American Literature And Its Borders Interwoven Themes of Homeland, Migrations and Deportation In Tennessee Williams’ Masterpiece Screenplay ‘A StreetCar Named Desire’

Brief Biography of the contributing author and symposium paper presenter: An undergraduate student of the English and Humanities Department affiliated with Brac University. The correspondent wishes to study English Literature with profundity as his majoring engrossment. ‘Synchronized Chaos’-American interdisciplinary journal, ‘Reader’s Digest Asia’, ‘Youth Magazine’ Libyan printed and electronic editions and varieties of Indian Literary Anthologies have treasured and glorified his narratives.         


Abstract Writing: Multifaceted charismatic character Blanche Dubois’ spectral specks hollers, lingers and muses amidst the epochs of twentieth century pandemic macabres. How ‘ruptures’ and ‘resilience’ will feed the lecture theater banquet hall with quintessential dialogues inversion as in the speech of Stanley and Blanche Dubois’ beauty of the mind, richness of the spirit and tenderness of the heart’s sustenance ;which have culminated through ‘relentlessness of times’, ‘sorrow’, ‘fear’, ‘recriminations’ and ‘regrets’. And how the gusto and oomps prevail in transforming stage actors as belligerent shoppers despite emerging pandemic.       


Phenomenal and mercurial Blanche Dubois’ catharsis hollering with the photograph on the mantelpiece as a reminiscence of her awesome memorabilia sunken treasures. In the abyss of wretchedness the patronage and legacy of endowments languishes the fulfillment of American Dreams. Her phantom haunts like a hobgoblin in theaters, brothels, asylums and rehabilitation centers amidst the epoch of twenty first century’s pandemic macabres. The purpose of this paper perhaps might be engrossed ‘raptures and resilience’ in the canons of psychoanalysis and feminist critical literary theories. However, I wish to spotlight the facets of ruptures and resilience in the ‘diasporic migrational drift’ of this stellar feminine character.

We might wonder and marvel at the laurel lifelike character through digging her cherished suitcases, closets, attics, chests and whatsoever. In reality, she is not cynical or skeptic but hilarious and explosive; i.e. circumstances and implications foreshadowings of uncertainty, ambiguities and nihilism echoing resonance of ‘Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot’s personified caricature Lucky. Unemployment crisis together with identity crisis have ironically fretted Tennessee William’s scapegoat to the menaces and diabolical: vicious cycles of life and death.

Crumbling walks upon a lakeshore, dwindling with inglorious and inauspicious memories of the past; Tennessee Williams’ Blanche Dubois’ portrayal limelights her daylight shudders to night of endless darkness. And we are reminded by the tragic events of wartimes genocides, Holocaust survivors’ horror and terror, mass graveyard burials... Are they suffice and benefice to the interiority of split personality and schizophrenic Blanche Dubois and she is sensed as a resemblance of the dear sister. Siblinghood of fraternity can cast a glimmer of unraveling the sheerness of her identity. 

Through ruptures and resilience we will be stepping the stony gravel amidst an avalanche of unprecedented disruption and outbreak of pandemic. The lecture theater hallway by this gravity of the situations’ momentum will be drinking with thine eyes of eerie creature Blanche Dubois’ wit of impishness and caprice. In the prevalence of epidemics’ insurgency had the playwright twisted motifs and plots of what would be likely interpretations in fancy of will-o-the-wisp will foster food for thought in the banquet hall.

 Pathetic fallacy benignly fascinates the aura of imagery in the readers’ imaginative minds with the line, ‘ajar on a sky of summer brilliance’. Blanche utters a moaning cry and throws herself down away from the bathroom beside Stella in a  sense of hysterical tenderness and chastises her for being fondling and affectionate to Stanley-brother-in-law and Stella’s brutish husband. Gaudy pajamas of Stanley hanging from the threshold of the bathroom and the act of Stella’s picking broom to sweeping, swirling and twirling as if idiosyncratically justifying the frenzied attitude and sheerness of absolute lunacy of Stanley. To Stella’s being Stanley’s defense solicitor, she argues to justify that the defamed Stanley being preyed upon by victimization on the pretext of the condition that ‘men drinking and playing poker can do anything[inverted dialect would be: ‘Since there's a blazing unemployment crisis from layoffs amidst lockdown, we, men are justified in wine toasting and billiard pastimes’}. Further like Stanley, Stella’s preoccupation and fancy with movies and bridges acquit the blamed Stanley free of stringent estrangement.

“This shuffling about and mumbling-one smashed tube, beer-bottles, mess in the kitchen’’-as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened’’ This Blache’s quotable quote dramatizes the climax of the scene four with stupendous and stupefying humor, irony and sarcasm when paralleled with Stella’s counterfeit. “He [Stanley] snatched off one of my slippers and rushed about the place smashing the light-bulbs with it. ’’

Figurative tropes and figurative techniques have been embellishing the incredibly insightful read of this very scene with emerald treasures of metaphor, simile, personification and hyperbole. ‘He [Stanley] was as good as a lamb’ highlights the simile of Tennessee Williams in depiction of the naivety and innocence of Stanley Kowalski’s personae. Christmas Eve holiday seasons, Blanche Dubois’s gala with Shep Huntleigh- getting on his Cadillac Boulevard long drive touring through the dusky Biscayne Boulevard. Intimating college acquaintance character’s hyperbolic and metaphorical descriptions of personage, trip of investment since meeting ‘‘someone with a million dollar investment’’ and ‘the City of Texas’ literally ‘spouting gold in his pockets’’.      

Belle Reeve is a persisting hackneyed influence of Southern state of St Louis Mississippi Antebellum aristocracy with plantation of cotton and tobacco employing marginalized African American minority diaspora [ethnic community subjugated by oppressive and suppressive culture of exploitation through slavery]. However, post antebellum New Orleans and the Elysian Fields Kowalski villa the emerging absurdist playwright’s modernity plastic theater evidently becomes a thriving society to breed characters like Blanche Dubois. Blanche, the ‘destitute mammoth’ of Belle’s provision of pocket money, family allowance and public relief in the worst nightmarish Stanley household incites modern day contemporary readers with the paradigms of Blanche figure with morale as depicted by the illustrious repertoire of Stella upon extending five dollars share [from the ten dollars gifted by Stanley to smooth things over]. Blanche’s anachronistic bigotry is a striking prejudice; which, nevertheless, demarcates the reality of Stanley's appearance of character. Not a ‘‘particle’’ of ‘’gentleman in his nature’’ exhibit bestial and animalistic force of Stanley upon Blanche Dubois embarking brutal desire- “Desire!’’—that name of the rattle trap street car that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another….’’     

Eventually climax and resolution of the drama have been showcased through the red letter day of Blanche Dubois’ trapped maidenhood at stake because of Stanley’s bestial interference in her privacy; and the subsequent admittance of the former’s to the mental health infirmary by the vigilance of Doctor and Nurse.

Bathos; the ironic use of banality through hyperbolic exaggeration that results in the failure for satiric or humourous effects. ‘Egyptian Queen’ might and perhaps transcends allusions to ‘Desdemona’; yet Stanley- the king wearing silk pyjamas shirtless fulfills the illegitimate and adulterous affair of sexual gratification through rape of Blanche Dubois. Shep Huntleigh’s fantasy, sensory illusion and hallucinatory delusion, awkward fancy attire such as the rhinestone crown of Blanche  -the ‘lurid’ reflections of ‘grotesque’ and ‘menacing’ ambience.

Tragic heroine, Blanche dupes a vindictive claim in assertion of her chastity and virginity- “A cultivated woman, a woman of intelligence and breeding, can enrich a man’s life-immeasurably!’’ To herself, she boasts of her beauty of the mind, richness of the spirit and tenderness of the heart which increases to grow as ages reach maturity.

This scene further highlights the identity crises and classes of diasporic cultures prevalent in post world war modern times. The tragic figure Blanche throws further light upon her lunacy as intimidating encounters with the Doctor and Nurse. “Oh, my God! What have I done to my sister’’-the loyal and devoted sisterly Stella Dubois’s sympathy and empathy coincides despite the triumphs of two brute forces between the clashes of different cultures. In the world of Stanley, a moth chameleon doesn’t exist. On the contrary, the world of Blanche has reservations for fantasy and magic and the abolition of reality.  

The breaking down of ‘silver mirror’ and the symbolic attire of ‘white satin robe’ manifests cataclysmic catastrophe that ruins the prospects of Blanche Dubois’ survival turning her as a destitute of the asylum. ‘Relentlessness of time’, ‘sorrow’, ’fear’, ’recriminations’, ‘regrets’ and so on by the reflections of “wrinkles’’ and ‘’bags of the eyes’’ casted upon her silvery mirror.  Eminent Indian literary critics of noteworthy publication interpreted her depressive melancholy with ‘mental malady’. Imaginative fictional myths of mothlike figures aren’t tolerated in the Kowalskis' apartment. Therefore, bestial Stan disdains her upon fabrications of Sheep Huntleigh’s fantasy cruise to the  Caribbean and Mitchell’s flower bouquet of apology. 

Minor characters are symbolic representations of Tennessee Williams’ A StreetCar Named Desire. Tennessee Williams will be endowed homage in his repertoire of symbolist movement. After the Mexican lady and here comes the symbolic Negro woman stealing the vanity bag of the drunk raped prostitute. In this anticipation, the desecrating robbing of Blanche’s privacy and honor by Stanley is embellished. Furthermore, the Western Union symbolically features the breakdown of civilization and cultural catechism. And the swelling music of the blue piano resonates comical relief meant to underscore the undergoing violence that is being penetrated on Blanche. Finally the drama witnesses anticlimax through the blue eyes of Allan Grey-the former deceased admirer remembrances by Blanche. Further Blanche’s epilogue ‘’Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers’’ leaves no stones unturned in foolishness of wits and impudence of lunacy.   

‘Ruptures and Resiliency’ are entombed and enshrined by vessels of literature heralding the eminence and prominence of Tenessee Willaims’ brevity of theatrical production and lucidity in  film adaptations. Dear audience, I proclaim in ecstasy of glee, “Ah, Tennessee Williams shall be unhackneyed dimestore even in context of quintessential evolutionary viral outbreaks.” The reportage of Guardian mesmerizes subscribers when they are tantalized by the iconic commentary of Gillian Anderson; whose claim “I was hanging on to a reality by a thread” whilst her shopping errands would be effervescent ether hadn’t she possessed the belligerence of mental strength.     

The Feel of Christmas

Every day is a celebration day
But on this day, it’s a Special Day;
the feel is just not ordinary

Every day is a merry-making day
But on this day, it’s in itself a Merry Day;
the feel is just not a ‘’normally’’

Every day is a reflection day
But on this day, it’s a Stand-out, Sober-Reflection day;
the feel is just not temporarily 

Every day is a gift-exchange day
But on this day, it’s a memorable Boxing Day;
the feel is just not materially

Every day is a should-be ‘’Christmas’’ day
But on this day, it’s actually a Christmas Day!
the feel is just not a mere Christmas frenzy!

Arti-Blog: Local To Global

            Graciously, I developed the attitude and habit for listening to various radio #media organizations such as BBC, CVC, VOA, RCI, RFI just to mention a few. However, all occurred due to the enthusiasm for the short-wave of international transmissions. To be precise, whilst growing up as young curious teenager with eagerness to be a mimic of any elocution broadcaster I hear the accent-cadence on the airwaves. Incredibly, it’s rather an opportune moment when one preacher-man realized the potentials and capabilities in me after completion of second cycle school education. Therefore, he asked me to join his program on a particular radio station in the city of Takoradi where in actual fact my up-bringing began as young boy on the suburban street of Amanful West. It was additional value to unearth the other talent in me when I sung alongside a co-equal lady to record signature-tune for that memorable Christian program dubbed Power Word of Jesus on Radio Maxx 105.1 FM. These were all moments of discovery to establish myself from local to global level in terms of radio broadcasting which has definitely continued as passion and routine of daily lifestyle. It’s another enthusiastic and joyous moment as my presence in the broadcasting studio brought about regular decision as live introducer of the program on-air courtesy Radio Maxx 105.1 FM in the first locale in Takoradi, Western Region of Ghana. I quite remember, having the pleasure to say “It’s time for the Power Word of Jesus broadcast with Reverend Nyameyeke Wireku”. That’s really the first time of being behind a radio microphone which I never panicked but by His divine motivation I was able to deliver by speaking to the listening audience. That’s over fifteen (15) years ago!

            Unfortunately, the program had a stoppage due to lack of sponsorship to continue airing. Well, it was yet another fantastic breakthrough moment as I became a time-keeper and chosen among others as producer of a Quiz program on different radio station i.e. (Kyzz 89.7 FM) located within the same metropolis of the Western Region, Ghana. Unto Him is all the glory as I ably coped with most acts of the program. Having, established and exhibited many technicalities in the broadcast studio of Kyzz 89.7 FM. Well later on, I was given another worthwhile opportunity as a panelist on rather quite debatable program dubbed Born To Win with its feminine host being cordial and professional. This went on for about five weeks, thus on Sundays when the Scripture-based quiz program entitled Radio Bible Quiz #RBQ comes to an end. Amongst other things, within the same locality or neighborhood where I domicile another radio station was established so often-times I went to the studio to assist during phone-in segment of  a lunch-time program. Although, that station collapsed at the time, I never gave-up to become professional journal fellow. Thus, be it on-air or on-line! Much admiration have been absorbed within because I’ve had times of being a producer on diverse programs ranging from social to spiritual on numerous local radio stations. Aside, it’s been worthwhile experience and exposure to various media networks.

Remarkably, it’s through writing by post and typing on the internet that impressively opened the doors of opportunity for me to become abreast with most of the widely listened to global media power-houses. Obviously, some still appreciate the daily, weekly and even monthly contributions I make to their programs. In reminiscence, the launch of an affiliate international radio station in the Western Region of Ghana also rekindled my participation on interactive and debatable topic to mark International Women’s Day on 8^th March, 2011. So, just imagine the feeling when your submission is short-listed or selected on top of various contributions for airing on a highly recognized radio stations around the globe. It’s yet another achievement of a sort to be admirable about! An impact-making moment of having the tendency to read my own composed poems for recording together with written articles was also a move on higher pedestal. Aside, to express views on some topical issues centered on African perspective. No doubt, that also paved the way in terms of familiarization and recognition among discerning listeners of radio with international appeal.

            Currently, in relation to the new television concept as virtual #online TV show dubbed Time With Ike Boat #TWIB which commenced on the aftermath of brief audition at the Morrash Media House #MMH at Kasoa, Central Region of Ghana. It’s another quick move to ensure that the television dream becomes a reality, hence there’s pre-production led by the Manager and Producer, Sir Perry Adams. He’s such a gifted and talented media figure with insightful knowledge about music respectively. On the first ever live streaming on Facebook, graciously I hosted Madam Anna Cole an Entrepreneurial woman and Fashion Designer as well an expatriate of the United Kingdom. Moving on, the second episode had me alone in studio unfolding the ordeal I faced being hospitalized for weeks due to ailment, thus leading to various medical checks. It’s also time to express my heart of gratitude to all virtual and actual friends who helped the medical cost involved. However, the third Episode resonated with the personalized mantra Local To Global when I had the distinguished Director of MV Logos Hope in the personality of Mr. Randy Grebe (Missionary with Operation Mobilization-OM). This pre-recording and production was done at Tema Port onboard the vessels at VIP lounge. The web-link to watch, comment, Like, subscribe on YouTube via:  https://youtu.be/oExbhBFrlY8

            Last but not least, I can say with certainty and no shadow of doubt that many systematic approach to life and diversity people always makes it appropriate to share when the least opportunity is given. Factually, the first three paragraphs of this Arti-Blog had original concept written on paper 7^th March, 2012 and completed as well re-written on 10^th March, 2012 at 2:10pm. Indeed, it’s initially recorded as real-life radio documentary in a hood studio operated by Mr. Emmanuel Famiyeh at Amanful West in Takoradi, Western Region of Ghana, West Africa. Yes, it’s radio documentary centered on how my contribution and participation to local broadcasting led to the connection with some global journal minds, thus from country to country and continent to continent. Well, by virtue of on-air and on-line mediums of communication.

Yours In Local To Global Media.

Ike Boat

#SCIM #TWIB

Email: ikeboatofficial@gmail.com

Phone: +233 552477676 #WhatsAppBiz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ikeboatofficial1

TikTok: @ikeboatofficial

Instagram: www.instragram.com/ikeboatofficial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ikeboat

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/ikeboatofficial

All Green Thumbs 

 

You can trick a houseplant

into believing it is outside

by gently brushing your hand

softly against the leaves

bending the stems as if

they are out in the breeze

 

Strangers clustered

in a strong wind

at a stop

waiting

for the bus to come


____________________________



Battery Heaven

 

Hard to tell batteries apart

lying loose in a box in the back room

 

The bad eventually crust over

but there’s no way to determine the good

without popping one then another

into the remote

 

Try a different pole

Try rolling one then the other

around with your thumb

whatever it takes

desperate for signal

 

Get the angle right

Get close enough & there

is enough juice to get through

tonight

 

No negotiating with a spent cell

but power predictions are possible

& frequently wrong

 

The pizza place in town that takes

dead batteries has a slot

in a 5 gallon bucket lid for them

Who knows where they go from there

 

Battery heaven is filled

with cheapies that come with toys

very obviously of lower quality

than the ones bought at the store

 

Do it wrong & kill a car

The smoke detector cheeps

until the corpse is removed

 

Even the rechargeable don’t

last forever


____________________________


My advice

 

 

is to get out

of this town before you turn 20

Otherwise the broken store fronts

start to worry you

You might transmogrify

into a lamp post

become a fixture around here

 

Not like Gary who inherited

the hardware from his dad

George Bailey-ing his way

through his 50s as girls

softball coach & people love him

 

More like Sandy who will never

leave – there’s too much

out there she wants & feels

she doesn’t really deserve

but there is always just

a little less than what

she needs right here

It’s fine – it’ll be fine

 

The train doesn’t publish

it’s schedule so the terrorists

can’t formulate a plan

but it always seems to roll

through right when you think

maybe I shoulda left that one time

& then it’s gone & the crickets

return in the night certain

everything will be just fine

& it is, isn’t it?


____________________________



Our first date
 

 

1986

 

 

Took Mindy to see Platoon

We both liked war movies

Empty theatre perfect

for making out except

one angry vet

sobbing down front

in the horrible fog

They killed the good guy

is the only lesson learned

Too stunned even

to hold hands

we liked it

yeah – great film

Barber’s Adagio for Strings

swelling & enveloping

me later when

Mindy takes me

into her mouth

on a gravel road

next to some field

my hands clutching

air just like

Willem Dafoe


____________________________




Waiting for the future

 

 

to arrive as advertised

I hear a juvenile hawk

in the dense canopy

of the abandoned house

across the street

1000 years wheel

across the starry starry

until something different

happens & is it?

Every hill is always

the one we choose to die on

My car narc’d on me

now I’m too scared to drive

killing machines with fascists

Clock sounds digitized

making “simmer down” motions

with their useless hands

Everything is late late late

can’t happen soon enough

Even waiting is a waste

of time and energy

in the midst

of a long-haul dream

Let us then toast

to the ever-under-construction

freeway & pour one out

for all the dumb bugs

wending wayward into death

against the grills & shields

of inevitability

Waiting for the 20 years

implicit in the next advance

turn signal on too early

been on the last 100 years

I awake resembling something

extinct & pissed off about it

Not false Not spiritual Not grief

Anticipation & the wearing

down of might cliffs

to something manageable

A fun time on a wild ride

left with penetrating desire

to go go go

again

Tony Brewer is a poet and foley artist from Bloomington, Indiana. he has been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize and his latest book is Pity for Sale (Gasconade Press). He is executive director of the Spoken Word Stage at the 4th Street Arts Festival and co-producer of the Writers Guild Spoken Word Series. More at tonybrewer71.blogspot.com.

SANCTUARY FOR A SOUL  

 

The world evaporates as a calm comes from within me. 

God’s embrace comes in the stillness of my thoughts. 

Kneeling at the altar of my heart seeking deliverance.  

 

My partition reflects my resolution for reconciliation.  

Tears of clarity flow for the presence of Jesus.  

Jesus’s presence is a reminder of eternal life.  

 

My transformation delivers redemption to my soul.  

God’s sanctuary welcomes me to partake at the table.  

It is this compassion of Jesus in which fills my cup everlasting 

 


Now my life is of clarity given by Jesus's life for me.  

A moment of liberation brings essence to my existence.  

Life eternal has been given from the birth of the first star.  

The Firing World

The world is firing
Firing for what?
The world is raging 
The wildlife is burning
Burning for what?
Some try to escape the fire
Some can't but accept the world
It seems to ask the question 
How are you, dear world?
The silence breaks out suddenly thundering in the sky
Blazing hundreds and thousands of lives
The cloudy sky without rain thunders and fires on the ocean and the earth
Firing for what? 

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
28/07//2022



A Room for Love

Will you lend me your sky?
O my dear, will you?
I'll be there always twinkling in the night
Will you hold my hand?
I'm giving you my words 
We must fly on 
Make a room for love
My sleepless nights and restless days
The lively drakes and deer
O my dear, can't you see and hear
What I feel and what I face 
Would you like to join the race?
Only for the 'yes' comment
I can drive for rest of the world
The sun rises -----
I know you are watching the beautiful sunny nature
I'm standing by you looking behind.

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
28/07//2022
  
Load Shedding

The season is for - ongoing load shedding
Who knows when and how it happens
Appears without notice - shedding on life to lead
Time is on and good
Time is off and bad
Yet time is not to blame
What we say can't keep it in words and deeds
Say much more than it needs
The loaded head can't move forward anymore
Burdened as the seedlings dry out in the hot rainless rainy season
We like to see the glory that is not yet uttered
The untold love like the unseen strength of the ocean
Around the green beautiful hills protecting all
O my dear load shedding!
In this hot, gloomy, suffocating room
Can you hear me?
O my dear love ------
I like to live well in the enlightened green beautiful world
Can you give me the address of my loving care?

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
29/07//2022