A Street Car Named Desire: Theme of Reality vs. Illusion
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
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
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.
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