Page 2: Conflicting Desires, Anxieties, and Dependence on Others

This page delves deeper into the themes in A Streetcar Named Desire, focusing on conflicting desires, anxieties, and characters' dependence on one another.

Conflicting desires are evident throughout the play, particularly in the relationships between Stella, Stanley, and Blanche. Stella's sexual desire for Stanley conflicts with her loyalty to Blanche, while Blanche's desire for security and love clashes with her need for fantasy and escapism.

Anxieties plague the characters, with Blanche's fears about her past and future driving much of her behavior. Stanley's anxiety over Blanche's arrival in Elysian Fields and its impact on his relationship with Stella is also a key element of the plot.

The theme of dependence is explored through various character relationships. Stella's dependence on Stanley, Blanche's reliance on Stella and others for approval, and Mitch and Blanche's mutual desire for dependence despite their incompatibility all contribute to the complex web of relationships in the play.

Vocabulary: Elysian Fields - The name of the street where Stanley and Stella live, symbolizing a paradise that is ultimately illusory for the characters.

Highlight: The conflicting desires between the "old South" values represented by Blanche and the "new South" embodied by Stanley and Stella create a central tension in the play.

Example: Scene 6, where Blanche discloses her husband's suicide to Mitch, illustrates how past traumas fuel present anxieties and shape character interactions.

Page 4: Cruelty Between Characters and Feelings of Anger

The final page of this A Streetcar Named Desire themes and symbols analysis focuses on the cruelty exhibited between characters and the pervasive feelings of anger that drive much of the action.

Cruelty manifests in various forms throughout the play, from emotional manipulation to physical violence. The relationship between Stanley and Blanche is particularly fraught with cruelty, culminating in the play's most violent and disturbing scene.

Anger is a driving force for many characters, often stemming from feelings of resentment, jealousy, or frustration. Stanley's anger towards Blanche's presence and influence, Blanche's anger at her circumstances and lost opportunities, and Mitch's anger upon discovering Blanche's deceptions all contribute to the play's emotional intensity.

Highlight: The birthday party scene (Scene 8) serves as a turning point, where the underlying tensions and cruelties between characters come to the forefront.

Example: Mitch's act of ripping Blanche's paper lantern in Scene 9 symbolizes his destruction of her illusions and marks a cruel turning point in their relationship.

Quote: "Scene 10 Blanche being raped by a drunk Stanley, a consequence" This brutal act of violence represents the ultimate cruelty in the play and the complete breakdown of civility between characters.

Understanding these themes of cruelty and anger is crucial for a comprehensive A Streetcar Named Desire analysis PDF, as they underscore the play's exploration of human nature and the destructive power of unfulfilled desires and societal expectations.