A Street Car Named Desirequestions Narrative Essay Example

in New Orleans to stay with Stella and her husband, the theme of illusions becomes evident among the characters. As a young girl, Blanche became infatuated with love, viewing it as a sudden and overwhelming discovery. Despite Allan Grey's unique qualities, she believed him to be the perfect man. Her statements reveal her deep infatuation and illusion that love conquers all, leading her to sacrifice everything for Allan's sake. Initially deeply in love at the beginning of the play, Blanche continues falling deeper for Allan even after their marriage. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that this feeling of love was merely an illusion (123HelpMe.com, 2011; Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008).One day, Blanche discovers her husband in the company of another man, which shatters her illusions about love. She questions whether what she witnessed was real or just another illusion. Despite the harsh reality, Blanche realizes that her husband had tried to communicate his struggle to her. He was an illusion to himself, pretending to be someone he was not. When Allan learns that Blanche knows about his homosexuality, he commits suicide to avoid facing the reality of her inability to help him. While they were dancing in a club, Blanche's statement of disgust pushes Allan to end his life. Their attempts to hide this illusion are futile as reality ultimately takes a toll on both of them - Allan loses his life and Blanche loses her perception of true love.

After losing her husband, Blanche falls into yet another illusion. She remains hopeful that if she were loved again, she could regain the happiness she once had with Allan. In the text, it is

quoted as "…after the death of Allan - intimacies with strangers was all I seemed able to fill my empty heart with...(William, 1995, p.1380-1381)." Her belief is that among the various men she encounters, she will eventually find someone who is right for her and allows her to find happiness and unconditional love once again. Unfortunately, this does not turn out to be true.Blanche's actions lead her into an ethical dilemma when she engages in a relationship with one of her students. This misconduct results in her being expelled from her teaching position and facing community backlash. According to William (1995, p.1398), she was kicked out before the spring term ended and there was practically a town ordinance passed against her for getting involved with a seventeen-year-old kid.

Upon discovering this situation, Blanche is forced to leave her hometown and move to New Orleans. In order to conceal her troubled past, she realizes that she must create an illusion of happiness and comfort. When she sees Stella's apartment, Blanche consistently comments on its quality and suggests that it does not match Stella's social status, as stated by the text (William, 1995, p.1267).

Throughout the play, subtle symbols highlight the ongoing conflict between illusion and reality. Taking baths becomes significant as it symbolizes Blanche's attempt to conceal her old age and dilemma as depicted by William (1995, p.1381) in a scene where Blanche is interrupted in the bathroom and referred to as a "canary bird." Additionally, darkness is employed by Blanche as another symbol to hide her aging process.William emphasizes the use of low lighting to introduce Blanche on stage, especially when she interacts with Mitch, her suitor

(Cumming, 2004). This dim lighting is intended to prevent Mitch from realizing the truth about Blanche's fading beauty. Once her lies and illusions are exposed, Blanche expresses a preference for magic over reality and admits that she manipulates the truth to present what she believes should be true (William, 1995, p.1380).

In contrast to Blanche, Stanley embraces reality despite his flaws and lacks imagination. He sees no value in living in an illusionary world. Unlike Blanche's constant desire for escapism, Stanley relies on force as a means of survival (William, 1995). When Stanley calls out to Blanche while she is in the bathroom, he forcefully exclaims "Hey, toots! Canary bird, please leave the bathroom" (William, 1995,p.1365).

Stanley's actions and words reveal his decisive nature. In Chapter Seven of the play, he argues with Stella about Blanche's stay and asserts that she will not be staying past Tuesday. He even goes so far as buying her a bus ticket himself to ensure her departure: "She's not staying here after Tuesday.You know that,right? Just to be sure,I bought her a bus ticket myself.She will go.Period…" (William,p.1381).

Stanley is determined to expose the illusion that Blanche presents and takes it upon himself to investigate her departure from Laurel.After discovering the truth ,he confronts Stella commanding "Sit down!"( William)"I have information about your older sister, Stella…" (William, 1995, p.1365). William emphasizes that Stanley ensures everyone is aware of the truth about Blanche. According to Cumming (2004), Stanley's persistence in spreading gossip about Blanche is compared to a dog with a bone. This ultimately leads to Mitch ending his relationship with her. In support of this, Stanley reveals that even the Flamingo management

was impressed by Blanche initially but soon gave up on her and she moved on to another person. As time passed, her routine of lies continued and she became infamous within the town. She faced consequences such as being expelled before the spring term ended and getting involved with a seventeen-year-old boy, leading the town to practically pass an ordinance against her (William, 1995, p.1398). Ultimately, Mitch rejects Blanche's proposal for marriage because he believes she is not clean enough to bring into his mother's house. The play highlights the importance of having illusions in life as it showcases how individuals may want to conceal their flaws like Allan or impress others like Blanche did. Illusions can also serve as a form of denial seen through Stella and Stanley's behavior. However, reality plays a vital role in uncovering the truths hidden by illusions. Regardless of any pain it may cause, it is crucial for individuals to recognize that appearance and reality are separate entities where reality holds more significance as it fosters acceptance (Sontag, 2010).Both Stella and Mitch, as we near the end of the play, face a decision between Blanche and Stanley, representing illusions and reality. In the end, they both choose what they believe is real.