Jack Gola
Mr.Mulvey
English 214
December 18, 2015
A Streetcar Named Foreshadow
	In Tennessee William’s A Streetcar Named Desire the names of the streetcars Blanche takes and the name of the area have immense importance.  Blanche says,”They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at--Elysian Fields” (Williams, online) The names of these locations are very important and almost too obvious but they do a great job at hinting at what it to come in later scenes.
	The first streetcar that Blanche has to take is named “Desire”.  Since this is the first streetcar she has to take it implies that the word “Desire” has something to do with the past and it indeed does.  The only reason Blanche is in New Orleans in the first place is because she followed her desires.  Those desires are what ultimately resulted in her losing her job and reputation in Laurel, her previous town.  The desire doesn’t stop in Laurel it sticks with her and it will continue to plague her life throughout the play.  This may be why the name of the play features this specific streetcar, because it’s an ongoing element in Blanche’s life.
	After taking the streetcar named “Desire” the next one Blanche has to take it named “Cemeteries”.  The name “Cemeteries”  is accurate and it indicates that Blanche lost something and someone forever and she will never be able to get it back.  The name may also be foreshadowing what is to come to Blanche in later scenes.  By losing everything in Laurel it gave Blanche the desire to start fresh in New Orleans, but more importantly, in a place called Elysian Fields.
	The name “Elysian Fields” is very fitting name considering what Blanche will experience there.  Elysian Fields comes from Greek mythology, it was a place they believed one would go to contemplate what they have done in their life and face their mistakes once and for all.  After arriving at Elysian Fields this is exactly what happens to Blanche, she has to face her mistakes and deal with the consequences no matter what.  Since this is very similar to what the Greeks believed, Blanche’s mistakes would be having intercourse with all those people from Laurel.  Also another mistake she makes is allowing her desires to take control away from her too often.  When it comes time for Blanche to face her consequences when she is raped by Stanley.  This destroys whatever was left of her leaves her at a final resting place or in other words, Elysian Fields.
	The names of the two streetcars that Blanche takes to get to Elysian Fields play a very important role in foreshadowing this play.  Desire, Cemeteries, and Elysian Fields symbolize what happened and what will happen to Blanche at the very beginning of the play.  The Desire streetcar implies that desire got Blanche to where she is now.  Also since it’s featured in the title as well implies that it's an ongoing trait that drives certain actions.  The next streetcar, Cemeteries refers to Blanche’s life in Laurel, or whatever’s left of it.  It signifies that it’s gone and there’s no getting it back.  And finally the name of the area in which she will be staying, Elysian Fields is a direct reference to Greek mythology.  It is here where Blanche is forced to face her consequences head on without and escaping.  This leads to her inevitable defeat and final resting place.