Essay/Term paper: Literature essay- a streetcar named desire by tennessee willi

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Literature Essays

Junior English Midterm
"Literature Essay
"A Street Car Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams

Q: Discuss the theme of reality vs. illusion as it applies to this play.

In Tennessee Williams play, "A Streetcar Named Rosie," a major theme is reality
vs. illusion. The theme deals with Stella"s reality and Blanche"s illusions, where Stella
deals with her reality, Blanche creates illusions to forget hers.
Stella"s reality belongs with Stanley, in their little apartment, with sex as their
stronghold. Although Stella was brought up through different surroundings she"s happy
with her life with Stanley. She"s not ashamed to admit that she and Stanley came from
two very different worlds. She realizes that he is crude and violent at times but she deals
with it and moves on. An example that she accepts her life with Stanley is when he
became violent with her that poker night. Yet she still chose to stay worth him
eventhough Blanche gave her the choice of leaving with her.
On the other hand Blanche deals with her realities by creating illusions. She
created the illusions of her life in Laurel as being a successful, will respected woman, when
she was really a tramp. Her illusions are so intense that its to the point that it affects real
life. An example is her decorations to Stella"s apartment which creates a dim surrounding
to help hide her true appearance. Unlike Stella, Blanche is afraid of her reality. She is
afraid of getting old which is which she puts covers on the lamps to dim the lights. She"s
afraid of being alone, which was why she tried so hard to keep Mitch from finding out
about her past.
In conclusion, although Stella and Blanche were brought up in the same
environment, they matured differently. Stella deals with her reality and doesn"t try to
cover it up with lies, unlike Blanche who creates illusions to cover up her problems and
fears. Junior English Midterm
"Literature Essay
"A Street Car Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams

Q: Discuss the theme of reality vs. illusion as it applies to this play.

In Tennessee Williams play, "A Streetcar Named Rosie," a major theme is reality
vs. illusion. The theme deals with Stella"s reality and Blanche"s illusions, where Stella
deals with her reality, Blanche creates illusions to forget hers.
Stella"s reality belongs with Stanley, in their little apartment, with sex as their
stronghold. Although Stella was brought up through different surroundings she"s happy
with her life with Stanley. She"s not ashamed to admit that she and Stanley came from
two very different worlds. She realizes that he is crude and violent at times but she deals
with it and moves on. An example that she accepts her life with Stanley is when he
became violent with her that poker night. Yet she still chose to stay worth him
eventhough Blanche gave her the choice of leaving with her.
On the other hand Blanche deals with her realities by creating illusions. She
created the illusions of her life in Laurel as being a successful, will respected woman, when
she was really a tramp. Her illusions are so intense that its to the point that it affects real
life. An example is her decorations to Stella"s apartment which creates a dim surrounding
to help hide her true appearance. Unlike Stella, Blanche is afraid of her reality. She is
afraid of getting old which is which she puts covers on the lamps to dim the lights. She"s
afraid of being alone, which was why she tried so hard to keep Mitch from finding out
about her past.
In conclusion, although Stella and Blanche were brought up in the same
environment, they matured differently. Stella deals with her reality and doesn"t try to
cover it up with lies, unlike Blanche who creates illusions to cover up her probl