Page 3: Contrasting Personalities, Attitudes Towards Truth, and Tension Between Characters

This section of the A Streetcar Named Desire themes analysis essay explores the contrasting personalities of the characters, their attitudes towards truth, and the resulting tension that arises between them.

The play juxtaposes different personality types, most notably in the characters of Blanche and Stanley. Their conflicting natures drive much of the plot and thematic development. Additionally, the contrast between Blanche and Mitch serves to explore themes of desire and loss.

Attitudes towards truth play a crucial role in the narrative. Blanche's propensity for lying and concealing her past creates conflict with other characters, particularly Stanley, who values directness and honesty. The theme of truth and deception is central to Blanche's relationship with Mitch and her ultimate downfall.

Tension between characters is a constant undercurrent throughout the play. The strained relationships between Blanche and Stanley, Stella and Stanley, and Blanche and Mitch all contribute to the overall atmosphere of unease and conflict.

Definition: Southern belle - A term referring to young women of the American South's upper socioeconomic class, often associated with charm, grace, and traditional values.

Highlight: Blanche's lies about her age and past to Mitch demonstrate how her fear of rejection conflicts with her desire for connection and security.

Quote: "Scene 7 - Stella is preparing for Blanche's birthday party. While Blanche is bathing, Stanley insists on telling Stella what he has learned from Shaw about Blanche and her reasons for leaving Laurel." This scene is pivotal in exposing Blanche's deceptions and escalating the tension between characters.

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.