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A review by izasballad
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
3.0
"A Streetcar Named Desire" delves into the nature of human desire and highlights how certain decisions based on one's desire can lead to tragedy. Moreover, it highlights the past versus the present through Blanche and Stanley, which creates conflict and tension throughout the story.
Reading a play doesn't quite give the same emotions as reading a full-fledged novel or watching the play, but reading this was still as incredible! This was a compelling read, and it was fun to analyze the scenes. I would love to watch the play because I've heard the symbols and themes are much clearer on stage. I might watch the movie after this 👀
*Review contains spoilers
Each character has their desires, and the book showcases the lengths they would go to achieve them. Blanche desires for her past life, being the Southern Belle that she was. This desire of her makes her detached from reality, making her commit a series of wrong decisions that ultimately affect her sanity. She romanticizes her past so much that she creates an illusion of her being the same person she was back then. She creates her own world, and while it does protect her from harsh realities, this excess illusion has made her deluded and unstable. While I do not condone her actions, the glimpse we got at the ending of her getting out of her fantasy land was sad to see, especially after what she just went through.
Moreover, I loved the exploration of love and codependency in the book. Stella and Stanley's relationship, I believe, is a perfect example of a codependent relationship. Stanley is the dominant person in the relationship, but as soon as Stella strays away, he finds a way to get her back. He desires control, which he gains through controlling Stella. So, when Blanche threatens that sense of control and superiority over Stella, he does his best to, ultimately, gain control of Blanche as well. His masculinity is deeply intertwined with the submission of women. Meanwhile, despite the obvious red flags of Stanley, Stella stays with him because she desires stability. This desire leads her to decide between choosing Stanley and Blanche. Ultimately, she chooses the option where she maintains stability, opting to ignore and deny the truth.
Reading a play doesn't quite give the same emotions as reading a full-fledged novel or watching the play, but reading this was still as incredible! This was a compelling read, and it was fun to analyze the scenes. I would love to watch the play because I've heard the symbols and themes are much clearer on stage. I might watch the movie after this 👀
*Review contains spoilers
Each character has their desires, and the book showcases the lengths they would go to achieve them. Blanche desires for her past life, being the Southern Belle that she was. This desire of her makes her detached from reality, making her commit a series of wrong decisions that ultimately affect her sanity. She romanticizes her past so much that she creates an illusion of her being the same person she was back then. She creates her own world, and while it does protect her from harsh realities, this excess illusion has made her deluded and unstable. While I do not condone her actions, the glimpse we got at the ending of her getting out of her fantasy land was sad to see, especially after what she just went through.
Moreover, I loved the exploration of love and codependency in the book. Stella and Stanley's relationship, I believe, is a perfect example of a codependent relationship. Stanley is the dominant person in the relationship, but as soon as Stella strays away, he finds a way to get her back. He desires control, which he gains through controlling Stella. So, when Blanche threatens that sense of control and superiority over Stella, he does his best to, ultimately, gain control of Blanche as well. His masculinity is deeply intertwined with the submission of women. Meanwhile, despite the obvious red flags of Stanley, Stella stays with him because she desires stability. This desire leads her to decide between choosing Stanley and Blanche. Ultimately, she chooses the option where she maintains stability, opting to ignore and deny the truth.