The Final Collision: When Past Meets Present
The conflict between Blanche and Stanley represents the ultimate clash between old and new America. Stanley embodies post-war masculinity and has zero patience for Blanche's aristocratic pretensions. His blunt "Now, let's cut the re-bop!" directly challenges her flowery Southern speech patterns.
Blanche's relationship with Mitch shows her desperate attempt to secure a future whilst hiding her past. Her confession "I do not speak the truth, I speak what ought to be true" perfectly captures her philosophy - reality is too harsh, so she creates better alternatives.
Williams uses Blanche's mental breakdown as the inevitable result of refusing to reconcile past with present. When Mitch rips off the paper lantern, exposing the harsh light bulb, it symbolises the cruel destruction of all her carefully constructed illusions.
Ultimate Message: The play suggests that whilst we can't ignore our past, we must find ways to integrate it with present reality - or risk losing ourselves entirely like Blanche does.