The theme of Fate in A Streetcar named Desire
1. This theme of fate is clearly signified by the play’s title: “A Streetcar named Desire”
The streetcar symbolises the idea of fate as the streetcar is on rails and therefore can’t veer off from its designated direction. “The streetcar running unswervingly along its rails to its destination can be seen as symbolic of the idea of fate” – just as Blanche can’t avoid heading for disaster. Indeed from the very beginning of the play Blanche’s fate is sealed, but why?
· Tragic character
· Seeks the very thing that results in her downfall, protection, via sex.
2. Characterisation is used to reveal that Blanche’s fate is sealed from the very beginning of the play :-
a) her inability to deal with reality
e.g. 1. her reaction to Stella’s life style
e.g. 2. her attempts to beautify and dim the light in the bedroom
e.g. 3. the irony of the name Elysian Fields
b) Indeed, Blanche's inability to deal with reality continues throughout the play:-
e.g. 1. stories about Shep Huntleigh
e.g. 2. pretending that she has received a wire inviting
her on a cruise.
e.g. 3. dressing up and pretending to be at a social
gathering
e.g. 4. her constant need to bathe.
3. Stanley’s characterisation is also used to convey the fact that Blanche’s fate is sealed from the very beginning of the play. Stanley represents reality which must of course triumph over the idea of illusion or fantasy represented by Blanche. Indeed, Stanley triumphing over Blanche is initially made clear when:-
e.g. 1. Stella chooses Stanley over her sister in scene 4
when Blanche tries to convince Stella to run
away with her.
This is also cleverly illustrated throughout the play when :-
e.g. 1. The use of the blue piano as a symbol of the
new America and what Stanley stands for, signalling his triumph
e.g. 2.
Stanley also represents the idea of the new American in the New South. Blanche’s world has vanished and Stanley and his way of life are now in control. This is cleverly illustrated throughout the play :-
e.g. 1
e.g. 2
4. Setting is also used to illustrate that Blanche’s fate is sealed from the very beginning of the play:-
Elysian Fields is made up of a new and cosmopolitan mix. Blanche is alien to this so will therefore not survive :-
e.g. 1 “Her appearance is incongruous to this setting”
e.g. 2
The claustrophobic apartment is also used to increase the idea of tension. This therefore increases the conflict between Blanche and Stanley and between the forces of fantasy and reality. Because this is the real world, reality must win and this is clearly portrayed throughout the play:-
e.g. 1
e.g. 2.
5. Moreover , stagecraft is also used to illustrate the fact that Blanche’s fate is sealed from the very beginning of the play and indeed this is made blatantly clear as the play progresses:-
e.g. 1 The use of music. The Blues piano suggests sadness and loss. The fact that this plays throughout the play when Blanche is around conveys the fact that her ending won’t be a happy one.
e.g. 2 The use of the transparent walls in scene 10 convey the brutal nature of life on the street encroaching into the apartment. This suggests that the apartment is no safe refuge and that therefore her fate is sealed.
e.g. 3 The noise of the locomotive
e.g. 4 The lights of the locomotive landing on Blanche signify reality and truth. This suggests that her world of illusion will not continue.
e.g. 5 Mitch tearing down the paper lantern.
6. Finally, the metaphor of “desire” also signifies the idea of fate within the play. “Desire” is the name of the streetcar which brought her to Elysian Fields, but it was also “Desire” in terms of her sexual desire which caused her to leave Laurel and move to the apartment and an alien environment ruled by Stanley. Indeed, the idea of "Desire" being responsible for Blanche's fate is also portrayed throughout the play:-
e.g. 1 Blanche’s behaviour both with the soldiers and with the young student at the school in Laurel meant that she had to leave and move to New Orleans
e.g. 2 Stella’s desire for Stanley means the end of her relationship with Blanche as she is prepared to ignore Blanche’s story about the rape. Stella’s relationship with Stanley also conveys that she is prepared to leave the Old World and fit in with the new. Blanche is not prepared to do this, therefore her fate is sealed.
e.g. 3 Stanley’s desire to be the victor leads to the rape of Blanche. He is now out to destroy her through any means possible.
7. Conclusion