the theme of fate in a streetcar named desire 1. this theme is clearly signified by the title a streetcar named desire t
The theme of Fate in A Streetcar named Desire
1.
This theme is clearly signified by the title
A Streetcar named Desire
The streetcar symbolises the idea of fate as the streetcar is on rails
and therefore can’t veer off from its designated direction. “The
streetcar running unswervingly along its rails to its destination can
be seen as symbolic of the idea of fate” – just as Blanche can’t avoid
heading for disaster. Indeed from the very beginning of the play
Blanche’s fate is sealed, but why?
2.
Characterisation is used to reveal that Blanche’s fate is sealed
from the very beginning of the play :-
a.
her inability to deal with reality
e.g. 1.
e.g. 2
b.
her inability to deal with her new surroundings and
environment
e.g. 1. her attempts to beautify and dim the light in the bedroom
e.g. 2. the irony of the name Elysian Fields
e.g. 3.
e.g. 4.
Stanley’s characterisation is also used to convey the fact that
Blanche’s fate is sealed from the very beginning of the play. This is
because Stanley represents reality which must of course triumph over
the idea of illusion/fantasy represented by Blanche:-
e.g. 1
e.g. 2
Stanley also represents the idea of the new American in the New South.
Blanche’s world has vanished and Stanley and his way of life are now
in control :-
e.g. 1
e.g. 2
3.
Setting is also used to illustrate that Blanche’s fate is sealed
from the very beginning of the play:-
Elysian Fields is made up of a new and cosmopolitan mix. Blanche is
alien to this so will therefore not survive :-
e.g. 1
e.g. 2
The claustrophobic apartment is also used to increase the idea of
tension. This therefore increases the conflict between Blanche and
Stanley and between the forces of fantasy and reality. Because this is
the real world, reality must win:-
e.g. 1
4.
In addition, stagecraft is also used to illustrate the fact that
Blanche’s fate is sealed from the very beginning of the play :-
e.g. 1 The use of music. The Blues piano suggests sadness and loss.
The fact that this plays throughout the play when Blanche is around
conveys the fact that her ending won’t be a happy one.
e.g. 2 The use of the transparent walls in scene 10 convey the brutal
nature of life on the street encroaching into the apartment. This
suggests that the apartment is no safe refuge and that therefore her
fate is sealed.
e.g. 3 The noise of the locomotive
e.g. 4 The lights of the locomotive landing on Blanche signify reality
and truth. This suggests that her world of illusion will not continue.
e.g. 5 Mitch tearing down the paper lantern.
5.
Finally, the metaphor of “desire” also signifies the idea of fate
within the play. “Desire” is the name of the streetcar which
brought her to Elysian Fields, but it was also “Desire” in terms
of her sexual desire which caused her to leave Laurel and move to
the apartment and an alien environment ruled by Stanley:-
e.g. 1 Blanche’s behaviour both with the soldiers and with the young
student at the school in Laurel meant that she had to leave and move
to New Orleans
e.g. 2 Stella’s desire for Stanley means the end of her relationship
with Blanche as she is prepared to ignore Blanche’s story about the
rape. Stella’s relationship with Stanley also conveys that she is
prepared to leave the Old World and fit in with the new. Blanche is
not prepared to do this, therefore her fate is sealed.
e.g. 3 Stanley’s desire to be the victor leads to the rape of Blanche.
He is now out to destroy her through any means possible.
6.
Conclusion