"A Streetcar Named Desire", by Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams was a playwright that was well known for many Southern Gothic stories. His name was actually Thomas, however he changed it to Tennessee in honor of the state in which his father was born. Many of Tennessee Williams's stories are believed to come from many true life experiences that he delt with. Tennessee was very close to his sister, Rose, and many believe that his life as an alcoholic may have been because of her condition. Rose was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her struggles and constant disappointments with procedures made things stressful for the family. The story I would like to talk about by Mr. Williams is called "A Streetcar Named Desire". The reason for my explanation of Tennessee's sister, Rose, is because the main character in this story, Blanche, is who many believe represents Rose. Blanche had a troubled past that lead her to her sister's home in New Orleans. There, she finds her sister, Stella, and Stella's husband, Stanley. From the beginning, there is a unknown vibe between Blanche and Stanley. They are of completely different make ups and are made to tear each other apart. Blanche, the southern bell that is known for her seductions and smile, and Stanley, a hard working big mouth that seems to treat Stella in all the ways that he should not. The main part of the story that symbolises a lot of things is when Stanley finally drives Blanche to tell the truth of the things in her mind that she has tried to hide and get away from. She had done many bad things, but what really haunted Blanche was the death of her first husband. He had been having a secret homosexual relationship, and when Blanche caught him in the act, she told him she wanted nothing to do with him and that he was disgusting. He killed himself soon after, and Blanche had blamed herself for it ever since. Towards the end, Stanley drives Blanche to realize the real things she had done. She realized so much that is caused her to have a nervous breakdown, resulting in Stanley's orders to her getting taken to a mental hospital. The ending is very sad, and you truly realize how taunted and mentally tired Blanche was at that point. The doctor came in, and she had given up all hope and gave herself to him and the nurse. This story is said said to symbolize Rose, Tennessee's sister, because she had lost herself as well after the lobotomy, and was also carried away. The symbolism in the story is amazing, and I highly recommend anyone to watch the movie as well. The sounds, places, everything in the story just flows no nicely together and truly gives the meaning that the story is trying to give.