"A Streetcar Named Desire"

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the guiding theme in "A Streetcar Named Desire," namely, the search for immortality, justification, and redemption. It does this by examining the metaphorical aspects hidden within the story and by drawing comparisons between the main character in William's play and characters in Greek mythology that deal with themes of the afterlife.

From the Paper:

"The first point which must be explored, of course, is the leap into this metaphysical landscape. How does one go from a setting in New Orleans to discussing how this story is set within the scope of the afterlife? Actually, it's rather obvious. Yes, the story takes place in the French Quarter of New Orleans, but more to the point it is set in the "Elysian Fields." According to Greek mythology, the Elysian fields are the afterlife where one is judged and rewarded for past deeds. It is to be noted that Blanche arrives in the Elysian Fields "by way of a Freudian streetcar named "Desire," transferring to one called "Cemeteries."" (Ridell) While that progress from desire to death may be a sort of foreshadowing of the play's narrative arc, it is equally possible that it is a more direct description of the route taken by Blanche prior to the play. (The way that history repeats itself is, of course, a major part of this theme and of most afterlife scenarios, so both foreshadowing and introduction-to-the-past may be intended) In short, Blanche's earlier desires and escapades may have killed her in either a literal or a figurative sense. She then proceeds logically by way of Cemeteries to the afterlife of the Elysian fields."

More papers on "A Streetcar Named Desire":

• Book Review # 86079 : "'A Streetcar Named Desire'"
• Term Paper # 75074 : "Seeing Through Blanche: "A Streetcar Named Desire"
• Analytical Essay # 58795 : "Symbols and Metaphors in "A Streetcar Named Desire"
• Analytical Essay # 120764 : "Power and Conflict in "A Streetcar Named Desire"

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