanche’s pleasant dream and posters the harsh truth of Blanche’s problems in plain sight so no one, not Mitch, Stella, or even Blanche can not miss it. Ultimately, Stanley feels no empathy for anyone, and digs up the lies and falsehoods that surround
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