PAPER 1

 Jourdae Benfante

Professor Brady 

EGL 102

3/24/22

Movie Soundtrack

In ‘A StreetCar Named Desire’ by Tenessse Williams, Williams sets the tone and conveys emotions and feelings throughout the scenes of the play with music. Common themes such as Gender Inequality and Fantasy vs Reality can be represented with today's music. In the play, when music is introduced in a scene it sets the tone/mood and symbolizes Blanche's feelings. When the “Blue Piano” plays it represents truth and reality. When the “Varsouviana Polka” music plays there is a sense of tragedy and reflection of the past. As well as scene seven Blanche sings ‘It's Only A Paper Moon’ in the tub, which symbolizes that she's still living her perfect fantasy life. ‘A StreetCar Named Desire’ movie soundtrack consists of today's latest tunes through these familiar themes.

Gender Inequality is a consistent theme in the play. According to SaveTheChildren.org “Gender inequality is discrimination on the basis of sex or gender causing one sex or gender to be routinely privileged or prioritized over another.” Stella's husband, Stanley, is seemingly chauvinistic and entitled to his position as a male. Stanley is always trying to show he is the dominant one in the house and nothing goes past him. He will do whatever it takes just so he is on top always. In the play scene 3 “ ‘Drunk-drunk-animal thing, you [She rushes through to the poker table] All of you-please go home. If any of you have one spark of decency in you’ …. ‘You lay your hands on me and I’ll-’ [She backs out of sight. He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow, Stella cries out]” (Stella,57). Stanley had a little too much to drink, Stella wanted to end the night and was telling everyone it's time to go. Stanley didn't like that Stella had a voice of her own and he got physical with her in front of everyone. Clearly showing how Stanley didn't like that Stella was telling him what to do. The song ‘Put Another Log on the Fire” by Tompall Glaser represents Stanley in this scene. The song is about male chauvinism at its finest. The man in the song is bossing around the women while she caters to the man and takes care of him. Even sub-titled “Male Chauvinistic National Anthem”. A lyric says “So sit here at my feet cause I like when you're sweet and you know it ain't feminine to fight.” (Glaser, Put Another Log on the Fire). This line relates to the play in scene three because Stanley attacks Stella out of anger that she embarrassed him in front of everyone. Assuming, Stanley wouldn't have hit Stella if she was being “sweet” and “feminine”. Another line from the play that shows there is gender inequality is “He heaves the package at her. She cries out in protest but manages to catch it.” A few lines down… “Stella: ‘Stanley! Where are you going?’ Stanley: ‘Bowling.’ Stella: ‘Can I come watch?’.” Stanley throws the package of meat at Stella which appears to make Stanley look untamed and wild like an animal. A line or two after Stellas asks accommodatingly, if she can come with her husband to watch them bowl. She knows she can’t play with them because she's a woman. Along with Stanley who would lash out, say no and reprimand her if she even asked. The opening scene where Stanley is introduced and throwing the raw meat at Stella “Whatta Man” by Salt-N-Pepa would play. The lyric “What a man, what a man, what a man, What a mighty good man.” (Salt-N-Pepa, Whatta Man), ties together with Stanley's attitude. He thinks he is on top of the world. Stanley views himself on a pedestal. In addition, the song “Natural” by Imagine Dragons shows how male dominated and ruthless Williams made Stanley. The lyric reads “Rather be the hunter than the prey.” The small line says a lot, Stanley would rather be a controlling and demanding person then be seen as weak and quiet which is how he views Stella. It is strongly translucent Stanley is a big part of the theme gender inequality that gets faced throughout the play. Another prevalent theme in the play is fantasy vs reality. Blanche as well as Stella struggle with separating reality and fantasy life. Stella seems to be having an internal conflict with illusion and the truth. She sides with Stanley because it's easier than believing he was capable of raping her sister, Blanche. Stella is shown putting up with and forgiving Stanley multiple times for all the savage ways he acts toward her. “Williams exemplifies, “I know how it must have seemed to you and I'm awful sorry it had to happen, but it wasn't anything as serious as you seem to take it…..He didn't know what he was doing…. He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he's really very, very ashamed of himself.” (Stella, 63). In the lines above Stella defends Stanley saying he is very ashamed and he didn't know what he was doing. However, Stanley acts out like this many times over again and Stella is just desensitized to it therefore not seeing the problem. The play reads “Blanche: ‘He did-what?’ Stella: ‘He smashed all the light bulbs with the heel of my slipper!’ [She laughs.] Blanche: ‘And you-you let him? Didn't run, didn't scream?’ ” (Blanche and Stella, 64). Blanche is astonished by the repetitive behavior from Stanley. Whereas, Stella sees it as a joke because she's laughing and not taking anything serious. The beginning of scene four compares to the song “Love The Way You Lie” by Eminem and Rihanna. A lyric from the song that Eminem sings is “I feel so ashamed... I laid hands on her…I'll never stoop so low again” (Eminem, Love The Way You Lie). The line from the song strongly represents how Stella swore Stanley is ashamed and he really isn't like that with her. In the song the man regrets putting his hands on the women but he goes on to say there is just so much hate that overpowers the relationship then love. Another lyric from the song says “Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? Well, that's alright, because I like the way it hurts. Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?” (Eminem, Love The Way You Lie). This lyric depicts how Stella is not fazed by the chaotic relationship her and Stanley have. Rihanna sings ‘I like the way it hurts’ because she can’t get out of the abusive relationship, like Stella. The end of scene eleven there is definitely a sense of guilt and betrayal between Stella and Blanche which ties into Fantasy vs Reality. For example “Stella: Blanche! Blanche! Blanche! [Blanche walks on without turning…”] Stella calls out to Blanche for reassurance. It seems like Blanche doesn't care because she didn't turn to look when her sister called her name. The song lyric by Gotye says “But you didn't have to cut me off, Make out like it never happened, And that we were nothing, And I don't even need your love, But you treat me like a stranger, And that feels so rough.” (Gotye, Somebody That I Used To Know). This verse of the song portrays what Blanche would've been thinking at that moment. If the audience got a dive into Blanche's head at the end of scene eleven there would be a clear sense of hurt and betrayal. Stella dusted the rape situation under the rug like it never even happened. In the play Stella says “ ‘Oh, my God, Eunice help me! Don't let them do that to her, don't let them hurt her. Oh, God, oh, please God, don't hurt her. What are they doing to her? What are they doing?’ [She tries to break from Eunice's arms.]” (Stella,140). In addition “What have I done to my sister? Oh, God, what have I done to my sister?” (Stella,141). There is guilt that comes with truth. The lines above show how awful, panicked and at fault Stella feels. The consequences of her own actions portray her reality/truth. A lyric from the Song “Train Wreck” by James Arthur says “Home, still a home, still a home here, It's not too late to build it back.” (Arthur, Train Wreck). This goes perfectly with Stellas scene because it shows how if she had another chance she would do things differently. The song is about regret and there is no doubt that's how Stella feels.

Steady with the theme fantasy vs reality, Blanche is internally at a disagreement with herself as well. Blanche faces countless traumatic events throughout the play. This may lead her to create her own delusions as a coping mechanism to heal the pain. Scene nine reads “Mitch: ‘You lied to me, Blanche.’ Blanche: ‘Don't say I lied to you.’ Mitch: ‘Lies, lies, inside and out, all lies.’ Blanche: ‘Never inside, I didn't lie in my heart.’” (Mitch and Blanche, 119).  Mitch confronts Blanche saying that all she did was lie to him. To Blanche she didn’t lie because she knows how she truly feels. The song lyric from Sam Smith says “I'm just protectin' my innocence. I'm just protectin' my soul.” (Smith,Way Too Good At Goodbyes). This line from “Way Too Good At Goodbyes”, depicts how Blanche thinks. She's just protecting herself as a coping mechanism to not get hurt. Meanwhile, she doesn't realize her self sabotage. Another line from the play that shows Blanches’ struggle with fantasy vs reality is “How about taking a swim, a moonlight swim at the old rock quarry? If anyone's sober enough to drive a car!...Only you've got to be careful to dive where the deep pool is-if you hit a rock you don't come up till tomorrow.” (Blanche,122). Blanche is aimlessly talking to herself about going for a swim which doesn't have to do with anything. After Mitch left her, she started drinking and spiraling. The song “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley represents Blanches state of mind “I remember when I remember, I remember when I lost my mind. There was something so pleasant about that place. Even your emotions have an echo in so much space.” (Barkley,Crazy). Blanche doesn't seem like she's thinking clearly and this song illustrates her well. Acting very emotional, aloof and detached from the real world. Stella and Blanche similarly face the same struggles with fantasy vs reality which leads to an important theme throughout the read. 

Frequent themes in “A Streetcar Named Desire” like gender inequality and fantasy vs reality can be depicted through today's songs. This soundtrack illustrates the tone and mood of each scene for the audience to place themselves in the character's point of view. Beyond doubt music is a leading factor in this play helping to understand more of Willaims intricate characters. 

Sources

Eminem - Love the Way You Lie ft. Rihanna - youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2022, 

Gender discrimination causes inequality between girls and boys around the world. Save the Children. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/how-gender-discrimination-impacts-boys-and-girls

Gnarls Barkley - crazy - youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2022, from Youtube

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra ... (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2022, Imagine dragons – natural. Genius. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://genius.com/Imagine-dragons-natural-lyrics

James Arthur – train wreck. Genius. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://genius.com/James-arthur-train-wreck-lyrics

Reis, K., & Williams, T. (1986). A street car named desire.

Salt-n-pepa (ft. en vogue) – whatta man. Genius. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://genius.com/Salt-n-pepa-whatta-man-lyrics

Sam Smith – too good at goodbyes. Genius. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://genius.com/Sam-smith-too-good-at-goodbyes-lyrics

Tompall Glaser put another log on the fire lyrics and song ... (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2022, from Youtube