I AM
AMYEM
English Major, lifelong learner, impractical perfectionist.
Painting: Iris Fields - Paul Chester
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Painting: Iris Fields - Paul Chester
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A Streetcar Named Desire is one of Tennessee Williams' most famous plays. Not only is it simply iconic and memorable (i.e.: Steeellllaaa!!!!!) but it paints the world as it was then and how it is now. Conflict drives story. That is known throughout every piece of literature, film, and any other media. There is conflict in the class tensions of Stanley and Blanche, with Stella in the middle choosing between. There is conflict in the differences and evolution of a New South from the Old. There's conflict in the emergence of a New World - changed by the First World War. Stanley is the epitome of violent masculinity, and Stella is being forced back into the domestic life of being at home. But the biggest conflict, though, is derived from Fordism. Fordism evolved from the emergence of Ford as a car company. The mass production lead to mass consumerism, and therefore, massive growth. Capitalism does not allow for art or poetry, which is what Blanche is searching for. She wants meaning and art in her life. Her femininity is displayed through this desire for art and meaning, which paints her as delusional and desperate. Stanley, on the other hand, is nearly personified as capitalism. He is the working, middle-class male. The provider for the family. Capitalism demands things to be lucrative and innovative. It pays no mind to the art in life. Stanley uses this personified demand to get his desire - Stella. He also uses it to get rid of Blanche, using her femininity against her. Conflict drives story. And this conflict is followed from the beginning to end, demonstrated through the desires of each character, and the methods in which they go to get that desire. All it took was a streetcar to set it into motion.
3 Comments
Chloe Fleming
9/29/2019 07:56:57 am
I love how you took a different perspective of Stanley by referring him to being a capitalist, as well as saying that the whole play was driven by conflict!
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Cassidy Mustard
9/29/2019 10:40:16 am
I love the pictures that you used in this blog! I think it was really nice how you introduced fordism and capitalism, especially connecting them to the characters. My favorite part of this blog was, "All it took was a streetcar to set it into motion" It fits so well with what you were talking about and the play itself!
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Rachel Moorman
9/29/2019 11:03:25 am
This was a very different reading of the book I have not seen yet. Very interesting. I enjoyed how you kept mentioning how the conflict drove the story, and then defined that driving force as desire. I think this view offers a beautiful look on how desire destroyed almost all the characters. Blanche because she couldn't bare to be alone, which drove her to always search for someone knew to be with. Stanley because his desire to control Stella drove him to hurt her and make her turn from him And Stella because her desire for Stanley drove her to stay in a toxic relationship., Overall great points and I enjoyed the read.
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Meet Amy -This blog is to share insights into things I'm reading or studying. Feel free to share your input! Archives
October 2020
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