A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams

A Streetcar Named Desire: Situational Irony 1 key example

Key Examples in A Streetcar Named Desire

Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Elysian Fields:

The journey Blanche takes to get to Stanley and Stella's apartment when she first arrives in New Orleans is full of allusions to Greek mythology. These allusions create situational irony for the audience, as they imply Blanche is headed for heaven when she certainly isn't. She tells Eunice and the woman sitting outside the Elysian Fields house that:

BLANCHE: They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields!