Stacey's Entries on A Streetcar Named Desire

#1

I have seen the movie, “A Streetcar Named Desire” on numerous occasions. I always enjoyed the film version, never realizing there was a written play by Tennessee Williams. Needless to say, having seen this play acted out on the screen by top-notch actors, such as Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh, I was somewhat apprehensive about now having to read something that I already saw acted out. Would it have the same impact? Would the characters be similar? Would I be disappointed that I saw the movie before I read the book? These questions came to my mind, prior to starting this read.

After finishing the play, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. In answer to my questions, yes, the written play did indeed have the same impact. The characters in the book were so strong, that one doesn’t have to see the play first in order to capture the personalities of the characters, as well as their emotions. I must admit I wish I read the play first, before seeing the movie, because I kept visualizing Marlon Brando as “Stanley”, and Vivian Leigh as “Blanche”. Not that this is any big deal, but it would have been interesting to see whom I would envision as these characters.

Tennessee Williams does an amazing job via his written words. His brilliance in creating these characters is what brings them to life. I, as the reader was able to feel the pain in Blanche, as she becomes mentally unraveled as the story progresses. The tension in Stella is crystal clear, as she truly becomes the middleman between her sister Blanche and her husband Stanley. The character of Stanley is so rough, tough and macho, that it makes me wonder if Tennessee Williams possessed these traits as well.

The most memorable line in this play is when Stanley screams “STELLAAAAAA”. This made me leery after having seen this performance, whether the book could have the same impact of this line. Tennessee Williams manages to create through his writing, the importance of this line. Stanley’s feelings for Stella are clearly understood in the book, as well as the movie. The intensity in how and when he says the name “Stella”, is equally important to actually watching and hearing him say the name “Stella”. I thoroughly enjoyed reading “A Streetcar Named Desire”, and must say I could easily compare reading this book to watching the film, without any apprehension.



#2

“They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six blocks, and get off at Elysian Fields”. These are the first words spoken by Blanche Dubois, as she meets the two women sitting in front of the Kowalski building. Upon researching the name Elysian Fields, it was interesting to learn that it derives from Greek Mythology, meaning land of the dead. After gaining this piece of knowledge, I kind of understood where Tennessee Williams was going with this story. The tone of the play was based on that opening line when we first met Blanche Dubois. The story depicts Blanche’s journey of sadness, doom and gloom. It is obvious that this character is a fragile soul. Tennessee Williams compares Blanche with a moth to a flame. A little creature, who flits about under the light in an aimless sort of way.

When we first meet Blanche, she comes off as a simple, educated and nervous woman. As the story unfolds, she is far from simple. In fact, I truly believe she has to be one of the most complicated characters in literature. Blanche does come from a wealthy background. She is an English teacher, from Loral Mississippi. Her life was full of sadness and confusion. She has been around many deaths in her life, including her parents, as well as her homosexual young husband. Blanche feels she was responsible for her husband killing himself because she never approved of his sexuality.

Blanche and Stella become reacquainted after many years in the first scene. She wastes no time putting a guilt trip on Stella. The fact that Stella left home, leaving Blanche to deal with all the ugly sickness and death. This is the reason she is financially destitute, explaining to Stella that sickness and death costs money, and that is why she no longer owns Beele Rive. These deaths haunt Blanche throughout the play, and ultimately are the catalysts for her destiny.



#3

Tennessee Williams created some of the most intense interactions among his characters in this story. The relationships between Stella, Blanche, and Stanley are twisted, heart wrenching, and emotionally draining. Each of these characters had such deep-rooted, psychological issues that seemed every time they interacted with one another, it was a disaster.

Blanche was appalled when she arrives at her sister’s home. She cannot believe the dump her sister lives in, a two-room apartment, with no space and none of the finery that Stella and Blanche were accustomed to having when they were growing up. Blanche is a tormented soul who has been through a lot in her life. She never experienced real, true love, and it appears she almost resents Stanley and Stella for having this. Stella does not seem to mind her living conditions, as she is so in love with her husband Stanley.

Stanley is a macho character with violent behavior. He yells and screams, and comes off as almost barbaric in many ways. Certainly not the “gentleman”, that Blanche would like to see her sister with. When Blanche and Stanley interact, it is uncomfortable. First of all, that little southern bell attitude that Blanche tried to portray does not fly with Stanley. He sees right through Blanche from the beginning. He finds her to be a threat to his marriage, because he knows that Stella adores both of them. The fact that Blanche despises Stanley is apparent. Stanley goes as far as having Blanche investigated, and when he finds out the truth about her, he wastes no time trying to destroy her.

The marriage between Stanley and Stella is very rough. Even though Stella is carrying his child, Stanley’s behavior is animalistic towards her. The fact that he rapes her sister shows his lack of character, as well as morals. It is tragic all around. Blanche could not mentally compete with Stanley, and eventually had to be committed. Stella being her next of kin was the one that had to do this deed. Deep down inside, she knows that Blanche was driven to this state, and will always hate Stanley for that.

I do not see how any of these characters could possibly live happily ever after. Had this had happen in today’s society, I feel the ending to this would have been quite different. Stanley probably would have been out the door, Blanche would’ve been put on anti-depressants, and Stella would probably re-marry several years later.