Define the key words in the question:
Cultural differences: variations in beliefs, values, norms, customs, behaviors and traditions between different groups of people, often shaped by their geographic, historical, social, and religious backgrounds.
Williams’ exploration of Blanche’s downfall falls under many different umbrellas. It can be seen first of all through her fall in terms of socio economic standing with the loss of Belle Reve. However her downfall is also metaphysical as her mores and ideals represent the America of old whereas what she must essentially do is adapt to the new America of the 1940s-1950s. Blanche Dubois the aging Southern belle personifies the ethos of excess of the Bourgeoisie. Her highbrow snobbery and elitist point of view can be seen from the onset of the play with her condescending commentary of the Kowalski’s’ apartment, “Oh, you have a bathroom! First door to the right at the top of the stairs?” Blanche’s subtle commentary on space reflects her disdain at the size of her sister’s house. Furthermore, Blanche’s own perception of her status as a high class Southern belle is also established through her use of long prose as well as French. “Je suis la dame aux Camellias! Vous etes Armand.” Here her use of French undermines the education of Mitch to which ironically is proleptic of Blanche’s fate as the line alludes to a well known romance in which a courtesan is “saved” by love but later dies of tuberculosis. However as a whole Blanche’s placement in New Orleans provides a narrative hook for the audience as her demeanour and dress establish her as the other within this setting. Williams creates this juxtaposition between Blanche and the setting to show the audience her lack of belonging from the start and there is a reflection as well of society as Williams commentator on how this is now place for the other in New America and could be even suggested that Blanche’s unique nature is what in fact leads to her eventual downfall. Leading to the interpretation that Streetcar is a tragedy of the Other in light of the Us versus Them mentality created through McCarthyism in the 1950s. Furthermore, Williams explores the metaphysical in Blanche’s delusions and persistence of fantasy over reality. We as the audience first see the crack in Blanche’s maintenance of her Southern belle facade in her alcoholism. The stage directions 8 IAL English Literature Unit 2 Drama exemplars with examiner commentaries show this “Suddenly she notices something ... removes a whiskey bottle ... pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down.” This is then contradicted with her words to Stella later on “No, one’s my limit.” The dramatic irony created here allows for the audience a glimpse at the real broken Blanche from the start and allows for questioning of her mentality as she finds the need to conceal all aspects of her desires which declare her unladylike. Blanche’s world of fantasy can be expressed as being her coping mechanism as she refuses to face up to realities of who she really is: woman with a tarnished reputation and promiscuous background. She finally admits her delusions towards Mitch after Stanley shatters her charade with proof of her tainted past. “I’ll tell you what I want. Magic! I tell what ought to be the truth... don’t turn the light on.” The metaphorical magic here is referring to Blanche in her fantasy world, in her lies. From a psychoanalytical standpoint it is at this point now that Blanche has lost control and has slipped into her own lies, therefore suggesting she believes in them herself. Furthermore the motif of light is often representative of finally seeing Blanche as who she is ... merely an ageing woman with a disreputable past therefore Williams creates Blanche as the character of the night not allowing anyone to see who she truly is, her own delusions add to her downfall. Moreover, a sense of inevitability is created in Blanche’s downfall and this is seen through the initial symbolism of Blanche’s journey as well as the state of conflict between Stanley and Blanche. “They told me to take a streetcar named Desire and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks down and get off at Elysian Fields. Symbolically this journey represents Blanche’s life journey through her misdoings in Laurel through desire and then past the cemeteries which is metaphorical for both her death and her family lives death then lastly followed by the allusion to the Greek land of the dead, Elysian Fields. The connotations with Elysian Fields suggests a final nothingness or even a final resting place, which would suggest Blanche’s final chance at life to which was ripped away by Stanley, evoking pathos from the audience as they sympathise with her character’s lack of closure. However this can be suggested as a superficial reading as Blanche and Stanley’s constant state of conflict in their opposing views, one as post modern proletariat versus the modern embodiment of the bourgeoisie suggest that her downfall was due to her own lack of adaptation and her firm dependence on men which is reflected in her final lines to the doctor “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” whilst instead she should have depended on herself. In conclusion Williams’ uses Blanche’s character as a way of expressing his own sense of repression as a gay man in the 1950s. As his situation parallels Blanche’s in that they are both Others in the eyes of American society. Therefore overall A Streetcar provides harsh criticism upon the realities of life as an Other and Blanche’s downfall both mentally and physically showcases to the audience the brutality and mentality of the new ethos of society thus evoking a sense of sympathy as well as awareness to Williams’ commentary – Blanche’s tragedy is merely a foil for the struggles of the minority “other”.