FREE ESSAY ON STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Why Can't Blanche and Stanley Just Get Along?
In A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams uses astrology and character names to
further define the two main characters, Blanche and Stanley. Blanche is a Virgo, whereas
Stanley is a Capricorn. Both have very different characteristics, which cannot blend with
one another. It is evident that Blanche and Stanley alienate each other further because
of their astrological signs; Virgos are more sensitive while Capricorns are more
realistic. 
Throughout the play, Blanche expresses positive aspects that are described by her
astrological sign (Virgo). A Virgo is intellectual, critical, fussy, shrewd, logical,
methodical, practical, and has teaching ability. They can lack confidence and need
constant reassurance (Signs In Detail: Virgo). This coincides with Blanche because she
used to be an English teacher but was fired. Furthermore, when first entering the
apartment she acts in a very critical manner; Oh, I'm not going to be hypocritical, I'm
going to be honestly critical about it… Only Mr. Edgar Allan Poe! - Could do it
justice… Why didn't you tell me… that you had to live in these conditions
(Williams 20). Blanche is also a character that always needs reassurance about her looks.
She mentions to her sister, Stella, that she hasn't put on an ounce in ten years and asks
about her appearance. However, then she criticizes her sister by telling her to watch her
hips and maybe do something with her hair, not knowing that Stella is pregnant. Blanche
can be described as the 'perfect' Virgo if compared to its traditional traits.
Blanche also conveys some negative aspects of the sign Virgo. She is a character who does
not show her age, another Virgo rule. In her living area, the light is made dim and
before leaving the house, she applies makeup to hide her age. The Chinese paper lantern
may represent her concealment. Another characteristic is that she desires wealth but is
not able to acquire [it] easily (Virgo). An example of this trait is seen when Blanche
makes up a story about her rich friend who will support a shop for her and Stella. This
can also prove that Blanche lives in a superficial world, her predisposition to gloss
over the harsh realities of life by pretending that they are simply not there (Cardullo).
She is a perfectionist and loses trust in others and herself if anything occurs, such as
when she refuses … to forgive herself for denying Allan the compassion that would
have saved and perhaps changed him, or at any rate made his burden easier to bear
(Cardullo). Blanche suggests that she is jealous of Stan and Stella; Stan and Stella have
what Blanche wants. Their intimacy involves a degree of humility, spirited affection, and
overt need, certainly, as well as the working out of a pattern of living generally
suitable for them both (Berkman). Blanche's desire is to feel needed. These flaws may
have caused her inability to relate to Stanley.
Stanley conveys some of the traditional Capricorn traits. On the positive side, his
reasoning ability is outstanding. He is also socially oriented; his poker pals look out
for him such as, when he took his anger out on Stella and the guys made him cool off.
Stanley is also a character who is willing to work hard for anything that he wants and is
very cautious. Capricorns are untrusting and often investigate. When Stella told him that
Blanche lost Belle Reve, he wanted to examine all of her belongings and the bank papers.
Also, he was the one that found out why Blanche retired during the school year. On the
negative aspect of this astrological sign, they experience many mood swings. They can be
calm for a while, and then suddenly have an outburst in anger such as during the poker
game. They can express concern, which might turn into cruelty, and so they cannot always
control their actions. Also, Capricorns do not like to be alone and are very selective in
their search for a mate because they are capable of falling in love for pleasure.
Williams made the rape seem accidental, the result more of Stanley's sudden and
uncontrollable drunken lust than of his calculation and deliberate cruelty. Stanley does
not rape Blanche because he knows her nervous breakdown and expulsion from his home will
result. Rather, he does so because he has been physically to her from the start and has
been encouraged by her on at least one occasion, and is able to fuel his desires with
knowledge of her checkered past in Laurel. Too, he has probably not been sexually
gratified for some time due to his wife's growing pregnancy and the concurrent dearth of
privacy created by his sister-in-law's visit to their already cramped quarters
(Cardullo). Most of Stanley's astrological characteristics contradict those of
Blanche's.
Williams also uses character names to further define Blanche and Stanley. The name
Blanche comes from a French word meaning white. This concurs with Blanche's character
because she uses the French language to charm Mitch and seem more intelligent. White is
also the color of purity. Williams might have used irony there, since Blanche is not at
all pure. According to Parent Soup, Stanley's name means from the rocky meadow. His life
may seem rocky because his pregnant wife is not sexually gratifying him. Also, Stanley
and Stella's apartment is not very spacious or luxurious. Stanley's name might also apply
to Blanche, who had a rocky life, but denies it all throughout the play. 
The character's names and astrological signs may explain why they cannot seem to get
along with each other. Blanche is a Virgo who is sensitive, unable to trust anyone, and
lives in a superficial world. On the other hand, Stanley is a Capricorn who is more
realistic, practical, and untrusting. They estrange one another because, neither will
tolerate the other, since each believes that the other a threat to the achievement or
maintaining of intimacy in life (Cardullo). 
Bibliography
Capricorn. http://tenthouse.com/horoscope/features/c-capri.html 
(20 Dec. 1999)
Meanings and Origins. The Parent Soup. 
http://www2.parentsoup.com/babynames/baby/s.html
(23 Dec. 1999)
Signs in Detail: Capricorn. http://www.astrologynow.net/caprifr.htm
(22 Dec. 1999)
Signs in Detail: Virgo. http://www.astrologynow.net/virgofr.htm
(22 Dec. 1999)
Virgo. http://tenthouse.com/horoscope/features/c-virgo.html 
(20 Dec. 1999)