“A Streetcar Named Desire”, a play created and directed by Tennessee Williams during the late 1940’s. This play sees a classic American story get told through the three main characters of Blanche, Stanley, and Stella. Being set in New Orleans during the 1940’s while having lust, truth, deception, and many more be the main components of which how the play unfolds. With the desire and deception that occurred during the whole play Stella says this , “I couldn’t go on believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella, Scene 11). After this was said and the following context surrounding it, this quote depicts the desire and lust of oneself when it comes to believing in their own truth or reality. Even if this reality or “truth” is rooted in false beliefs and in some cases even lies told by themselves or others. When understanding this idea of desire for one’s truth it’s seen to play a crucial role in the understanding of the play and characters as a whole from how they interact, think, and why they say the things they say. Being a piece so deeply connected and rooted in the times it was created, this desire is exemplified and seen in a more raw real way through its time period.
When taking a closer look at one of the main three characters which is Blanche, it becomes clear that her whole story, life as a person, and decision making is built on the desire she has for something that doesn’t exist. This desire which Blanche has is one that she has for herself, a facade, a perfect version which doesn’t age, who’s always polite, and is interesting. This is shown throughout the play but is primarily shown when Blanche states the following, “I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don't tell truth, I tell what ought to be truth.” (Blanche, Scene 9) This quote builds upon this preexisting idea which Blanche has of herself and the desire that comes with it for something that she could never obtain, that version of herself who is perfect in every way. Another quote that goes more deeper with the concept of desire has the pair of Blanche and Mitch saying, “You lied to me, Blanche. Don't say I lied to you. Lies, lies, inside and out, all lies. Never inside, I didn't lie in my heart …” (Blanche and Mitch, Scene 9). This quote paired with the idea of Blanche using her “magic” to make people see what she wants them to see shows more of this gullible side of Blanche. Even after lying to Mitch about her promiscuous past, putting up a facade to make herself seem younger and more attractive, and her true intentions with Mitch. Blanche still clings to this fake persona she had created for herself when faced with the harsh reality of the situation, Blanche isn’t perfect but is chasing that facade. Highlighting how this desire has affected her throughout life for the worse.
After discussing how Blanche uses desire in her life Stella does so similarly when it comes to her relationship with Stanley. Her usage of desire comes in the form of looking the other way towards her husband's action, having a desire to live a life where Stanley does no wrong while the true reality of it says otherwise. In the earlier scenes of the play Stella states this while talking to Blanche, “When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen. It's always a powder-keg. He didn't know what he was doing … He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he's really very, very ashamed of himself” (Stella, Scene 4). This quote demonstrates the toxic relationship which Stella and Stanley have with one being too forgiving and the other not being able to control themselves. This forgivingness by Stella allows for her desirable reality to be true to her, making excuses so her husband seems more admirable even after he slapped her aggressively in front of multiple people. Another example of Stella choosing the reality she created then the truth was after Blanche was taken to a mental asylum. Stella said, “I couldn’t go on believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella, Scene 11). This quote is a prime example of a person's desire for their own reality, Stella having to choose between facing the reality of what Stanley did to Blanche or ignoring it and going on with her life. The choice she picks would ultimately have her pick one person from the other, leaving them to the dust which she did to Blanche. And like Blanche Stella does this to preserve the reality she has already created with Stanley, a loving man who hasn’t created a toxic environment for her to be in. Leading to desire in one's false reality ruining her relationship with Blanche for the unforeseeable future.
After analyzing both of these circumstances in the play a connection between “A Streetcar Named Desire” and the real world could be made. With the main component of desire being present throughout it can be seen in two very different ways, from a harmful and clouded perspective of desire to a somewhat neutral, hopeful, and healthy perspective of desire. A piece of media which exemplifies this side of desire could be through the song called “Street Lights” by Kanye West which was featured on his 2008 album “808s & Heartbreak”. When looking at “Street Lights” it tells the stage at which Kanye West was during his life, after the passing of his mother and his fiance leaving him he created “808s & Heartbreak” to be an outlet for the suffering he’s endured. “Street Lights” is the song which depicts his desire for normality after his mothers passing, through his singing Kanye brings a sense of longing for something that has disappeared. Singing, “Seems like, street lights, glowing happen to be. Just like moments, passing, in front of me. So I hopped in, the cab and I paid my fare. See I know my destination, but I'm just not there” repeatedly throughout the song to show how he’s able to see where he wants to be but doesn’t know how to get there, which would be him being healed and ready to live his life again. As the song progresses Kanye’s vocals are accompanied with a piano and synth at the start but slowly becomes more populated with the use of drums and background vocals. This progression allows for the listener to understand how his desire for something meaningful in his life is becoming a reality even after accepting and recognizing his inner turmoil. When compared to Blanche these two journeys are completely different from how they cope and move on with their life after experiencing trauma. Blanche feeds into these habits of hers with desiring things out of her control while also pushing away the real reality of what's going on, this in hand prevents the healing process she needs and demonstrates the reason why she desires so much. Kanye expresses facing the truth for it is and moving past it. It’s an escape for Blanche, from the harsh reality she lives in.
When looking back into “A Streetcar Named Desire” it delves into the real human side of desire and the harmful effects it can present. Seeing these effects occur throughout the play from each main character sets a precedent to the many ways desire for a reality being thought of in a destructive manner. From the lies which Blanche creates to become more desirable, how Stella dismisses her husband's issues as a person to cover up the toxicity of their marriage, to even how a desirable reality could be achieved in a healthy way rather than ignoring the sometimes harsh reality in place of a delusional one. “A Streetcar Named Desire” is a capsule for the time it was created and demonstrates how far people have come in relation to people having desire. Now having healthier and more productive ones then being self destructive.
No comments:
Post a Comment