A Strretcar Named Desire
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Conflict causes most of us a great degree of discomfort, anger, frustration, sadness, and pain. Conflict is a struggle between two or more forces that creates a tension that must be resolved (although in some stories, as in real life, it isnt). Examples of different types of conflict include:
– Cultural social class conflict.
-Emotional conflict
-Group conflict (racial)
-Conflict with the characters environment
-Physical conflict
-Inner conflict.
-Spiritual conflict.
-Family conflict.
“A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams contains many different types of conflict. The most major type of conflict in “A Streetcar Named Desire” is social class conflict between the main characters. Also conflict with the main characters environment. One of the main characters Blanche Dubois suffers from a great degree of emotional and inner conflict. A recurring theme found is a constant conflict between reality and fantasy. Another important example of conflict in “A Streetcar Named Desire” is physical conflict. Another main theme is conflict within the family.
“The Parable of The Lost Son” is a short story that uses characters to express moral truth. The different types of conflict in “The Parable of The Lost Son” are; spiritual conflict which are the morals of the characters, emotional and inner conflict, family conflict and conflict with the environment.
In William Shakespeares “Romeo and Juliet” prologue there are many types of conflict. Spiritual conflict the characters morals, emotional and inner conflict, family conflict, group conflict (racial) and cultural social class conflict.
“Life is a Prison” by Puff is a short poem about someone who wants to commit suicide. The different types of conflict are; emotional conflict, they suffer from depression also inner conflict the author of the poem hates life and doesnt want to aim to high. Conflict with the environment the author hates where they are and want to get out. These four texts have many similarities and differences.
Conflict can be seen and applied in “A Streetcar Named Desire” between the sensitive, neurotic Blanche DuBois and the crude, brutal Stanley Kowalski. Stanley Kowalskie, is a common man who is simple, straightforward and brutally honest. Blanche is deceptive, arrogant and seductive. Conflict first arises when Blanche arrives at the Kowalski household and Stanleys authority over his home is questioned. Stanley has always had authority and control of his home and also his wife Stella. When Blanche arrives he feels that she is trying to take over the household and take Stella away from him, neither of them want to give Stella up. This is shown on page 161 and 162 scene four, Blanche is telling Stella “he acts like an animal, has an animals habits! Dont hang out with the brutes! In that scene Stanley is listening to what Blanche is saying but Blanche does not know. Also in scene four Blanche is telling Stella she should get away from Stanley because you cant live with a man like Stanley. Blanche says to Stella on page 161: what such a man has to offer is animal force and he gave a wonderful exhibition of that! But the only way to live with such a man – go to bed with him! Another problem between Blanche and Stanley is Blanche who had been caring for a generation of dying relatives at Belle Reve has been forced to sell the family plantation, conflict arises over Belle Reve and Stanleys “Napoleonic code”. In scene one page 126 Blanche tells Stella; I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together! And on page 127 Blanche says to Stella; I let the place go? Where were you. In bed with your Polak! Blanche has told the Kowalskis that she had lost Belle Reve but without proof suspicions arrive with Stanley. In scene two page 138 Stanley quotes; there is such a thing in this State of Louisiana as the Napoleonic code, according to which whatever belongs to my wife is also mine – vice versa. He also asks; Im talking about legal papers. Connected with the plantation. Stanley does not believe Blanche and thinks Blanche spent all the money that belonged to him and his wife Stella on herself. A recurring theme is the cultural social class conflict. Stanley represents the new America being formed during the 20th century. He is the breadwinner of the family who often becomes over controlling and sometimes violent. As part of the working force, Stanley has few luxuries. He is proud of his job and life; however, he does not have anything spectacular to show for it. He is proud of his Polish family heritage and takes great offense when being called a Polack. As a realist, Stanley sees things as they are. Blanche is from the old south a very wealthy location. The Dubois owned a very massive plantation called Belle Reve. Blanche came from a aristocracy background whereas Stanley came from a proletariat background. In scene one page 121 Blanche says to Stella; why, that you had to live in these conditions. The differences between Stanley and Blanche can be seen simply from what each character represents. Blanche represents “the old south”, with dying traditions whilst Stanley represents “the new south” where courtesy no longer exists and its every man for themselves. Symbolism is used between Blanche and Stanley When “the blue piano” is used it is very much Stanleys situation where he is control compared to the “polka music” which is typically in the background when in relationship to Blanche.
Blanche has emotional and psychological problems because of her past. In scene six page 183 Blanche is telling Mike about her past; hed struck the revolver into his mouth and fired so that the back of his head, had been blown away. Also in that scene Blanche mentions Allan (her husband) is a bi-sexual corrupt. Blanche was also forced to sell Belle Reve to pay for the many funeral expenses. She finds herself living at the second-rate Flamingo Hotel. In an effort to escape the misery of her life in Laurel, Blanche drinks heavily and has meaningless matters. Blanche is unable to let go of the past; it is her fatal flaw. She allows the polka music to keep playing in her head.
Blanche dwells in illusion; fantasy is her primary means of self-defense that protects her from the