“But some things are not forgivable. Deliberate cruelty is not forgivable. It is the most unforgivable thing in my opinion, and it is the one thing of which I have never, never been guilty.” This powerful statement sets the tone for the complex and tragic story of Blanche in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

You are probably familiar with the story, as it is an iconic piece of literature that has been brought to life in the famous Marlon Brando movie. Blanche, coming from a wealthy and aristocratic background, was taught to always depend on the kindness of strangers. However, after losing everything dear to her - family, husband, and money - she must now face the harsh reality of the real world. Unable to cope, she retreats into her fantasies, seeing what ought to be true rather than the actual truth.

Her brother-in-law, Stanley, is the exact opposite of Blanche. He is common, a brute, and a gaudy seed-bearer. He understands the world through his primal instincts and is a realist, while Blanche is a dreamer. Their worlds are bound to collide, and the story unfolds with the chaotic consequences that follow.

Tennessee Williams was a bold writer who dared to bring to light themes that were considered taboo in the conservative American society of the time. He wrote about mental illness, homosexuality, and rape, topics that society chose to ignore. He gave us a story about the struggles of everyday people, those who were untouched by the American dream and were poor, isolated pariahs. The characters may be disturbing, but they are also true and relatable. The writing is amazing, with tense and emotional dialogues that make this play a classic of American literature.

“But some things are not forgivable. Deliberate cruelty is not forgivable. It is the most unforgivable thing in my opinion, and it is the one thing of which I have never, never been guilty.”


*4.5 stars


Here's some Marlon Brando for your pleasure.

Wow, finally I can pen down an unpopular opinion - a book that you loathe while everyone else adores it.

Genre: classic play

Setting: New Orleans in the late 1940s, after the Second World War, with the American Dream弥漫 in the air.

I won't describe the book as its perfect summary is on Goodreads. Instead, I'll directly jump to my thoughts.

I grasped the concept Williams aimed to convey; a conflict between the upper and lower society, with sexuality and other taboos (topics not discussed in those days) being mentioned. However, I disliked the way it was presented. The climax was overly predictable from the moment the three main characters met (especially Blanche and Stanley). There were far too many hints.

Not to mention that the name Edgar Allan Poe appears several times - an author who associates the aristocratic society with weakness and portrays it with insanity and sometimes pedophilia or incest. (An example could be The Fall of the House of Usher)

Returning to this play, it didn't展示 anything either mind-blowing or novel to me. I do understand that during those times, such things couldn't be talked about. But seriously! History repeats itself time and again. It's high time to open your eyes.

I never felt any connection or sympathy towards any of the characters. I'm not going to say "they deserve it" because perhaps they didn't. But I simply couldn't feel anything for them. Each of them had something about their personality or the way they behaved that I didn't like. Blanche is too naïve, Stella is just plain dumb, and Stanley is an asshole. End of the story. Peace!

You can also check out this review – among other posts - on my page Bookish Voyagers