Conflict critical essay

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Tennessee Williams’ perplexing, insightful and ever-relevant play “A Streetcar named Desire” explores the conflict between the past and present values for struggle for survival in the New South, embodied via the conflict of two main characters – Blanche Dubois and Stanley Kowalski upon Blanche moving in with Stanley and his wife (Blanche’s sister) after falling upon tough times. Blanche, a “prim and proper Southern Belle” represents the old southern values of class and social hierarchy whereas her brother in law – Stanley Kowalski – personifies the New Southern values. This conflict is amplified through William’s clever use of costuming, symbolism, staging, dramatic irony and characterisation to further highlight the theme of survival in this New South.

Question 2

Paragraph 1

Answer 2

Intro sentence: Blanche’s “incongruous to the setting” appearance at the start of the play immediately highlights the contrast between her and Stanley.
Quotes: “daintily dressed in a white suit”, “faded”, “roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes”, “I-I rarely touch it”.
Summary, Blanche costuming connotations and contrast to surroundings, Stanley costuming contrast, characterisation of lying and dramatic irony, facade is prevalent throughout play breakdown of which symbolises Stanley triumph.

Question 3

Paragraph 2

Answer 3

Intro sentence: Williams yet again, effectively employs dramatic at the turning point of the play during Scene 4 – when Stanley decides to destroy Blanche.
Quotes: “ Under the cover of the train’s noise, Stanley enters from outside.”, “ape-like”, “survivor of the Stone Age”, “ Over her head he grins through the curtain at Blanche.” and “ he ‘blue piano’ and trumpet and drums is heard.”
Summary: Dramatic irony, why (insults), train metaphor, destruction foreshadowed through grin and music.

Question 4

Paragraph 3

Answer 4

Intro sentence: Part of Blanche’s destructions comes in Scene 7 with the revelation of all the lies she has told Stella and Stanley
Quotes: “soaking in a hot tub”, “lie number 1…lie number 2…”, “I bought her a ticket myself. A bus ticket!”, “the distant piano goes into hectic breakdown.”
Summary: bathing symbolism and tension, lies methodical and thorough, lies exposed, bus ticket (class), music symbolises Blanche’s breakdown.

Question 5

Paragraph 4

Answer 5

Intro sentence: Blanche’s illusion completely collapses in the climactic Scene 10.
Quotes: “ she has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown and a scuffed pair of silver slippers.”, “ his (Stanley’s) mouth slowly curves into a grin.”, “ Lurid reflections appear on the walls around Blanche. The shadows are of a grotesque and menacing form.”
Summary: Blanche costuming contrast, grin indicative, lighting symbolism and foreshadowing, rape destruction of Blanche.

Question 6

Paragraph 5

Answer 6

Intro sentence: Stanley’s dominance over Blanch is epitomised the end of the play.
Quotes: “ the hot trumpet and drums from the four deuces sounds loudly.” , “ I couldn’t believe her story and carry on living with Stanley.”, “ Don’t ever believe it, life has to go on.”
Summary: Music symbolises Blanche’s breakdown and how she won’t survive, Stella chooses Stanley over Blanche again he emerges victorious, life goes on as usual, old south loses out to new south once and for all.

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

n conclusion, Williams skilled use of costuming, symbolism and music effectively portrays Blanche and Stanley’s clear contrast, and highlights the conflict between the pair. This conflict eventual leads to the utter breakdown of Blanche’s façade leaving her weak and exposed in this New Orleans’s setting, conveying that the Old Southern values won’t survive in the post war era.