Critics of Streetcar 12/11/15

https://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/e-magazine/articles/18280

Old South versus New America:

The power struggle between Blanche and Stanley could represent the two sides of the American Civil war. Blanche symbolises the Old South who is defeated by Stanley who symbolises newly emerging society.

The distinction between Blanche and Stanley's social backgrounds is established by their state of dress. The way Blanche dresses identifies her as someone with a wealthy background who lived a privileged life of pleasure, not work. Stanley dresses in casual clothes, such as denim, which identifies him as a modern American who has to work in order to succeed and sport and popular culture is preferred over more intellectual pastimes.

Therefore, Blanche could be portrayed as an invader in a world which resents her and will eventually destroy her. The evidence of this is during the rape scene which represents the defeat of culture and values that Blanche holds dear; this is symbolised where Blanche's elegant clothes are described as "soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown" and Stanley's attire is described as "brilliant pyjama coat".

Stella is a bridge between the two worlds. She has the same background of inherited wealth as Blanche as she grew up in the Old South with her family. However, at the time of the play she lives in the new world of America witth Stanley which has far more modern ideals and mannerisms. The contrast between the two worlds she lives in is symbolised when Willaims first describes her as "a gentle woman...of a background obviously quite different to her husband's" which implies that Stella has kept part of her identity from the Old South as Southern Belles were expected to be dainty. However, she has allowed more modern American traits to influence her attire. When Stella and Blanche first talk, Blanche points out that she has "spilt something on that pretty white lace collar" which implies that although Stella dresses nicely she does not have such strong opinions on immaculate outfits as Blanche. Furthermore, this could symbolise the Old South fading away from Stella; it is significant that Blanche notices this because throughout the play she continuously attempts to make Stella behave more like a Southern Belle but because she fails, this symbolises the new world of America defeating the Old South.

The play symbolises how the Old South and its many ideals has been lost. Blanche represents the last, fading species of people who are desperately clinging on to the past. This is implied where Blanche and Mitch attempt to re-create romantic chivalry by waltzing to the radio. However, yet again, this fantasy is destroyed by the new world where Stanley throws the radio out of the window. This symbolises modern America rejecting the Old South and demolishing their essence. This is further implied by Stanley's brutish behaviour. Blanche's values dictate that men must be gentlemen and treat women like they are delicate whilst acting respectful at all times. However, Stella finds Stanley's primitive behaviour exciting and is exhilarated by his display of power.

Arthur Miller’s introduction to ‘A Streetcar Named Desire”

“It only took a few minutes to realize that the play and production had thrown open doors to another theatre world”

“language flowing from the soul”

“this play made it seem possible for the stage to express any and all things and do so beautifully”

“He[Brando]roared out Williams’ celebratory terror of sex”

“‘Streetcar’ is a cry of pain”

Context:

Southern Belle- a young woman from the Deep South who were middle to upper class. They would wear long, almost Victorian style, dresses and look beautiful whilst looking for a rich husband.

New Orleans- Where Jazz was born. After WW2,
Americans were very patriotic

Immigration- During the 1940s there was mass immigration into the USA from other countries

Stanley:

Masculinity-

“Stanley carries his bowling jacket and a red-stained package from a butcher’s. (Scene One, Stage Directions)”

Look at how Williams uses props to emphasize Stanley’s "primitive" masculinity.

“BLANCHE
Well, I never cared for wishy-washy people. That was why, when you walked in here last night, I said to myself — "My sister has a married man!"— Of course that was all that I could tell about you. (2.114)”

Blanche may be deluded, but she’s not dumb. She understands that Stanley prides himself on his masculinity, so this is the angle she works when trying to get into his good graces.

STANLEY
[booming] Now let’s cut the re-bop!
BLANCHE
[pressing hands to her ears]
Ouuuuu! (2.115-6)

Stanley’s masculinity is often expressed through loud noises, whether it be "bellowing" or "booming" or smashing things around. This takes a toll on the delicate Blanche.

STANLEY
You see, under the Napoleonic code – a man has to take an interest in his wife’s affairs – especially now that she’s going to have a baby.
[Blanche opens her eyes. The "blue piano" sounds louder.]
BLANCHE
Stella? Stella going to have a baby? I didn’t know she was going to have a baby! (2.151-2)

Stanley says this deliberately in order to hurt Blanche. He’s just been a bit humiliated since Blanche proved her story about Belle Reve with the financial papers, so this is his way of asserting his dominance once more.

STELLA
Drunk – drunk – animal thing, you!
[…]
[Stanley charges after Stella.]
STELLA
You lay your hands on me and I’ll –
[She backs out of sight. He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow. Stella cries out.] (3.165-8)

Violence is the unfortunate accompaniment to the assertive virility that Stella finds so attractive. Because the two are so closely tied together, Stella can’t distinguish between them, and finds even his aggressive streak to be attractive.

STELLA
He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself. (4.16)

Stanley’s dual nature makes it difficult for us to condemn him as readers (or as the audience).

BLANCHE
On the contrary, I saw him at his best! What such a man has to offer is animal force and he gave a wonderful exhibition of that! But the only way to live with such a man is to – go to bed with him! And that’s your job – not mine! (4.90)

Think about this passage in the context of the eventual rape in Scene Ten…


Since earliest manhood the center of [Stanley's] life has been pleasure with women [...] He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and
determining the way he smiles at them


Stell, it's gonna be all right after she [Blanche] goes and after you've had the baby. It's gonna be all right again between you and me the way it was. You remember that way that it was? Them nights we had together? God, honey, it's gonna be sweet when we can make noise in the night the way that we used to and get the colored lights going with nobody's sister behind the curtains to hear us! (8.55)

Basically, Stanley sees his marriage as suffering because with the sister-in-law in town, he can't relate to his wife the way he normally does.

"there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark—that sort of make everything else seem—unimportant."

Since earliest manhood the center of [Stanley's] life has been pleasure with women [...] He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them. (1.205)