In A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams uses astrology and character names to further define the two main characters, Blanche and Stanley. Blanche is a Virgo, whereas Stanley is a Capricorn. Both have very different characteristics, which cannot blend with one another. It is evident that Blanche and Stanley alienate each other further because of their astrological signs; Virgos are more sensitive while Capricorns are more realistic.

Throughout the play, Blanche expresses positive aspects that are described by her astrological sign (Virgo). A Virgo "is intellectual, critical, fussy, shrewd, logical, methodical, practical, and has teaching ability. They can lack confidence and need constant reassurance" (Signs In Detail: Virgo). This coincides with Blanche because she used to be an English teacher but was fired. Furthermore, when first entering the apartment she acts in a very critical manner; "Oh, I’m not going to be hypocritical, I’m going to be honestly critical about it… Only Mr. Edgar Allan Poe! – Could do it justice… Why didn’t you tell me… that you had to live in these conditions" (Williams 20). Blanche is also a

Blanche also conveys some negative aspects of the sign Virgo. She is a character who does not show her age, another Virgo rule. In her living area, the light is made dim and before leaving the house, she applies makeup to hide her age. The Chinese paper lantern may represent her concealment. Another characteristic is that she "desires wealth but is not able to acquire [it] easily" (Virgo). An example of this trait is seen when Blanche makes up a story about her rich friend who will support a shop for her and Stella. This can also prove that Blanche lives in a superficial world, "her predisposition to gloss over the harsh realities of life by pretending that they are simply not there" (Cardullo). She is a perfectionist and loses trust in others and herself if anything occurs, such as when "she refuses … to forgive herself for denying Allan the compassion that would have saved and perhaps changed him, or at any rate made his burden easier to bear" (Cardullo). Blanche suggests that she is jealous of Stan and Stella; "Stan and Stella have what Blanche wants. Their intimacy involves a degree of humility, spirited affection, and overt need, certainly, as well as the working out of a pattern of living generally suitable for them both" (Berkman). Blanche’s desire is to feel needed. These flaws may have caused her inability to relate to Stanley.

"Signs in Detail: Virgo." http://www.astrologynow.net/virgofr.htm

Some common words found in the essay are:
Allan Poe, Belle Reve, Blanche Stanley, Stanley Stanley, Stanley Stella’s, Stanley Capricorn, Virgo Virgo, Detail Virgo, Stella Blanche, Soup Stanley’s, dec 1999, blanche stanley, signs detail, lives superficial world, dec 1999 signs, detail virgo, blanche virgo, astrological sign, stanley’s name, astrological signs, stan stella, character names define, 22 dec 1999, sign virgo, 20 dec 1999,
Approximate Word count = 1076
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)