Day 78: A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams

One of my latest acquisitions, this is a play that seems to feature a lot when talking about studying theatre and drama as one that everyone seems to have had some contact with. I'm glad that I can come to this for the first time on my own, having not covered it at school. There are parallels and symbolism in the names of the local streets, buildings and vehicles with the storyline and the lives of the two sisters, but like the music which is sometimes in Blanche's head and sometimes really there but always in the background, the names just help sketch out the outline of the action. I can very much empathise with sisters who are so different they cannot hope to understand each other's life choices, but as secrets get revealed through the course of the play it's difficult to really know who to sympathise with. In the end, Blanche is dragged off to a mental hospital "for her own good" and it's clear by then that she would likely struggle to look after herself alone. But everyone involved in having her committed has their own problems - I'm left feeling like any one of them coming into an unfamiliar group might be treated similarly, with the possible exception of the incredibly unfortunate boyfriend who really defines bad timing, innocence and poor judgement.

In terms of character development I can see that this would be a really interesting play to get stuck into. Most of the characters are masking themselves to some extent, some of them only to certain other characters. There are reasons for those different faces, most specific is the deep emotional scarring that has driven Blanche to a madness she doesn't really recognise in herself. There's also the stark counterpoint in the total lack of physical privacy - we watch the action through windows and transparant walls, neighbours are free to come and go, and even the two rooms of the apartment adjoin by only a curtain. The trunk - which has a key - is open most of the time. The only truly private place shown in the entire course of the play is the bathroom, and Blanche seems to spend most of her time in there. Just one more implication that she has something monumental to hide.

I'd certainly go and see this if I happen to catch it playing somewhere handy, but I doubt I'll raid it for monologues - partly because it's apparently so well known. It makes a nice change that the women carry the play, and though they do all have or gain partners through the course of the story, they are strong and clear characters in their own right and not defined by thier respective men.