This was an interesting piece because it was so different from our other readings and especially our last reading, Their Eyes Were Watching God. A lot of the differences though, were similar to Kate Chopin's writings. Both Williams' and Chopin's pieces were set in Louisianna where the culture was completely different. "A Streetcar Named Desire" had even less mention of race than Chopin did. There was only one mention of a black woman in the 1st scene and then not again. I think that the minor detail that this was character was only given the title of "negro woman" (she wasn't given a name) shows that race was still an issue. The only scene this character was mentioned in, she was given a task to do by a white woman, implying that she was a servant. Racism was still an issue but not in the way that we have become accostomed to in our readings and in our class discussions, it was not white vs. black. Because "A Streetcar Named Desire" was set in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Blanche's biggest issue with Stanley was his race, he was an immigrant. I found this interesting that Williams still covered one of our biggest themes-racism, but in an entirely new way and amongst different individuals. Yet at the same time, Williams keeps one of the strongest themes of culture in Blanche's character. Blanche is the stereotypical Southern belle who had grown up on a plantation. We have seen repeatedly in our readings how important the plantation is a symbol of the Southern family. Here there were also similarities to Katherine Anne Porter's writings. This picture of the Old South and this way of life was disappearing. Blanche and Stella's family had died and they had to sell Bella Reve, both the physical and symbolic aspects of their family had disappeared, and this was a key theme for the Old South. Stella had managed to adjust to life and fit in to life in the French Quarter. Stella's life symbolizes the New South. Blanche on the other hand represents the Old South and when she went to live in New Orleans with Stella and Stanley, she did not fit in and in the end she wasn't able to make it.
I also found similarities to Zora Neale Hurston in the scene where Stanley beats Stella. (on pg 653-654). The issue of domestic abuse is glossed over as though it is no big deal. The same happened when Tea Cake whipped Janie. Its almost like its expected. It was not unusual. This was another scene where it was obvious that Blanche did not fit in because of the fact that she saw domestic abuse as a problem. I thought this was very interesting that this was a pair of the culture and society of the time.
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4 comments:
Wow I never saw it like that, that is so true. Race was discussed in this chapter. But no blacks against whites it was more of the fact that Blanche didnt like Stanley because he was an immigrant and this still happens today. Its funny that you brought that up because i didnt notice that.
I also now that you mention it see a lot to do with Gender roles. Stella is the house wife (which according to the film verison she wasn't very good at keeping house), she never asked for money, she took the beating and came back to him,etc. Stanley is the big man he earns the money, goes bowling, plays poker, raises a ruckus, etc. He was too interested in what kind of money he could get out to selling of Belle Reve and his Napoleanic code.
I liked how you talked about the fact that we saw racism in a different way- towards immigrants. I think Williams chose to do that because it was the shift in America during this time. While yes, there was still a great amount of racism towards blck people, immigrants were feeling the heat as well. I definitely saw the connection between Hurston and the part where Stanley beat Stella. Again we see the idea that if the man is sorry, and apologizes after beating his wife, it's ok. Because he truly loved her. Your comparasion to Katherine Anne Porter is also a very good one. The southern belle was definitely a big part of the story, how ever we see that Blanche isn't the southern belle she would like us all to believe.
I find that this play isn't about the struggle between blacks and whites but the struggles within the family. It shows how a couple encounters an inlaw that is insane. at first you think that she is alright but later on its develops that she is insane and twisted and just too much for the couple.
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