Symbolism In A Streetcar Named Desire

Thomas Lanier Williams was born in Columbus, Mississippi in 1911, he was the second of the Williams’ three children. By his own candid accounts, he described his family situation as being troubled, to put it lightly. His parent’s marriage was ordinarily tense, most likely as a result of his father’s alcoholism, physical intimidation and neglect. Thomas’s kindred troubles did not end with his parent’s unpleasantness, his beloved older sister, Rose, was institutionalized as a young woman and remained in care for the reminder of her life. He, himself suffered a mental breakdown, following his recuperation he moved to New Orleans and changed his name to Tennessee, this move invigorated his lifestyle and provided him with a new source of inspiration.

For instance, take the intent of a streetcar, it serves the purpose of transporting people from one place to another, much like Blanche traveled from Mississippi to New Orleans, incidentally, Tennessee Williams was also born in Mississippi and traveled to New Orleans. In the same manner, the Elysian Fields address of Stanley and Stella Kowalski holds a much more esoteric symbolic significance, as it comments on the indigent reality of the backdrop. Once Blanche makes her appearance, she informs Eunice

Throughout, the story no explicit lines of good vs. evil are construed, in other words, no character is either completely good or bad, they simply represent conflicting philosophies that are divided by contradicting personal desires and needs. Interestingly, the resolution of struggle is finalized when Stanley subdues Blanche, shockingly, this is not out of context with the theme. That is to say, Blanche is not completely unwilling, she has her own desires that draw her to Stanley like a moth to the light, a light she avoids, yet yearns for. She had no issues, rejecting the more powerful statue of Mitch’s sexual advancements, however when it came to Stanley, she offered no threats, rendered no calls for help, and by their previous dialog acknowledged his