In 1971, Elia Kazan told Movie magazine regarding the process of adapting Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire, that: “I took the script of the play, and I just made the play. And that’s all I did.” Discuss whether the adaptation was as simple as Kazan makes it seem through a careful analysis of both the play and film of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Adapting a text to film is a difficult task for any screenwriter. There are many challenges that must be overcome, including limitations such as censorship and fidelity discourse. Despite this, some scholars see Elia Kazan’s 1951 adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams to ultimately reflect the author’s intention. Kazan notes that he "took the script of the play, …show more content…
The rape of Blanche, for example, posed a challenge for Kazan; this was due to The Motion Picture Industry Code, The Legion of Decency, and the producers. The explicit mention of Blanche’s husband’s homosexuality in the play was changed to an implied meaning; as homosexuality, prostitution and no unpunished crimes were prohibited by the censorship laws of the time. Relating to this, Stanley feels a loss of power in his own home due to the arrival of Blanche and her interference with his marriage. Thus, resulting in Stanley engaging in violence to obtain his power back. In the words of Jasmine Crittenden, “…A Streetcar Named Desire is best understood through the playing out of power and powerlessness” (120). Stanley therefore uses Blanche’s deceitful and smoke and mirrors attitude against her; inadvertently rendering her powerless. Blanche is lying to sustain her fantasy world throughout the play. However, Stanley can see through her “lies and conceit and tricks” and “imagination” that she conjures; boasting that she was unable to “pull any wool over this boy’s eyes” (Williams, 398). The rape scene in the film, therefore, uses imagery to symbolize the rape, such as a broken mirror (committing of a violent act towards Blanche) and a sprinkler (a euphemism for ejaculation). Hence asserting Stanley’s power position and brings about the demise …show more content…
Remaining faithful to Williams’ play was utterly impossible due to the many limitations and the forbidding codes of conduct and laws that were in place. It is still debated amongst critics on what category this play is to be placed; this is difficult due to many themes such as tragedy, romance etc. A Streetcar Named Desire also deals with power struggle; mainly between Stanley and Blanche. Kazan implemented his interpretation of certain scenes, hence, did not simply “take the script” and remain faithful. For these reasons, Kazan’s adaptation was not as simple as he made it out to
Adapting a text to film is a difficult task for any screenwriter. There are many challenges that must be overcome, including limitations such as censorship and fidelity discourse. Despite this, some scholars see Elia Kazan’s 1951 adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams to ultimately reflect the author’s intention. Kazan notes that he "took the script of the play, …show more content…
The rape of Blanche, for example, posed a challenge for Kazan; this was due to The Motion Picture Industry Code, The Legion of Decency, and the producers. The explicit mention of Blanche’s husband’s homosexuality in the play was changed to an implied meaning; as homosexuality, prostitution and no unpunished crimes were prohibited by the censorship laws of the time. Relating to this, Stanley feels a loss of power in his own home due to the arrival of Blanche and her interference with his marriage. Thus, resulting in Stanley engaging in violence to obtain his power back. In the words of Jasmine Crittenden, “…A Streetcar Named Desire is best understood through the playing out of power and powerlessness” (120). Stanley therefore uses Blanche’s deceitful and smoke and mirrors attitude against her; inadvertently rendering her powerless. Blanche is lying to sustain her fantasy world throughout the play. However, Stanley can see through her “lies and conceit and tricks” and “imagination” that she conjures; boasting that she was unable to “pull any wool over this boy’s eyes” (Williams, 398). The rape scene in the film, therefore, uses imagery to symbolize the rape, such as a broken mirror (committing of a violent act towards Blanche) and a sprinkler (a euphemism for ejaculation). Hence asserting Stanley’s power position and brings about the demise …show more content…
Remaining faithful to Williams’ play was utterly impossible due to the many limitations and the forbidding codes of conduct and laws that were in place. It is still debated amongst critics on what category this play is to be placed; this is difficult due to many themes such as tragedy, romance etc. A Streetcar Named Desire also deals with power struggle; mainly between Stanley and Blanche. Kazan implemented his interpretation of certain scenes, hence, did not simply “take the script” and remain faithful. For these reasons, Kazan’s adaptation was not as simple as he made it out to