What is the significance of the title, "A Streetcar Named Desire"?

Question

We have been reading "A Streetcar Named Desire" in my English class over the past few days, and I'm wondering, what is the significance of its title? I know Blance came into town on a streetcar named desire, but is the streetcar supposed to represent Blance herself? Please help me out!

Answer 1

Streetcar Named Desire Title

Answer 2

Check out this site, which can give you some historical information on the streetcar line: http://www.streetcar.org/mim/streetcars/fleet/historic/952/index.html

In NOLA the streetcars have a sign like the one in the photo (link above) to indicate the major street along which the route runs.
"Desire" is a street in NO, as well as a theme in Wms' play.

In addition to the character's own desires, pay close attention to the way that the characters want / need to be seen -and desired- by others.

The Desire streetcar's track ran in the middle of the road instead of within a kind of buffer zone called the "neutral ground." Does that connect with anything in the play?
At the time of the writing, the Desire line was active; it's not today. Having the streetcar running right with the other traffic was a big deal for the horses, carts, and autos of the time. Remember, traffic was not only slower, but a mixture of very different kinds of transportation.
Yes, I do see that you could use this particular streetcar as a metaphorical representation of Blanche--as she sees herself.

Good question. Enjoy the thinking.

~Kimber
Dallas, TX

Answer 3

Yes, she came to town on the streetcar that was named "desire." The significance is explanined in Scene 9. She had been so surrounded by death that she only looked for the opposite, which was desire. Desire for her symbolized life and being young. She fooled around with men in order to experience life. But the sad part is that she feels so bad morally, she became old inside and a big part of her died. After she loses everythihng important in Laurel, she comes to New Orleans on the streetcar named desire and then she gets on the streetcar named "cemetary" which symbolizes death.

Answer 4

The title comes from a streetcar that ran along Desire Street, there are two important New Orleans neighborhoods mentioned -- Desire and Cemeteries.
Williams uses these names to reinforce one of the main themes of the play - we live our lives as if on a streetcar of desire unable to control our passions until the end of the line -- death. Blanche's desires have led to her "death".

Answer 5

Desire is a very important theme in the play. Blanche has been kicked out of her town and fired from her job when she was caught having an affair with a young student. She is a very sexually based woman. She must have men in her life and when she can't she creates them - such as her invisible beau Shep who is supposidly on his way to collect her. The climax of the play is when Stanley cannot control his desires and rapes her while his wife Stella is in the hospital following the birth of their child. Stella learns the truth, but stays with Stanley because she loves and desires him. What is significant is that the streetcar's last stop is called Elysium Fields - a part of Hell in Greek mythology. C.

Answer 6

You would have to ask Tennessee Williams to be sure, if he would have given you an honest answer. There is a street car named Desire in New Orleans, so maybe its only meaning is the car. If you want some meaning in the title look at the play and consider the characters and their desires! That is the motivating factor in the action.

Answer 7

Persipho's answer compressive and most definitive. Allow me to add Stanley raped Blanche, again tying desire with Street Car theme, more like a sub-text.

Answer 8

1