STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE- OLD SOUTH VS NEW AMERICA CRITICS ESSAY SUMMARY

A STREECAR NAMED DESIRE- critical essays ‘’Old South vs New America’’

GABI REIGH September 2015

Conflict throughout Streetcar portrays the advancement of the ‘New America’ and the dissipation of the ‘Old South’. A conflict of cultures which began post-Civil War (1861-65) rooted in the gothic history of the South’s loss.

The South is depicted as defeated in view of its own corruption as well as the advancement of a culture which bases its principles upon efficiency and resourcefulness, rather than the Southern value of gentility and reputation.

CONTRAST OF COSTUME & CHARACTER PRESENTATION

Blanche is depicted to originate from a background of privilege and wealth ‘’daintily dressed in a white suit’’ shows her life is centred around pleasure rather than work.

Her presence in Elysian Fields is ‘’incongruous’’- Thomas Porter described Streetcar as an ‘Inverted version of the Civil War romance’ ie it is a satire of traditional American romanticism of class conflict. Blanche is the ‘invader’ of this New America, which resents her and will destroy her. 

Inversion of the Civil War- Southern Belle invading Industrialised North

Stanley’s ‘’Blue work-clothes’’ shows his working class, progressive and industrial attitude- focus upon money & ambition to succeed. ‘’Blue’’ work clothes is again another reference to the Civil War- the North Soldiers uniform was blue. Further infers the deep roots of the Civil War culture within Streetcar. Stanley’s ‘’bowling jacket’’ shows prioritisation of sport & pop culture rather than intellectual pursuits.

The final presentation of the characters costume in the rape scene portrays the final power struggle of the North & South- and the South’s inevitable defeat. Blanche ‘’soiled and crumpled’’ reflects the ultimate shame the South endured & still suffers from today. Stanley triumphant in ‘’brilliant pyjama coat’’ shows the indulgence the North is now able to access from their crushing of the Southern opposition.

Streetcar critics the indulgent & corrupt society of the South, whilst mourning the chivalry & literary romanticism it brought. Which the New America views as inefficient and useless.

Blanche & Mitch dancing to the waltz on the radio reflects the reminiscence of a time of chivalry & Blanches constant attempts to cling onto it- defence of art, poetry & music ‘’Hawthorne, Whitman and Poe’’. Contrasts to Stanley’s New American view towards this as ‘hoity-toity’ snobbery- throws radio out of the window.

Blanches decline mirrors the decline of the South & its traditions, disappearing amongst the dark philistine modern America, portrayed in ‘’Belle Reve’’ ‘beautiful dream’.

Decline of the DuBois family is inspired by ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ 1839 by Poe- earlier Southern Gothic poet in the decline of romantic literature. Blanches obsession with escaping the death of Belle Reve is reflected in her various ‘intimacies’ and eventually leads to her downfall, from ‘Desire’ to ‘Cemeteries’

Blanche’s death of her husband vs Stella & Stanley’s new marriage full of life & vivacity

Constantly haunted by polka tune vs ‘’gaudy seed-bearer’’

New society allows ‘every man is king’ concept, whereas Blanche’s world of gentility views Stanley’s behaviour as brutal & immoral