A Brief Analysis Of A Streetcar Named Desire

A Brief Analysis Of A Streetcar Named Desire A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, is an American drama play written in 1947. The play is widely considered an American classic and revolves around a cultural clash between the main characters. One of the more tragic figures is Blanche DuBois, as she is a character who feels confused, lost, conflicted, and lashes out sexually. Blanche represents the â€Å"old† South because of her way of thinking, values, and lifestyle. Contrary to Blanche, Stanley Kowalski is a main character that is portrayed as being dominant, aggressive, and sexual. Stanley represents the â€Å"new† South because of his dominance and control over Stella. Both these characters embody values which portray William’s message of the â€Å"old† versus â€Å"new† South. Tennessee Williams attempts to show through Stanley’s character that American is changing into a more aggressive, direct, and raw society. Stanley is a very dominant and somewhat arrogant character , who usually gets what he desires, such as when he rapes Blanche. Another clear example of Stanley’s dominance is the Napoleonic code, â€Å"we have the Napoleonic code according to which what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband† (35). His controlling and sexual character is evident throughout the play, including in the end in which he makes love with Stella after Blanche is taken to the hospital. Sexuality is also a theme throughout the play, as Williams is a homosexual and attempts to demonstrate homosexuality in a positive light through Stanley’s superficial and egoistical actions. An evident example is when Blanche wanted Stella to come with her and says that Stella is almost everything that she has in this world. However, Stanley sees Blanche taking Stella away and refuses to let Stella go, acting as if an animal that is protecting his territory. An example is when Stanley establishes power over Blanche through his marriage, as they are both fightin g for Stella, â€Å"Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely, and full in the view of Blanche. He laughs and clasps her head to him. Over her head he grins through the curtains at Blanche† (73). Stanley remains hostile towards Blanche throughout the play because of this incident, and meanwhile Blanche is having a difficult time adapting to the â€Å"new† South. Stella is unlike Blanche in the sense that she has learned to accept and adapt to the â€Å"new† South, however Blanche is still trying to cope with the loss of her husband. She could not overcome losing her husband, as he was a large part of her life and she was becoming mentally ill and delusional from the loss, â€Å"you know what I shall die of? I shall die of eating an unwashed grape one day out on the ocean† (136). An example is how she is consistently bathing to feel like a â€Å"new person†. She attempts to wash off the dirt which resonates from the past and tries to clear he r mind with frequent showers. Blanche also resorts to alcohol to alleviate her problems; however she has to hide it, as she realizes that it will hurt her reputation, â€Å"She rushes about frantically, hiding the bottle in a closet† (113). All this begins with the death of her husband.