Section B: A Streetcar Named Desire
Question: Explore the presentation of death in A Streetcar Named Desire. You must relate your
discussion to relevant contextual factors.
Introduction Death is presented as not only physical, but tangible through the death of
Blanche’s reputation, as well as her decaying Old South values. This metaphorical
death seems inevitable, as Williams’ hints throughout that she will be unable to
survive in a society dominated by ideas symbolise through character of Stanley.
Williams also establishes a link between desire and death from the very beginning
of the play and he presents the location of Elysian Fields itself as a place in which
adaptation is necessary for survival.
Through the prominent theme of death Williams’ contextually reflects on the
harsh realities of the new post-war America. Through reflecting on the suicide of
Allan Grey, it is possible he is insinuating that death is a form of escape for some,
as a consequence of the intolerance of society- which he likely experiences himself
as a homosexual man in the 1940s.
Point 1 Williams’ explores the death of an old lifestyle through the downfall of Blanche’s
character- a Southern Belle exposed to the harsh realities of the New America. Williams’
also explores her past experiences with the deaths of her family, evoking sympathy and
perhaps past feelings of the audience.
Blanche introduced as ‘incongruous’ to setting of New Orleans- she’s presented as
a symbol of fragile femininity that juxtaposes decaying backdrop of New Orleans.
‘delicate beauty’- Blanche (symbolic of old south values), presented as weak and
insecure- does not fit in. Seems that the domination of this way of life is inevitable.
I, I, I took the blows in my face and body! All of those deaths! The long parade to
the graveyard’- morbid image, idea it was a relentless experience for Blanche. The
unevenness of her speech is telling of the unevenness of her mind, displaying her
fragile state as a result of the loss of her family.
‘Finally all that was left itself was the house itself, and the graveyard’- death is
victorious over Blanche as she is forced to move away after losing her family
members. This idea also explored in scene one where death is personified- ‘why,
the Grim reaper had put up his tent on our doorstep.’- idea that death is
inescapable, in the same way continuation of Old South values is a ‘beautiful
dream’ (meaning of Belle Reve.) Blanche was haunted and tormented with the loss
and pain she witnessed, feeling as though death was a vengeful entity that was
purposefully stalking her.
Scene 10 marks the ultimate domination of Blanche- Stanley is victorious by the
end of the play, emphasising how the New American values are taking over the
gallantry, and ideas of wealth held by those like Blanche from the Southern state
of Mississippi. Motif of death also followed through here- Stanley portrayed as
predator (serpentine imagery)- ‘biting his tongue which protrudes between his
lips’, leaving Blanche in a ‘trap.’ The sexual assault of Blanche catalyses her
downfall/metaphorical death by the end of the play.
Ultimately, she is unable to survive in society through her inability to adapt to the
new American values, and Blanche’s rape metaphorically symbolises how the Old
Question: Explore the presentation of death in A Streetcar Named Desire. You must relate your
discussion to relevant contextual factors.
Introduction Death is presented as not only physical, but tangible through the death of
Blanche’s reputation, as well as her decaying Old South values. This metaphorical
death seems inevitable, as Williams’ hints throughout that she will be unable to
survive in a society dominated by ideas symbolise through character of Stanley.
Williams also establishes a link between desire and death from the very beginning
of the play and he presents the location of Elysian Fields itself as a place in which
adaptation is necessary for survival.
Through the prominent theme of death Williams’ contextually reflects on the
harsh realities of the new post-war America. Through reflecting on the suicide of
Allan Grey, it is possible he is insinuating that death is a form of escape for some,
as a consequence of the intolerance of society- which he likely experiences himself
as a homosexual man in the 1940s.
Point 1 Williams’ explores the death of an old lifestyle through the downfall of Blanche’s
character- a Southern Belle exposed to the harsh realities of the New America. Williams’
also explores her past experiences with the deaths of her family, evoking sympathy and
perhaps past feelings of the audience.
Blanche introduced as ‘incongruous’ to setting of New Orleans- she’s presented as
a symbol of fragile femininity that juxtaposes decaying backdrop of New Orleans.
‘delicate beauty’- Blanche (symbolic of old south values), presented as weak and
insecure- does not fit in. Seems that the domination of this way of life is inevitable.
I, I, I took the blows in my face and body! All of those deaths! The long parade to
the graveyard’- morbid image, idea it was a relentless experience for Blanche. The
unevenness of her speech is telling of the unevenness of her mind, displaying her
fragile state as a result of the loss of her family.
‘Finally all that was left itself was the house itself, and the graveyard’- death is
victorious over Blanche as she is forced to move away after losing her family
members. This idea also explored in scene one where death is personified- ‘why,
the Grim reaper had put up his tent on our doorstep.’- idea that death is
inescapable, in the same way continuation of Old South values is a ‘beautiful
dream’ (meaning of Belle Reve.) Blanche was haunted and tormented with the loss
and pain she witnessed, feeling as though death was a vengeful entity that was
purposefully stalking her.
Scene 10 marks the ultimate domination of Blanche- Stanley is victorious by the
end of the play, emphasising how the New American values are taking over the
gallantry, and ideas of wealth held by those like Blanche from the Southern state
of Mississippi. Motif of death also followed through here- Stanley portrayed as
predator (serpentine imagery)- ‘biting his tongue which protrudes between his
lips’, leaving Blanche in a ‘trap.’ The sexual assault of Blanche catalyses her
downfall/metaphorical death by the end of the play.
Ultimately, she is unable to survive in society through her inability to adapt to the
new American values, and Blanche’s rape metaphorically symbolises how the Old
