A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Dependence

Theme: Dependence

Dependence on Men: Blanche constantly seeks male companionship, remaining dependent on men for her economic, emotional and societal survival. This dependency underlines her inherent vulnerability and is pivotal to her eventual downfall.
Dependence on Alcohol: A recurring theme in the play, alcohol dependence serves as Blanche’s coping mechanism, blurring her realities and providing her an escape. This dependence further exacerbates her fragile psychological state.
Dependence on Illusion: Trapped in a perpetual cycle of reality and delusion, Blanche relies on her fantasies as a psychological reprieve. Her tragic end underscores the dangers of such dependence on illusion.

Characters and Dependence

Blanche DuBois: Her dependence on men for emotional stability and her incessant need for assurance underscores her suspect mental health.
Stanley Kowalski: He depends on his physical prowess to assert power and dominance, reflecting his basic instincts and animalistic nature.
Stella Kowalski: She is shown to be reliant on her husband, Stanley, even tolerating his aggressive behaviours out of her love for him and need for him.

Key Quotes

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” - Blanche. An iconic quote revealing her hopeful yet desperate dependence on others.
“Even when he’s rude and common and treats me roughly. I drop the poker night, see?” - Stella. Illustrates her dependence on and devotion to Stanley despite his brutality.

Literary Techniques

Use of symbolism: Visual elements like the Varsouviana polka — a symbol of Blanche’s guilt and the loss of her young husband — help outline Blanche’s increasing dependence on her past.
Foreshadowing: Blanche’s constant dependence on others foreshadows her eventual reliance on a mental institution for survival.
Dramatic irony: The audience is aware of Blanche’s increasing fragility and dependence, yet other characters remain oblivious, particularly Stanley. This heightens the audience’s empathy for Blanche.
Tennessee Williams uses vivid imagery and strong dialogue to portray Blanche’s desperate dependence on men and her romantic illusions.

In your essay, adequately build on these points and interlink them to produce a comprehensive analysis of the theme of dependence in “A Streetcar Named Desire”.