“I don’t want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that’s sinful, then let me be damned for it!”

I listened to a production of this on Audible for the Novel Pairings podcast. Once the audio started, I was so happy I chose to listen to it rather than read it — clearly it was intended to be consumed in ways other than simple words on a page! But after listening to the podcast yesterday, I realized that I might have missed some important elements in the stage directions.

This was all new to me — I’m planning to watch the movie on Friday night. It’s a prevalent piece of culture so I’ve heard about it and assumed the story was about Stanley and Stella. But this story focuses a lot on Stella’s sister, Blanche (who reminded me of Blanche from The Golden Girls). Blanche is staying with Stella for a while because of some difficulty back home – she’s lost her job and their family home and is down on her luck. She is shocked by Stella’s life in New Orleans – how tiny and unkempt her home is, Stella’s brute of a husband – and all of her delicate sensibilities seem to be insulted.

As the play continues, we learn more about Blanche’s actual life, which is not at all as it seems. I was relieved to listen to the podcast, because the hosts mentioned things I hadn’t considered – such as the effects of toxic masculinity in the lives of Blanche and Stella. I enjoyed listening to the play, but had a hard time putting my finger on why this has had such staying power and the value it has for society. So I’m really thankful that Novel Pairings dove into that discussion; it made this experience richer and more valuable.