Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity
Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 6.1.1
Self-Pity in A Streetcar Named Desire
Bernard Deckle has said of Williams’ writing that "His plays deal consistently with a serious theme – self-pity, the persistence of memory that holds people in its grip and will not let them go with their lives".
Analysis of comment
- This seems an insightful comment because, in all of the characters in A Streetcar Named Desire, we see a point of stasis where characters cannot progress or move on. Memory and self-pity stop them from progressing.
Characters that don't progress
- Neither Blanche nor Stanley can progress. Stanley is hung up on being a "Polack".
- Stella has a memory of Stanley being loving and kind.
- Mitch is held in the grip of his mother.
Interpreting Blanche
Some productions in the past have tried to steer the audience’s sympathy away from Blanche (who it is argued, does not deserve any sympathy) and direct it more towards Stanley.
Sympathy for Blanche
- Most recent productions have redirected this back in the direction of Blanche.
Study in cruelty
- The play has also recently been read as a study in cruelty – explored through both Blanche and Stanley's behaviour.
Blanche - lack of balance
- Another notion is that Blanche cannot find balance in her life.
- She seeks both the intellectual and the physical but cannot find the two together.
- She is not driven by a real interest in Stanley; only sexual desire.
- This conflict in her drives the tragedy forwards.
Test yourself on Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity
In what ways can different characters NOT progress in A Streetcar Named Desire?
Which character is held in their mother's grip?
What drives Blanche's interest in Stanley?
A Streetcar Named Desire has recently been read as a study in cruelty. Through which two characters is this idea explored?
Some past productions of A Streetcar Named Desire have directed sympathy away from Blanche. Who have they directed sympathy towards instead?