Themes and Characteristics in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
Main Themes in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) was published during the flourishing years of Broadway Theater (1945-1960), the Golden Age of American theater that emerged after WWII. This literary movement combined experimental techniques from Modernist theater of the 1920s with the tendency towards Domestic Realism (1930s and 1945s). The play was a success, depicting taboo themes that captivated audiences. It is also autobiographical, portraying some of the author’s personal concerns, such as his latent homosexuality, his relationships with his parents, and his fear of madness. The mythological references are also a significant element. This essay will discuss the main themes and characteristics that contributed to the play’s creation.
Southern Values and Multiculturalism
The author drew inspiration from the values of the Southern States, claiming to write out of love for the South. He was so enamored with the South that he changed his name to “Williams,” a common name in the South. One representation of the South is the multiculturalism of the neighborhood, with characters like Pablo (Hispanic heritage) and Stanley Kowalski (Polish heritage), showcasing a variety of ethnicities. These characters also represent the new values of Southern citizens. Characters like Blanche represent the traditional, old-fashioned manners of the Southern States. Blanche, nearly thirty and still single, suffers from past wounds. For example, she becomes nervous when asked about her deceased husband. Blanche also shows disrespect and racism towards Stanley, calling him a “Polack,” a derogatory term for a Polish person. This scene highlights the conflict between the New and Old South, embodied by Stanley and Blanche, respectively. The author uses his play to depict his love for the South.
Taboo Topics and the Psychosexual State
The audience was drawn to the play because it deals with taboo topics of the South, such as homoerotic characters and women’s sexual desire. Blanche’s deceased husband may be homosexual due to his delicate and girlish behavior. Blanche’s sexual desires and promiscuity are evident throughout the play, such as when she flirts with Stanley and describes his engaging manners. Williams explores the “Psychosexual State” of the characters, examining the problems homosexual and promiscuous people face. This autobiographical element alludes to his own homosexuality and his chaotic relationship with his puritan mother. The author uses Blanche to reflect his own concerns. Blanche, a promiscuous woman educated in the old values of the South, fails to reconcile these aspects. She is presented as liberal, yet she takes long baths to metaphorically “clean all her imperfections and sins.” Williams also portrays Blanche as an outcast, evident in her lies and fallacious statements. In short, the play’s appeal is fueled by the taboo topics it addresses.