A Streetcar Named Desire Essays

A Streetcar Named Desire Essays A Streetcar Named Desire Paper A Streetcar Named Desire Paper Essay Topic: A Streetcar Named Desire Literature Some critics suggest that Williams takes no sides in the conflict between Blanche Stanley. Do you agree? I feel that this statement is partially untrue; at certain points through the play Williams chooses a side to tell the story from rather than a favourite character. Blanches initial character was to represent that of Williams and Stanleys, the bad aspects of life that abuse the weak. Although saying this about Stanley he does show some true good qualities and genuine emotions within the play and at the same time Blanche shows the whit and knowledge to rise above Stanley. Throughout A Streetcar Named Desire Williams can switch from one character to another in who he is favouring, and who has the power in the scene can change almost instantly with either force from Stanley or a quick witted line from Blanche. He portrays faults in both Stanley and Blanche and we see from the very beginning of the play that they have many differences, starting from their backgrounds and upbringing. The only thing that ties them together and the one reason they are introduced is Stella, Stanleys wife and Blanches sister. The awkward first meeting shows the ower struggle immediately from the first scene, although both characters are civil towards each other, even though it may be difficult for Stanley. [Drawing involuntarily back from his stare]: You must be Stanley. Im Blanche. Blanche is the visitor and yet is the one to start the conversation. She has introduced herself to Stanley in his own house. The audience would expect him to be a bit more welcoming and instead he is quite hostile towards her, Stanley has no respect from women and sees them as either sex objects or someone to clean up after him his lack of respect is also shown when he begins making conversation with er whilst removing his clothes, has also has absolutely no respect for what others think or if they would be uncomfortable with a half naked man around. He does ask if its all right to remove his top after his long day at work but before she replies has already removed it, he just assumes that she will be happy as she is in his home. This shows he is not really interested in her answer and it was just a formality and it was just a shocking moment of politeness that he even asked. Blanche thinks she can use this for an advantage to herself, he would be so simple, like a toy for her to play ith and manipulate, it seems apparent that she is not ware of how strong his character actually is. There are quite a few scenes within the play where it seems that Blanche has the upper hand in what is going on, showing slight favouritism from Williams. In scene two for example as Blanche is getting changed, Stanley is outside getting quite annoyed and almost reverts to the animal within him, shown when he starts throwing her belongings and acting irrationally at the amount of belongings Blanche has and how expensive he believes they are, Stanley assumes that Blanche has swindled the Kowalskis out of money when Belle Reeve was lost to the family. As Blanche enters from the bathroom the conversation ensues. At first Blanche seems to belittle Stanley and his supposed manly card game, making it almost seem like a childs game with his child-like friends I understand theres to be a little card part to which we ladies are cordially not invited. Beginning the conversation with this gives Blanche the upper hand from the start. During their lengthy discussion a battle takes place for control which switches places many times. When ou walked in here last night, I said to myself My sisters married a man of course that was all I could tell about you This shows Blanche to be flattering and rather flirtatious giving her the upper hand. An example of Stanley getting control is when he shouts [booming] now lets cut the re-bop! This is a clear indication that Stanley uses a more violent way of getting his own way, whereas Blanche prefers to out wit or flatter her victims. He hasnt been fooled by Blanches flattery and he seems fed up with it, with this comes his control of the conversation and with slight suggestion that Williams favours him at this point. Yet at the end of their part in scene two it is Blanche who comes out on top and in control with the power. Here all of them are, all papers I herby endow you with them! here Stanley cant respond with anything as it seems like he has got what he wishes but it is Blanche with the last words. On the other hand when Stanley mentions the baby he may regain some of that control by sharing a secret Blanche doesnt know and playing Blanche with her own games, by being smart mouthed and using his intelligence rather than brute force. Williams takes no sides in deciding Blan che and Stanleys personalities. They are both portrayed as bad people. Stanley, a rapist and a dominant husband who always wants things his way and Blanche being a former prostitute whos outspoken even when it is rude. One instance of this is when she firsts meets with Stella after a long time apart. But you, youve put on some weight, yes, youre just as plump as a partridge. It seems the ordeal she faced in Belle Reeve has turned her bitter and now she resents her sister; this can be shown when she talks to Stella about what happened. How in hell do you think all that sickness and dying was paid for? Death is expensive, Miss Stella Sit there and stare at me, thinking I let the place go! There is evidence of Stanley always wanting his way is in scene three, when the card game takes place, he feels that he has all control in the house and doesnt need permission or feel the need to ask out of common courtesy. [Stanley stalks fiercely through the portieres into the bedroom. He crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table. With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out of the window] He doesnt consider the fun that Blanche and Mitch are having hilst listening to the radio, or the possibilities Mitch has of forming a relationship with Blanche all he cares about is what he wants happens. Williams not only shows Stanleys fierce animal behaviour but his lack of consideration for others. The ending to this play actually seems to lean in Stanleys favour. After raping Blanche and keeping his wife, including newborn son, the fact that Blanche is leaving is another added bonus seeing as he has regained control and power over his house. Whats more is that because Blanches growing insanity peaks at the end of the play, Stella seems to have no choice but to elieve Stanley is telling the truth when saying Blanche lied about the rape as Blanches state of mind does her no favours when it comes to who is telling the truth. On the other hand one person doesnt believe him, and that is Mitch. [Fiercely] you, you done this, all o your God damn interfering with things Having angered one of his best friends Stanley hasnt won everything in the end. The interesting thing about A streetcar named desire is that the play and the feature film have different endings, with the film showing Stella leaves Stanley at the end, permanently. Judging on this ending I believe that Williams takes no sides in the conflict between Blanche and Stanley as Blanche may go to a mental institution, but Stanley looses everything dear to him. Although it isnt what Williams wrote, it is a more audience friendly ending with the bad character getting found out. This was designed specifically for cinema so good has to conquer evil, even if it is only a minor win of the battle. Although Stanley seems to get the last laugh in the play, throughout it I believe Williams shows them both equally in personalities, lines and their endings.