Pub Two: Alternate Realities Can Help Escape the Truth

 Alternate Realities Can Help Escape the Truth

Tennesse Williams uses his characters in the iconic play “A Streetcar Named Desire” to exemplify the idea that people use denial as a coping mechanism. Many times, people do not want to see the truth because the truth may be too hard to face. Refusing the truth can be easier for people which is seen through many characters in the play. The main character’s in Williams’ play face denial in a multitude of ways. Stella stated in the play, “I couldn't go on believing her story and live with Stanley" (Stella, Scene 11). This quote is the epitome of denial being used as a coping mechanism in this story. In Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire," denial emerges as a central theme, shaping the characters' identities and driving the narrative forward. Through the characters of Stella Kowalski and Blanche DuBois, Williams explores various manifestations of denial, revealing its destructive nature and the consequences it brings. Denial can be seen as a very prevalent theme in writing as well as in pop culture.

Stella Kowalski faces denial in a way that is extreme. She is caught between her sister and her husband. Despite knowing the truth about Stanley's abusive behavior, Stella chooses to overlook it, clinging to the hope that their relationship will improve. There were various times in the play where Stella faced physical abuse from Stanley, but she simply denies the dangers of everything that is occurring. In Scene Three, Stanley and his friends are playing poker until Stanley has a sudden outburst of anger and charges at Stella. The friends leave and Blanche believes it would be better for her sister to not sleep with him for the night. Throughout the night, Stella leaves and goes back to Stanley, ignoring the violence he ensued. In the morning, Blanche tried to address the situation to her sister, but Stella states, “I'd forgotten how excitable you are. You're making much too much fuss about this." (Stella, Scene Four). She denies the severity of their dysfunctional dynamic, rationalizing and justifying Stanley's actions as products of his rough nature and their passionate love. She would rather live in a lie than face the truth of the violent dynamic that her and Stanley have. Later on in the story, Stanley decides to rape Blanche, Stella’s sister, right after Stella gave birth to their child. When Blanche tries to tell Stella about it, she decides to send Blanche to a mental institution and refuses to believe Blanche’s story. Stella states the iconic quote, “I couldn't go on believing her story and live with Stanley" (Stella, Scene 11).  Stella's denial allows her to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability in her life, but it also perpetuates the cycle of abuse and dysfunction within her marriage. She did not want to face the truth of what Stanley did because it was easier for her to live in denial. Stella uses denial as a coping mechanism because she believes it is easier to live in the dark rather than facing the truth of everything that Stanley has done. 

Blanche embodies denial through the entire play in numerous ways. Blanche can be seen as the most prominent character associated with denial. She refuses to confront the harsh realities of her life, instead preferring to escape into a world of fantasy and illusion. There are various times where Stella creates stories to make people have a better perception about her. One of her first lies is telling Stella, "I guess you're hoping I'll say I'll put up at a hotel, but I'm not going to put up at a hotel. I want to be near you, to be with somebody, I can't be alone! Because-as you must have noticed-I'm-not very well" (Blanche, Scene One). The reality was, Blanche could not afford a hotel and needed to stay with Stella. Blanche is in denial about not being able to afford a hotel which is why she is telling Stella that she cannot be alone. She does not want to admit the truth because she does not want to ruin the way Stella perceives her. Blanche denies her aging, her fading beauty, and the consequences of her promiscuity and alcoholism. She constantly seeks compliments and affirmations from men so that she can continue to be in denial about everything happening in her life. Towards the end of the play and the lead up of the rape scene with Stanley and Blanche, Stanley starts to call Blanche out on things she was lying about. She claimed a millionaire from Dallas was going to come save her and was lying about interactions she had with another character, Mitch. Stanley states "There isn't a goddam thing but imagination" (Stanley, Scene Ten)! She creates elaborate stories about her past to mask the truth, indicating a deep-seated denial of her own failures and mistakes. She wanted everyone to have a different perception of her, but ultimately all the lies came back and haunted her. Blanche tried to use denial and deception to help her self image. 

In pop-culture, there are many songs about denial. Ariana Grande wrote a song that embodies denial called “we can’t be friends (wait for you)” in her album Eternal Sunshine. The song is suggested to be about her ex husband or even her late ex who passed away. She talks about how her lover and her cannot make amends, but maybe one day they will like her again. The lyrics state, “We can’t be friends, But I’d like to just pretend, You cling to your papers and pens, Wait until you like me again.” Although she understands the relationship has ended, she grapples with the idea that maybe one day they will come back. Instead of facing the truth of what happened in a relationship, people can be in denial believing it can all workout again. This idea relates back to the play by Williams because many of the characters also live in a state of denial rather than coming to terms with the truth. 

Through the characters of Blanche and Stella, Williams illustrates the destructive consequences of denial and the ways it can distort reality, harm relationships, and ultimately lead to tragedy. "A Streetcar Named Desire" serves as an exploration of the tendency to deny uncomfortable truths, highlighting the importance of facing the truth and confronting the complexities of situations. This theme can be seen in literature as well as in music. 

Work Cited

Grande, Ariana. “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love).” Spotify, 8 Mar. 2024, open.spotify.com/track/46kspZSY3aKmwQe7O77fCC?si=2755938954f0458a. 

Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. Edited by E. Browne, Penguin Classics, 2009.