A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Delusion

Theme: Delusion

Delusion is a major theme in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, it’s mainly displayed through Blanche DuBois who struggles between illusion and reality.
Blanche’s delusions stem from her inability to accept the harsh realities of her life, including her fall from socialite status, the loss of her ancestral home ‘Belle Reve’, her age, and her promiscuous past.
Williams uses Blanche’s delusions as a defence mechanism against her regret and her inability to keep up with the fast-changing modern world.
Blanche’s delusions highlight the conflict between old Southern values and the new industrialized era represented by Stanley.

Key Quotes

“I don’t want realism. I want magic!” - This quote by Blanche shows her preference for fanciful illusions over harsh reality.
“I tell what ought to be truth” - Blanche openly admits to lying and creating her own reality, signifying her disconnect from the real world.
“Cards on the table or no deal!” - Stanley’s quote signifies the juxtaposition between Blanche’s illusions/delusion and his own brutal realism.
“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” - This line further emphasises Blanche’s dependence on fantasy and illusion, trying to project an image of a vulnerable woman to elicit sympathy.

Analysis of Delusion in the Play

Blanche’s embellishments and lies can be viewed as a desperate attempt to maintain her dignity and self-respect, reflect the Southern Belle image she once held.
Her age and beauty, which she constantly tries to hide, can be seen as symbols of her general inability to face reality.
The use of physical objects like the paper lantern to hide stark light, represents Blanche’s constant effort to live in a world of illusion.
The transition from the elegiac music of the Vieux Carré to the coarse vitality of “Stanley’s world” reflects Blanche’s loss of her fragile lull of delusion against the unwavering reality.
Blanche’s eventual descent into madness can be seen as the complete embrace of her deluded fantasies over reality.

Investigate how the theme of delusion influences the characters’ actions and the outcome of the play for your critical essay. Use the quotes provided to offer evidence in support of your statements. Think about the underlying motives behind Blanche’s delusion, and clarify its impact on her character development throughout the play. Remember to discuss how her eventual breakdown acts as the dramatic climax in an academic and thought-provoking manner.