Streetcar Critics/Interpretations

the Young Vic production

• the extensive use of props and costume further emphasise her desire to conceal her true self with expensive clothing which is faithful to the original play, yet she wears designer items in this modern context which harshly contrasts with the casual clothing of Stanley (army style khaki) and Stella, perhaps creating even more tension in Stanley’s loathing of Blanche’s money

• at the end of scene 1, there is harsh blue lighting along with a loud burst of synth music, perhaps reflecting the blues motif, a colder and harsher mood and further conveying the strength of her memories and the pain it causes her by surprising the audience creating even more sympathy, possibly evoking imagery of water as if she is drowning in her emotions or that she will metaphorically drown from her constant cleansing, which only leads Mitch to highlight her impurity, or drowning her sorrows with alcohol

• the production is performed completely in the round, meaning that the characters are being watched at all times, there is nowhere to hide, which further increases emotional pressure on Blanche as it seems as if she is always being tracked and hunted down by Stanley, his actions seem even more shocking as they are in plain sight to the audience, even more raw and brutal and there is nowhere that she can hide

2 (rising action or other areas of the play, family, women - sisterhood)

it has been suggested that ‘Blanche makes Stella the prize that she and Stanley are fighting for’

3 (denouement, suffering)

McEvoy ‘Just to carry on is sometimes the hardest, most tragic thing of all’

4 (denouement, suffering, human weakness)

Williams in order to [produce] ‘a catharsis of pity and terror’ in the audience’, Blanche must finally have the understanding and compassion of the audience.’

5

Sean McEvoy ‘the tragedy lies not in personal circumstances, but in the lives and losses of culture and society itself’

6

'It has been suggested that ‘the tragedy is primarily caused by opposing forces’

7