A Thematic Analysis of Desire in Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Example

called Desire, as well as a transfer to another named Cemeteries.

These names sound ominous and symbolic, for they echo much of the underlying themes of the story. Stella Kowalski is a woman forever stuck in a rut; as a girl, she often had to play second fiddle to the more glamorous and dramatic Blanche, and now, has to make do with the life afforded her by the man she married. The man, Stanley Kowalski, seems uneducated and crude, yet it is this brash attitude that has an effect on his sister-in-law. One of Stanley’s best friends, Mitch, shows interest in Blanche only until he discovers her promiscuous past.

Desire, from the points of view of these characters, can take on different meanings, in their specific ways. But, as always, the bigger picture shows how similar they all are with each other. Desire coming from loneliness. Blanche appears to have the most motivation for loneliness, considering her unfortunate experiences. This creates her desire for attention, for affection, and love. However, this desire also makes her sink more and more into desperation. On the other hand, Mitch’s has turned his loneliness into a kind of desire of positive potential.

The gravity of caring for his ailing mother was replaced by hope, upon meeting Blanche and entertaining thoughts of having a future with her. Desire coming from illusion and false hopes. Once more, Blanche embodies this particular desire, as proven by her almost-imaginary hold on life. She is described as a woman of elegant demeanor and appearance, yet all of it seems fake and inappropriate. She desires to look at life on her own

terms; which is why she has to create false truths just to escape its harsh realities. Desire to escape death.

From the reason for Blanche’s trip to the name of the train, death figures prominently in the story, juxtaposed against desire. In one scene, Blanche even states that death is the opposite of desire—a clear reference to everything she had to go through. Her journey is also a hunt for the answer to her desires, lest she also consumed by death—like everything else she had (Novel Guide). Desire for sex and physical pleasure. Outspoken and macho Stanley is the literal representation of this desire, as he is shown being victimized Blanche’s complex objectives.

It is his heritage and masculinity that she desires, yet abhors at the same time (Bak, 2004). It is clear how desire played both negative and positive roles in the story, particularly on the character of Blanche DuBois. Many opposites elements are introduced, most of them affecting how desire is felt. From the death of Blanche’s homosexual husband, to the overt masculinity of Stanley; Blanche’s sudden penchant for sordid affairs, to her pearls-and-suits ensembles; and Blanche’s once-comfortable yet problematic family life, to the difficult yet satisfying partnership enjoyed by Stanley and Stella (Cummings Study Guides).

Definitely, the characters subsumed by desire always had a choice—to act for or against it. In Blanche’s case, she indulged in each one, still perhaps an effect of her husband’s uncovered sexuality and death. Desire, whether defined as positive or negative, is what gives us the drive, determination and passion to pursue what we have chosen. It answers and fills something in us, the

way it did Blanche, Stanley, Stella and Mitch. It is what keeps us going beyond the rules, that makes us read between the lines. Desire gives life color. For life, like cinema, can still be seen in black and white.