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The Enigma of Death and Desire in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams

Blanche's fear of aging and lost beauty stems from her fear of death, leading her to assert her sexuality to cling to her youth. Her downfall is fueled by her sexual history. Blanche's descent into madness is a result of her inability to confront her desires and her fear of mortality. The allegorical journey in the play reflects the trajectory of Blanche's life, symbolized by the streetcar named Desire. Sex leads to death for others, as seen in Allan's tragic suicide due to Blanche's disapproval of his homosexuality. The play is rich with sexual innuendo, symbolized by Stanley's actions toward Stella.

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The Enigma of Death and Desire in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams

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  1. Death and Sex! A Streetcar Named Desire Tennessee Williams

  2. Blanche • Blanche’s fear of death manifests itself in her fears of aging and lost beauty asserts her sexuality to avoid death and return to her sexual youth Blanche believes that the opposite of death is desire

  3. Blanche’s downfall • Blanche’s sexual history is a cause of her downfall Blanche’s lifelong pursuit of her sexual desires has led to her eviction from Belle Reve, her ostracism from Laurel and finally her expulsion from society. Blanche’s fall into madness is the ending brought about by her duel flaws – her inability to act appropriately on her desire and her desperate fear of human mortality

  4. Allegorical Journey • Blanche’s journey allegorically represents the trajectory of Blanche’s life Streetcar named desire streetcar named Cemeteries street named Elysian Fields Greek mythology (land of the dead)

  5. Allan • Sex leads to death for others Blanche knows – her husband’s suicide results from her disapproval of his homosexuality

  6. Sexual innuendo • Example: Stanley throws a package of meat at Stella states sexual proprietorship he holds over her

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