Tennessee Williams - A Streetcar Named Desire: A Play

I don?t know about you, but when I watch (or read) a play, I need at least a slim chance of hope for one of the main characters in the end. Otherwise, the utter despair and frustration they experience will infuriate me and make me wish I?d never seen (or read) the worthless thing. This was, unfortunately, my experience with the Tennessee Williams? Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire.

The action begins in springtime in New Orleans? poor, but charming-looking section by the railroad. Stella and Stanley Kowalski are expecting their first child in the fall when her sister comes for an extended visit. From the first Blanche is nervous around Stanley, a surly, aggressive man around her, and the tension builds painfully as she starts dating his best friend. Even though Stanley knows how rough her life has been back South, losing her home and family, he digs up the dirt on her that she?s trying to escape. Not good enough for his best friend, he destroys her chances to marry and buys her a bus ticket home. Of course she has a nervous breakdown with nowhere to go. On top of that, when his wife is in the hospital in labor, he rapes Blanche!

Suddenly it?s the last scene, a few weeks later. Stella couldn?t believe her sister?s ?story? because then she wouldn?t be able to stay with Stanley who she loves and is father of her child. Blanche must go. They called a mental institution to pick her up, surprising Blanche when she sees the doctor and nurse instead of an old beau. They take her away finally screaming and Stella cries convulsively for her. All Stanley can think about is that they?re alone now on the porch, his poker friends back in the apartment. He comforts her, unbuttoning her blouse with the baby in her arms no less!

Blanche?s final line had been, ?Whoever you are?I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.? Too bad she couldn?t depend on the only family she had left in the world.

What I Thought

I could see this in my mind being played out since the stage directions and description are well-detailed. The dialog is inspired, moving the story along and showing us who the characters are and their apartment was realistically set next to a blues piano bar with the constant strains in the background and vendors of Mexican and ?Negro? heritage passing by and calling out. That?s not my complaint. My problem stems from the fact that it is such a tragedy for Blanche and the Kowalskis are going to just go on with their lives as usual.

I mean, it?s infuriating! What right did Stanley have to ruin Blanche?s chance for happiness as well as his best friend?s? His best friend?s mother has recently died, too, leaving him truly alone. My heart goes out to them. What do I care about Stanley or even Stella?

So I cannot recommend this play despite its Pulitzer prize and popularity on the stage and film because of the then hunk Marlon Brando. Every play doesn?t have to be a comedy for me to like it, but even tragedies should have one redeeming quality that makes them more palatable. This play was only about Stanley?s burning desire for wrecking Blanche?s life and nobody else?s desire, especially not the audience. If there?s one thing I learned about writing a successful play, it?s to think about your audience and make it worth their while. I wouldn?t go see this play today if you paid me. Now if this was thirty years ago and Marlon was playing Stanley?:-)