Critical commentary Essays

Critical commentary Essays Critical commentary Essay Critical commentary Essay Essay Topic: A Streetcar Named Desire Earlier in the scene Blanche questions Mitch with regards to what Stanley has told him about her and Blanche remarks that Stanley is rude to her. Mitchs reaction, that he is surprised to hear that and [doesnt] see how anyone could be rude to [her], suggests his feelings towards her are sincere and give the audience a deeper insight into Blanches character and how she represents herself. In Blanches earlier scene with Mitch she appears innocent to the world of domestic abuse and tells Mitch she isnt properly dressed and therefore cant sit and have a cigarette with him (although she is easily persuaded.)Mitch believes that she is the pure Southern Belle she wishes to be seen as but in scene nine, after he has looked into Stanleys accusations, he realises she has been promiscuous in the past and, as Stanley does in scene ten, tries to take advantage of her. Blanche tells Mitch how Stanley must hate her since he insults her but then she suggests, perhaps in some perverse way he No! The idea that Stanley might actually be attracted to her causes her to make a gesture of revulsion Before finishing her drink to try eradicate the feelings of uncleanliness.The use of alcohol to mask difficult emotions is a recurrent theme in the play and in Williams own life. The use of the word stalks to describe Stanleys movement through the rooms at night make him appear carnal and animalistic, as well as suggesting the possibility that the rape in scene ten was premeditated which is supported by Stanleys line in scene ten, Weve had this date with each other from the beginning! Blanche talks about the lack of privacy in the flat since there are only portii?res between the two rooms at night. This is an example of her fear of being revealed for who she really is, a theme which is exemplified throughout the play through the use of light imagery. The idea of light appears at the end of the extract after Blanche has explained her husbands suicide to Mitch. She says, And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one moment since has there ever been any light stronger than this kitchen candle This is a particularly interesting line since throughout the play Blanche actively prevents herself being in strong light, perhaps suggesting that she worries that if people knew what she had said to her husband she would be abhorred and blamed for his death. The word again indicates that the searchlight had been off before she met Allen and that it is her love for him that suddenly turned a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow but since his death no one has been able to compare. Death is a major theme in this extract as well as throughout the play.It is inextricably linked to desire which is shown through Allen Greys sexuality leading to his suicide, Blanches relationship with the student causing her lose to her job and the rape in scene ten which resulted in her being institutionalised and ostracised from society. Although not all of these are physical death they are all metaphors for the destruction caused by desire. Mitch asks Blanche her age, a fact she refuses to disclose, as if by retaining that piece of information she can remain youthful and return to a time before Allens death and her demise.Tennessee Williams shows the audience her reluctance through the use of stage directions (She makes a nervous gesture. ) Mitch wishes to know because he has been talking to his dying mother about her and when she asked Blanches age he was unable to say. When he tells Blanche his mother is sick and wont live long. Maybe just a few months the topic of death is addressed and Blanches tale of her husbands end is made known to the audience in full for the first time.Both Blanche and Mitch have difficulty saying death and instead Blanche says the person I loved I lost and Mitch says She wants me to be settled before she Williams makes this particularly poignant by their consequent actions; Mitch, clears his throat twice, shuffling nervously around with his hands in and out of his pockets while Blanche crosses to the window and sits on the sill, looking out and then pours herself another drink. Both their reactions are very solitary, showing the audience their loneliness.Homosexuality was still considered a mental illness at the time A Streetcar Named Desire was written but, although not accepted, it was tolerated in New Orleans unlike in Mississippi where Allen and Blanche lived. When describing Allen, Blanche points out, There was something different about the boy, a nervousness, a softness and tenderness which wasnt like a mans, although he wasnt the least bit effeminate looking. This tenderness is what Blanche is looking for in every sexual relationship she has ever had but no one has ever been able to provide.Blanche refers to his sexuality as that thing, showing her repugnance which was echoed on the dance-floor at Moon Lake Casino when she said the fatal words, I know! I know! You disgust me It is in this extract that we come to understand the significance of the Varsouviana. Her husband, the man he had been in bed with and Blanche all went to the casino but pretending nothing was wrong. This pretence fooled no one and Williams shows it looming through the use of the Varsouviana in the minor key.After the shot the polka initially stops abruptly but resumes in a major key possibly suggesting the problem of Allens sexuality was resolved and in some ways , it was almost a joy to be free from the pain his sexuality had caused him. The Polka music increases but unlike in every other scene of the play it fades out rather than requiring Blanche to drink until she hears the shot suggesting she is soothed by Mitchs affection rather than merely obliterating her problems through alcohol.BibliographyRoudani, Matthew C. (ed. ) The Cambridge companion to Tennessee Williams. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.