Streetcar

Main point: Lies empower creation of fantasy world and power

Throughout the play, Williams uses lies to aid the characters in creating a more desirable self whether it is to escape or as a result of denial. Blanche’s lies help her in creating the persona of a southern belle as well as a pure woman, seen symbolically in her “costume jewelry” that Stanley throws at the floor. This jewelry is a metaphor for her false persona that she creates, emphasized by the repetitive white costuming seen throughout. Her persona of a sexually pure woman is established through dramatic irony when she tells Mitch she has “old fashioned ideals”, which is juxtaposed with the previous scene with the young boy. Her longing for a more desirable self is further illustrated when she confesses to Mitch that she doesn’t “tell the truth, (she) tells what ought to be the truth”. Stella’s more desirable self is one with a healthy loving relationship with her husband Stanley. Her lies take form of self-denial as for her, that is a coping mechanism for the abuse relationship she lives with. Stella’s sense of innocence is emphasized when she refers to Stanley as being “As good as a lamb”. This quote shows the audience how she is unintentionally binding herself to an unhealthy relationship, thus denying herself of the truth. Stanley’s more desirable self is a person in complete control with a distorted view of the world, and is an indirect lie. Much like Blanche’s lies, they can be seen to be creating a fantasy world he longs to be true. The dramatic irony of “swine huh” creates a sense of danger for the audience and exposes this hatred of loss of control.

It is though, the judgment and belief of society that determines whether these lies are compatible with reality. In this new world it is Blanche’s fantasy that is most vulnerable and easily destroyed as she finds herself in a foreign environment. [Talk about how her persona she has created clashes with the surroundings she is in and how it...