A Street Car Named Desirequestions Essay Example

should be true.

'Laura cheats her mother into believing she regularly attends Business College, comparing her to 'blue roses' which symbolizes her desire for ideal beauty and spiritual and romantic love. This affinity for nature and transcendency is represented by a flower that does not occur naturally. (Durham, Frank 106). Similarly, Blanche is compared to a moth, indicating that she is a pleasure seeker.' (Williams 1947:86).

In 'The Glass Menagerie' play, the 'unicorn' glass animal is distinct from other animals, much like Laura who is set apart because of her physical defect. Laura, like the unicorn, does not fit in with the community. In an interview, Williams reflects on Blanche's story in the play stating that society and its norms broke a potentially exceptional person. (Terkel, Studs 124).

Blanche is appalled by Stanley's treatment of Stella and is stunned when she witnesses Stella reconciling with Stanley after their traumatic night. Stella dismisses Blanche's concern, telling her that she is "making much too much fuss about this" (Williams 1947:41). Blanche's inability to comprehend their relationship stems from her delusional world. If Blanche were to trade places with Laura, she would stand out like the unicorn because of her higher social status compared to the other characters. Despite their differences, Blanche and Laura's lifestyles are similar, but they also exhibit contrasting traits.

Blanche Dubois turns to sex as a way to cope with the loss of her husband, which Williams considers noble rather than sordid (Ross, Don 229). Contrary to Laura in The Glass Menagerie who does not seek male companionship despite her own misery, Blanche shares many similarities with Amanda Wingfield.

Amanda and Blanche both endured unhappy marriages in their

youth. Amanda wed Wingfield, but his passion for exploring distant lands led to distancing from his family. As for Blanche, she married a young man who was attracted to men and, upon discovering this, he took his own life.

Both women were impacted by the men in their lives. Amanda frequently expresses frustration with Tom's behavior - staying up late at night - which she believes mirrors his father's habits. Amanda's relationship with Tom is reminiscent of the psychosexual dynamics present in D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, particularly when she returns Tom's will to the library.

According to Frank Durham, the mythic romance of the old south and the civil war, along with the heady blend of Freud and Darwin, are dismissed by one as the dirty product of an unhealthy mind. This is one of the troubling aspects for this individual.

Blanche and Amanda, both being sensitive individuals, express concern about cultural values. Blanche expresses her discomfort to her sister Stella about Stanley's brutish behavior, which she finds overwhelming like a 'paper lantern'. Similarly, Amanda is sensitive too; she reacts to Tom every time he reminds her of the harsh reality of the world.

Amanda and Blanche differ in their attitudes towards life. Amanda dwells on memories of her youth, sharing stories with her children like the time her mother had 17 gentleman callers in one Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain (Williams 1944:26). In contrast, Blanche looks towards a brighter future. However, she is depicted as a deceitful, hypocritical, alcoholic seductress who causes upheaval in Stella's life.

With the intention of concealing her actual situation from her sister, Stella, Blanche lies about being pursued by a man named

Dr. Shep. She persistently censures Stanley for his harsh demeanor. Although Blanche indulges in alcohol, her rationale for doing so is to escape from the harsh realities of life; yet, she claims that it is merely a way of calming her nerves. Amanda, a woman in her middle-aged prime, embodies the essence of a typical southern belle who lacks the ability to confront failures.

Despite recognizing her mistakes, Amanda chooses to escape reality by retreating into her own imagination. She fails to acknowledge Laura's shyness and physical limitations and instead tries to force her daughter to socialize with others. It is only when she realizes her inability to find a suitable suitor for Laura that she finally confronts the truth.

Amanda has recently come to the realization that Tom has departed from their home as a result of her own frustration. However, Amanda is unwilling to confront the two truths of her life: firstly, Laura retreats into her glass menagerie, which Amanda denies; and secondly, Amanda frequently berates Tom due to the family's financial predicament.

During an interview with Williams, he expressed his perspective on Amanda, stating that she is "confused, pathetic, even stupid, but everything has got to be all right. She fights to make it that way in the only way she knows how." (Evans, Jean 86). Similarly, Blanche creates a fictional world as an escape mechanism rather than confronting reality.

Blanche's aversion to bright light is a result of her desire to conceal any signs of aging. This becomes evident when she fabricates an imaginary admirer, 'Dr. Shep', as she lacks any means of contacting him, revealing her sense of exclusion from society.

Blanche is frequently reminded of her husband's death, and she believes that she must hide the truth from Stanley's tough existence. As stated in Williams' (1947:53) play, "Just as the naked light bulb must be cloaked in illusion." Blanche finds solace in her imagination, as her real life is filled with immoral individuals and cruel circumstances. Her only source of support is her sister, Stella. Blanche uses alcohol to calm her nerves, but ultimately drinks to remain in her imaginary world.

The downside of her existence was her refusal to accept reality, leading Stella and Stanley to commit her to a psychiatric hospital. The dynamics between Tom and Amanda mirror those of Blanche and Stanley. The male figures in both relationships are pragmatic, while the women are living in a state of illusion. Amanda inundates Tom with unwanted advice on his life, causing him to become frustrated by her incessant yelling. In an outburst, he tells his mother that he plans to visit opium dens, where vice and criminal activity run rampant.

According to Williams (1944:42), I am now a member of the Hogan Gang and work as a hired assassin, carrying a tommy gun disguised as a violin case. In addition to this, I oversee a number of brothels in the valley and my notorious nickname is "Killer Wingfield." Similarly, Stanley is straightforward and clear in his interactions with Blanche. However, both men are frequently reprimanded by the women they support. Although Tom provides the majority of the family's income, Amanda insists that he do more.

Despite Stanley's support for Blanche, she fails to show any gratitude and instead criticizes his character, highlighting the differences between their

relationship. In 'The Glass Menagerie', Tom deserts his sister and mother, while Stanley attempts to send Blanche away and ultimately sends her to a mental asylum. Though Tom regrets leaving his family, Stanley feels no guilt towards Blanche and goes to great lengths to dismiss and ruin her life, culminating in the eventual rape.

The relationship dynamics between the two male characters are different: Stanley uses Blanche for sexual gratification, whereas Tom and Amanda prioritize their mother-son relationship. In A Streetcar Named Desire, the struggle between Stanley and Blanche is conveyed through a rape scene, while the tension between Tom and Amanda is illustrated when Amanda urges Tom to be more responsible toward their family. Stella characterizes Amanda, Laura, and Blanche as pragmatic individuals who are willing to confront the realities of life. Despite the challenges in their relationship, Stella chooses to stay with Stanley after the polka night. Similarly, Eunice experiences mistreatment from her husband.

After receiving advice from Eunice, the protagonist makes a practical choice and sends her sister to a mental asylum before returning to her abusive spouse. Williams' works "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" feature characters with similarities and differences. These plays showcase Williams' distinctive style and his deep understanding of the female psyche, including their emotions and trials.

Tennessee Williams explores the southern theme of conflict between romanticism and hostility in both plays, with varying character behavior and expression despite being created by Williams. The plays reflect the social situation of the period and the struggle of women, showcased through the impact of economic decline. Williams portrays the difference in societal expectations between women before and after World

War II, highlighting their objectification for sexual pleasure and lack of importance.

According to Williams, women characters are significant because of their strong passion and perseverance in difficult situations. However, in both plays, Williams portrays female characters as failing in life due to societal influence.