Lecture Two: Desire

 

    In March, we discussed desire in the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennesse Williams. To desire something is to want or long for something; it could involve lust. Blanche, a character in the play, seeks for male approval from Stanley and other men in the story. She wanted to be the center of attention, loved, and validated. In Scene Two, she states, "Oh, in my youth I excited some admiration, But look at me now! Would you think it's possible that I was once considered to be attractive" (Blanche, 38)? She even stated how she was "fishing for a compliment" (Blanche, 39). She desired to be noticed and admired in order to boost her own ego. Within this lecture, illusion and trauma were discussed as well. Blanche created numerous false realities and illusions in order to help herself image to others. She would continuously lie in order to help make herself appear better. Trauma can also haunt someone and make them fearful. Blanche experienced trauma over a suicide of someone within her life. Blanche overall was a complex character within the play. She exemplified the various themes of desire, illusion, and trauma. This lecture also gave insight on how desire can ultimately drive a person's actions.