A Streetcar Named Desire: Top Ten Theme Quotes (plus analysis...)

A Streetcar Named Desire: Top Ten Theme Quotes (plus analysis…)

A Streetcar Named Desire: Top Ten Theme Quotes

Identity

  • Blanche: “I don’t want realism. I want magic!”
    • This statement from Blanche reveals her intention to flee from reality. It highlights her desperate need to stick to her own constructed identity despite the stark reality confronting her.
  • Blanche: “Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
    • These lines hint at Blanche’s reliance on others for preserving her feigned identity. She is constantly seeking validation, highlighting her insecurity and vulnerability.

Fantasies and Illusions

  • Blanche: “I don’t tell truth, I tell what ought to be truth […]”
    • This quote reflects Blanche’s retreat into the world of illusion, trying to escape her traumatic past. It underlines the theme of the deceptive nature of appearances.

Desire

  • Blanche: “What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it’s curved like a road through mountains.”
    • With this quote, Blanche signifies the complex and unpredictable nature of desire, showing us that human passions are not straight but multifaceted, often leading to hardships and disasters.

Degeneration and Decay

  • Blanche: “Physical beauty is passing - a transitory possession.”
    • Blanche’s remark underlines the theme of decay of physical attractiveness and the transitory nature of youth and beauty.
  • Blanche: “The opposite is desire.”
    • Here, Blanche equates desire to death, pointing towards the degenerative aspect of intense passion that can lead to the disintegration of one’s self.

Power and Dominance

  • Stanley: “I am the king around here, so don’t forget it.”
    • Stanley’s declaration underscores the theme of male dominance and underscores his desire to remain the unquestioned authority in his household.
  • Stanley: “We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning!”
    • Stanley’s chilling proclamation illustrates his predatory nature, reminding us of the power dynamics in place.

Sacrifice

  • Stella: “But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark—that sort of make everything else seem—unimportant.”
    • Stella’s statement hints at the sacrifices she is willing to make for her relationship, including tolerating Stanley’s aggressive tendencies.

Gender Roles

  • Eunice: “You got to keep on goin’, no matter what happens.”
    • Eunice’s remark encapsulates the resilience of womanhood, emphasising the endurance women must exercise in the oppressive sociocultural construct.

Keep these quotes and their analysis in your mind; they will greatly aid your understanding and discussion of the various themes in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’