Reality vs. Illusion essays

Reality vs. Illusion essays In Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire, a major theme that is present is the desire to escape. In the play, Williams clearly tends to favor the real world of Stanley and Stella Kowalski, than the imaginary world of the unfortunate Blanche Dubois. He demonstrates that when the two worlds intersect, reality will smash the artificial world of illusion. The first evidence that proves Williams alliance with reality, is Blanches life before New Orleans, in Laurel. Blanche had fell in love and married a boy whom she thought of as perfect in every way. Unfortunately for her he is a homosexual. This intrusion of reality breaks up her dream image of her husband, and she tells him how he disgusts her. He then commits suicide, and Blanche forever blames herself. These unpleasant realities that have invaded her life make her find refuge in promiscuous relationships with all kinds of men. She still believes that she is a refined and respectable woman, but in reality she is nothing but a tramp that is forced to leave Laurel. Another instance where the two worlds conflict is the night of the poker game. When Stanley gets drunk and beats Stella, Blanche is extremely upset and disgusted. His actions convince her that she must leave with Stella. She concocts a ridiculous plan to run away with Shep Huntleigh, an acquaintance she had seen long ago. Stella being more realistic, knows that this plan has no merit. She knows that Stanley is crude and violent at times but she knows how to cope. Besides, she is about to have a baby and cannot raise a child without a father. Stella decides to stay with Stanley, and seems to forget about the event as if it never happened. Stella has chosen Stanley over Blanche, and in the process choosing reality over illusion. The two defining incidents in the play clearly show that Tennessee Williams favors the world of reality. The moments before Stanley rapes Blanche is the first tim ...