The deeper meaning behind the title can be interpreted as such:
Blanche Du Bois is brought to New Orleans by desire. Having all these "relations" with many strange men led her to go to her sister's home, with her husband, Stanley. This desire always ends in the death of something significant. For example, when Blanche is raped by Stanley (he is consumed by desire at this point), all that was left of her sanity is killed.
Desire is a prominent theme in the play. I think that Stanley and Stella's relationship is completely driven by sexual desire rather than love. Blanche notices this and says to her sister, "What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire!-the name of that rattle-trap street-car that hangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another..." (Williams 4). She is trying to show Stella that her husband and her relationship is not about love but rather desire. What I find interesting is that Blanche is quite the hypocrite. It was desire for men that led her to leave her old life and come to New Orleans.
I never considered that Blanche was brought to Stanley and Stella by desire, but it is a really interesting point. When you wrote that desire leads to the death of something I immediately thought about Buddhism. Buddha believed that 'Taṇhā' (translated as thirst, but means craving or desire for pleasurable experiences) naturally resulted in Dukkha (means suffering). It's interesting to see these parallels.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great comparison, and made me really think about how much significance the title of the play actually serves. I never really picked up in reading this play how much desire pushes everyone in the play, to be who they were. I found it interesting how you think that Blanche came to Stanley and Stella out of desire. I think its a really good point for discussion. I totally agree with you, as she goes from place to place with a certain desire.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I personally enjoy the way you analysis and agree the analysis of the quotation. I also think that is an irony for Blanche because she was the one driven by desire instead of Stella. William let Blanche say these words to show how Blanche was mess by reality and dream.
ReplyDeleteI also like the point “I think that Stanley and Stella's relationship is completely driven by sexual desire rather than love.”
As I pointed out, Blanche is not trusty because she could not distinguish what is real and what is in her dream. Those flashbacks in the book prove my point. Stella realized that her sister ‘s problem at last. And that was the reason she did nothing when the doctor came and picked up Blanche. Sexual desire was reflected at the end of the story,
Stanley [Voluptuously, soothingly]:
“Now, honey. Now, Love. Now, Love, now love”[He knees beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse, Now, Love. Now, Love, now love…] (Williams 179)
Williams chose to put this at the end of the story because sexual desire is the real thing between Stella and Stanley. They spoke love out and made love in reality.
I like your final sentence! They really did speak lovingly but behind closed doors, they run on desire and lust.
DeleteGreat post Melanie! I couldn't agree more. In my opinion, the play was definitely completely based off desire. Not only the sexual desire you spoke about with regards to Stella and Stanley, but also the desires Blanche expresses throughout. She has sexual desire for what seems like every man she meets, and is very flirty with all of them. I think the quote you used does a great job of bringing your thoughts together!
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