‘Old South versus New America – A Streetcar Named Desire’ by
Gabi Reigh, September 2015
The title refers to the conflict and “power struggle” between Stanley and Blanche, where their cultures clash: Stanley is the ‘New America’ and Blanche is the ‘Old South.’
Reigh comments on the difference between Stanley and Blanche, which roots from their separate identities. The dissimilarity between these two characters has been shown by Tennessee Williams’ through costume, but more importantly as a reflection of the American Civil War (1961-1965). Agreeing with Reigh, Thomas Porter describes ‘ASND’‘s plot “[as] an inverted version of the Civil War romance”. As Blanche symbolises the Old South, a place which fought against Lincoln’s advocate to end slavery, she comes into the New America viewed as an invader.
The title refers to the conflict and “power struggle” between Stanley and Blanche, where their cultures clash: Stanley is the ‘New America’ and Blanche is the ‘Old South.’
Reigh comments on the difference between Stanley and Blanche, which roots from their separate identities. The dissimilarity between these two characters has been shown by Tennessee Williams’ through costume, but more importantly as a reflection of the American Civil War (1961-1965). Agreeing with Reigh, Thomas Porter describes ‘ASND’‘s plot “[as] an inverted version of the Civil War romance”. As Blanche symbolises the Old South, a place which fought against Lincoln’s advocate to end slavery, she comes into the New America viewed as an invader.
Stanley’s clothes contrast greatly with Blanche’s elegant
attire of “pearls” and a “white suit” as he wears his “blue denim work clothes.”
Williams’ use of costume shows the social background difference from the very
beginning of the play, as Blanche looked as if she had wealth and privilege,
whereas Stanley was just a working man. The values of the two characters are
also identified where Blanche believes Belle Reve was a much more civilised
World than New Orleans.
The "triumph of the New American" supposedly began in the second scene of the play, where Stanley was described as having "big, capable hands." Stanley has been described as being more powerful and seemingly aggressive, as this is a stereotype of the New America compared to the Old South, where they are described as being more "dainty."
Key Quotes
- During the rape scene which forms the dramatic climax of the play, the defeat of the values and culture that Blanche stands for is again symbolically portrayed through costume as Blanche’s glamorous clothes have been replaced by a ‘soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown’, foreshadowing her final humiliation by Stanley, triumphant in his ‘brilliant pyjama coat’.
- As an English teacher, Blanche is a staunch defender of the values of ‘art, and poetry, and music’ which she urges Stella to ‘cling to as [the] flag’ of a more civilised world which is quickly being engulfed by the ‘dark march’ of a philistine modern America.
- The decline of Blanche during the course of the play mirrors the crisis of the Old South after its defeat in the Civil War. Blanche, like other characters of the Southern Gothic, is mentally unstable and increasingly marginalised in a rapidly changing world.
- Stanley’s power and vivacity is highlighted as he is described as the ‘gaudy seedbearer’, whose ‘animal joy’ and ‘drive’ even make Blanche concede to Stella that he’s what we’ve got to mix with our blood now that we’ve lost Belle Reve and have to go on without Belle Reve to protect us.
- Blanche becomes increasingly marginalised in Stanley’s ‘territory’ at Elysian Fields, and her frequent retreats to the bathroom testify to her isolation and alienation in a household where she is not welcome.
By using the essay's viewpoint I have compared it to my own reading of the play. Having read the articlae, I can relate to and understand Reigh's viewpoint of Blanche and Stanley being contrasting. However, I don't believe that Williams' intention was the use them as representatives of the two sides of the American Civil War.
