Essay
cultural differences in 'a streetcar named desire' and 'oranges are not the inly fruit'
- Module
- A Streetcar Named Desire
- Institution
- AQA
cultural differences essay practice
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In Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, the significance of cultural differences within thenovel are great as Williams portrays a narrative in which there are themes of loss, isolation and
individualism, that are classic traits within a modernist 1940s novel. The cultural differences within
the novel are significant as they explore the Old and New South conflicts, as well as the American
westernised society and the dying aristocratic class being dominated by the rising industrial working
class. In comparison, Jeanette Winterson’s Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, shows the abstraction of
a post modernist novel, that explores the contrasting themes of identity, intertextuality and fiction
that is present in this 1970s novel. The cultural differences within Oranges are not the only fruit, is
significant as the novel has a greater historical complexity than that of A streetcar named desire
through the beginnings of the visibility of homosexuality, religion and the rises of feminism.
Throughout this essay I am going to discuss the contrasting cultural differences, such as gender,
society and setting, and the significance of these cultural differences.
In A Streetcar Named Desire Williams presents the complexities of gender through the relationship
between main protagonist Blanche and antagonist Stanley. By creating this sense of conflict
between these two characters, it creates extensive symbolism throughout the narrative as Blanche is
often clashing with Stanley over his ‘animalistic’ personality and the treatment of Stella. As well as
Blanche disapproving of Stanley, we find that Williams portrays gender within its reality throughout
the narrative as women are considered subordinate to men. This idea of male domination over
women is supported by the character of Blanche as she is frequently dependent on men. Blanche’s
dependency on men is shown through her time at the ‘tarantula arms’, in which she lures in men for
money and a place to stay.
Another classic presentation of gender stereotypes within this 1940s era is the classic wife
stereotype in which the wife is commonly portrayed as a submissive, obedient, passive and
unassuming woman. Williams portrays Stella’s passivity on multiple occasions, ‘I like to wait on you
Blanche’ and even the passivity that Stella has towards Stanley and his physical violence (‘Stanley
charges after Stella’). Whilst Stella is in love with Stanley despite his ‘animalistic’ traits, Stella also has
a financial dependency on her husband that can be linked to the marxist theory in which Stanley is
an industrial labor worker that provides for the wife.
This idea of gender stereotypes can also link to the aspects of society and setting, in which Williams
shows the reality of living in a patriarchal society that favours the role of men. In 1947 America,
women were still portrayed through the idea of the classic ‘house wife’, which became a difficulty to
accept for women after their key roles in World War 2. After the changes towards women during
world war 2 and the new job opportunities that were now available for women, there was an
increase of support in the feminist movement which resulted in many new changes and
opportunities for women. In a feminist view of this novel, there would be much hatred towards
domestic abuser Stanley as well as the female characters being a victim of patriarchal oppression.
Williams highlights the cultural differences through the portrayal of the Old South and New South
after World War Two. Blanche becomes a symbol for the Old South, as she often conveys her
snobbish aristocratic Old South attitudes by arguing that she is not ‘hypocritical’ but ‘honestly
critical’. Blanche’s attitude towards Stanley creates the tone of conflict that becomes an echoing
motif throughout the novel. Whilst Blanche may symbolise the old south ideals, Stanley symbolises
the new south ideals through the industrial working class and the ‘animal joy’ restlessness that
clouds his personality after World War Two. This clash of aristocracy and lower class creates a
conflict of cultural differences that becomes significant as the novel prevails.
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