Streetcar Named Desire Analysis

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In the conclusion to his play “A Streetcar Named Desire”, Williams demonstrates many of the concerns he raises during the play in the final scene of the piece. Many of these concerns are powerful themes that often surface throughout the plot and are concluded at its denouement. One of his main themes is that of survival, and this a prominent theme in the conclusion. Other significant themes include that of desire and passion, which is a striking theme from the beginning of the play, which he uses to explore different characters. Williams also investigates the theme of loss within the play. Throughout the play, Williams also explores the themes of light and dark, masculine and feminine conflict which are key character issues throughout. Another key theme is that of ‘Old South’, and its decline. Williams uses detailed, narrative stage directions, characterisation and the use of fantasy to heighten the climax in tension of the conclusion, and has the effect of evoking sympathy within the audience towards Blanche. In this conclusion, Williams gathers all of the characters together in a strong male female divide, with the men playing poker and the women attending to Blanche’s final preparations. By using descriptive, story-like stage directions, Williams is able to create not just a, effective final scene, but a play that entices the reader much more. If the stage directions had been simply ‘Stanley removes the paper lantern and gives it to Blanche” rather than “He crosses to dressing table and seizes the paper lantern, tearing it off the light bulb, and extends it towards her. She cries out as if the lantern was herself.” then we as readers would not be as drawn to the play as we are. In this quote from the scene, Blanche is being almost evicted from the house. Stanley is always shown to be dominating and aggressive as a character throughout the play,
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