A streetcar Named Desire - Tennesse Williams (1947) - The antagonism and attraction between Blanche and Stanley

Extract

[...] This is why, we may interfere feeling that when she, for instance, claims that she has "nothing to hide", she just playfully alludes to the contrary. Therefore, we have to differentiate her pervasive, complicated and mischievious mind in line with distinctive and subtle tastes displayed when she commands her sister to fetch her a "lemon-coke with plenty of chipped ice" which embody her social class refinements and his straight-to-the-point perceptions which appear far too clearly to the lady, especially when she pretends to not understand his direct allusion towards her proclaiming that "whatever belongs to (his) wife is also his". [...]

[...] By creating and highlighting these stark contrasts, the playwright underlines the transitory aspect of a specific social period in which the old Southern America is to combine with a primitive modern world regulated only by a simple normativity. Alluding to the fact that Stanley might be "what (they) need now they have lost Belle Reve", Blanche Dubois gives elements of cultural differences' possible arrangement. However, Tennesse Williams also perfectly represents here the dual instincts which incomprehensively lead human beings in such a case, going from passionate hatred to deep attraction and standing for the street seller's symbolical warning "red hot" and the most dangerous and corrosive compromise. [...]

[...] Wisely hold back in her own personal sensations, Blanche interferes in a weird and abusive way with her brother-in-law. This way, her playful attitude mixing subtle plays on words and confusing gestures as when she sprays themselves with her atomizer authorizing herself to laugh, shortly abandoned into a courted-manner or when she too visibly alludes to his "big, capable hands", compromises her legitimate status. Her open signals make him reply have ideas about you " She feels deeply attracted by this man and bring him to commit actions she implyingly commands as for when she makes him "seize the atomizer" or forces him to say "I'll have a look at them first". [...]

[...] Indeed, while the woman goes on ranting about her feelings, the man simply and abruptly interrupts her in a slang language. And as her jabbering was seemingly getting him feel nervous when he claims "Let's cut the re bop his rudeness appears to shock and embarass the young lady replying with an "Ouuuu " pressing hands to her ears as if she was too sensitive to bear such an informal expression. She otherway precises her perceptions on him quoting that he was "not the sort that goes for jasmine perfume". [...]

[...] First conceived as due stereotypes of masculinity and femininity, the protagonists then grow in an impossible compatibility. Nevertheless, beyond this antagonist description, Tennesse William's portrays enable us to fully explore the complicated interaction processes occurring between two completely opposed beings. We may then wonder how does he deal with such a specific kind of relationship through the play? We will first analyze their profound and irresolute antagonism, which will help us observe the obvious attraction performed by Stanley over Blanche. The first contrastive display of the characters lies into their personal descriptions. [...]