Loss Of Control In A Streetcar Named Desire

Maria Clara Costa

ELA 30-1 Gray

May 24th, 2023

A Streetcar Named Desire

Discuss the idea(s) developed by your text creator about how an individual’s sense of purpose shapes one’s ability to reconcile uncertainty of their future.

Often people seek a sense of belonging and routine; familiarity is not only comforting; it is part of human nature. Settling into a routine can bring peace and comfort, but it can be easily disrupted when events outside an individual’s control lead to uncertainty. The drama written by Tenesse Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire, follows the protagonist, Blanche Dubois, who moves to live with her sister after tragic family deaths and losing her estate. The effects of Blanche’s presence in the Kowalski household lead

The power to dictate how an individual’s life will proceed and autonomy over your own. Blanche’s presence instigated a loss of control for Stanley, not only because of Stella but because Blanche belittled him. Her aristocratic background is a huge contrast to Stanley’s immigrant and working-class environment, which Blanche constantly reminds him of. In the scene where Stanley accuses Blanche of defrauding Stella of her inheritance, Blanche states that Stella escaped the affluent social class to which her family belonged by fleeing to New Orleans and marrying Stanley, leaving behind all of its pretenses, family name, and issues, and with it her inheritance. To Blanche, Stella left her alone to deal with their family issues; however, from Stanley’s perspective, Blanche deprived Stella of her riches, which he considered being his as well. "Oh, I guess he is just not the type that goes for jasmine perfume, but maybe he’s what we need to mix with our blood now that we’ve lost Belle Reve," is a quote from Blanche when referring to Stanley. The jasmine perfume suggests that Stanley is not as refined as Blanche to appreciate exquisite taste such as hers. She implies he would not make a suitable partner for a DuBois family member under normal circumstances since he cannot appreciate the finer things in life, such as poetry or jasmine fragrance. However, Blanche’s second comment concedes that the DuBois family can no longer afford luxuries or fool

He believes Blanche has disrespected him and been against him the entire time she has been staying at his home, although she has consumed his food, drunk his alcohol, and used his house. Stanley felt as though, if Blanche was using his possessions, she also belonged to him. She never recognized his claim to the title of "king" in his own home. Not only that, but she made him feel inferior to her, which his character cannot stand. He must either take revenge or watch helplessly as his marriage, home, and self-esteem are decimated. Stanley blames Blanche for his life's derailing and plans her demise, swearing retribution. He makes in-depth inquiries into Blanche’s past, and when he discovers she has led a depraved, immoral life—her first husband, who was homosexual, and his suicide; her affair with one of her students; and her alleged lust and lasciviousness—he is confident in his ability to destroy her. He buys her a one-way bus ticket back to Laurel as a birthday gift. He tells Mitch, his best friend and Blanche’s romantic interest, about Blanche’s past and believes he has saved him from marrying a tramp. In actuality, he has dashed Blanche’s future optimism. Stanley cannot comprehend Blanche’s delicate temperament because of how different his character is from hers. He makes harsh, black-and-white judgments about the world and misses the fact that Blanche can be both