Chronicle and Streetcar Comparison

Ideologies

Socialism

• Streetcar explores class conflict between Blanche (A construct representing decaying Southern aristocracy) and Stanley (working-class immigrant), although Blanche is constructed to be sympathized as a byproduct of the revolution, Stanley (a proletariat) ended up with the victory over aristocracy.

  • "Napoleonic code... what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband" ~Stanley

    • Highlighting working-class focus on material ownership

  • "but I'm not young and vulnerable anymore" ~Blanche

    • Blanche facing the reality of the fall of aristocracy
• Chronicle critique rigid social hierarchies in Latin America, upholding social status through perpetuating violence, showing the adherence to outdated codes and a divergence between actual orthodoxy and artificial honor system.

  • "We killed him openly... but we're innocent" ~Vicario brothers

    • A display of machismo honor code.

  • The mayor confiscates their knife but dismisses the threat: "I thought they were just blowing off steam"

    • The major recognize the honor code, therefore being party of the responsibility

Feminism

• Streetcar discuss the negatives of patriarchy through Blanche's downfall stemming from patriarchal oppression and sexual violence.

  • Stanley's rape of blanche in scene 10

    • Epitomizes sexual violence as a tool of control

  • "I don't want realism. I want magic!" ~Blanche

    • Escapism display because of patriarchal expectations
• Chronicle explore patriarchal through the contradiction between Angela Vicario's commodification of virginity while allowing Maria Alejandrina Cervantes hyper-sexuality to coexist

  • "The only thing I prayed for was the courage to kill myself" ~Angela

    • The patriarchy believe in the importance of virginity and hymen

  • "the most elegant... and the most serviceable in bed" referring to Maria Alejandrina

    • Hypocritical sexual norms between virginity and hyper-sexuality

Psychoanalytic theory

• Streetcar explores the response of unresolved trauma through Blanche's retreat from reality through fantasies.

  • "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" ~Blanche

    • As prostitute in Flamingo hotel, Blanche covers her traumatic experience with delusional language

  • "Here I am, all freshly bathed and scented" ~Blanche

    • Blanche bathing to escape her guilt and trauma
• Chronicle critique the rationalization of Santiago's murder, exploring the collective responsibility of the town.

  • "There had never been a death more foretold" ~Narrator

    • The townsman are collectively responsible for the murder

Existentialism

• Streetcar explores the lack of agency in a deterministic society, with her fate determined, as well as explore human despair through Blanche's navigation of her fate.

  • "A street in New Orleans which is named Elysian Fields" ~Stage direction

    • A heavenly place where heroes are sent in Greek mythology
• Chronicle explores the lack of fatalism by character constructs that accept his murder as predetermined.
  • Both the title and the first chapter mentions the death of Santiago Nassar

Postcolonialism

• Streetcar explore postcolonial tensions between traditional values (Belle Reeves) and modern America (Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans)
• Chronicle explores the legacy honor codes and machismo from colonial legacies

Reader-Response Theory

• Streetcar uses theatrical elements like plastic theater to prompt audience response rather than new criticism (self-contained objects).
• Chronicle prompt reader response through new journalism, piece together story that implicates moral ambiguity