Illusion Vs. Reality In A Streetcar Named Desire

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A street car named desire is a play that consists primarily of the theme illusion vs reality where we are taken back to New Orleans, in the 1940’s during a time where woman are portrayed as fragile beings who are dependant on men. Throughout the play, the theme of illusion vs reality shows itself through Blanche’s character as she sets herself up as a prim and proper woman, who is innocent and has never done wrong when in reality, we learn it is all an act as bits and pieces of her real life are revealed. The main theme in scene 7 is uncovering the truth, which in the play, can also be expressed as light over darkness, as Blanche’s lies start to unravel. We begin to piece together Blanche’s past life as Stanley begins to tell Stella what Blanche claims that the purpose of her frequent baths are to help calm her nerves, when in reality, it is her way of trying to cleanse herself from her past, which is why she is never finished bathing. In addition, Stella is preparing for Blanches birthday party which furthers Blanche’s desire to bathe as a way at achieve eternal youth. As she bathes, Blanche sings the song “it’s only a paper moon”, “it’s only a paper moon, Just as phony as it can be, But it wouldn’t be make-believe If you believed in me”, (Williams, 121). This song symbolises Blanche’s fantasy world and how she is unable to come in terms with her reality but rather chooses to live in lies, which in the play represents darkness, also with the intention of making others believe in them too. It is ironic because as Blanche sings about her fantasies, in the other room, Stanley is uncovering her lies and bringing forth her reality. At the end of the scene, the blue piano goes into a hectic breakdown, this is important because throughout the play, the blue piano is used to express the overall mood and life of the scene. Tension rises as Blanche realises something is up as both Stella and Stanley were acting weird towards her. As the blue piano plays hectically, Blanche becomes afraid that they have found something out and that her secret will be revealed/ light will overcome the

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