The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams proposes a confusing moral puzzle to its audience. The audience harbors extremely polar views for Blanche’s role, which array from praising her even though she is a fallen southern belle to damning her a mentally unstable prostitute. Most interpret Blanche’s downward spiral as a demonstration of sympathy from Williams due to her circumstances and disapproval of the society. Williams’ play demonstrates how all these circumstances destroy Blanche’s self-esteem. One traumatic event in Blanche’s life is the reason her character appears pitiful and insecure to the readers and other characters.
The events that led to a major change in Blanche’s mental outlook on life permanently damaged her …show more content…
Her sister was loving and understanding enough to allow her to come stay with her and her husband, the morally bankrupt Stanley. It is apparent that Stella is uncomfortable around her sister because it had been a long time since they have been in each other’s presence and is avoiding saying the wrong thing to her. Blanche, however, has no problem speaking her mind. She clearly expresses that she does not think her sister should be living in such conditions, for she lives a very “high-class” lifestyle. However, it is all a lie. Obviously, Blanche and her sister are not very close at all because Stella is the one person who was willing to reach out and help her sister in her hard times, but Blanche so easily lies to her sister and her fake personality never wavers throughout the play. When talking about Mitch, Blanche’s new boyfriend who she claims she wants to marry to fix all of her problems, she says, “They think a girl over thirty out to – the vulgar term – “put out.”… And I – I’m not “putting out.” Of course he – he doesn’t know – I mean I haven’t informed him – of my real age” (1812). Perhaps she is a compulsive liar, or perhaps it is due to her consistent alcohol use. It seems that everyone Blanche is acquainted with in the play has no idea what type of person she actually is because she is always lying to them. The only person who seems to intimidate …show more content…
She was effected greatly by when she lost her husband it is apparent. She repeatedly mentions not being able to find a “light” that was once there in the story. His death was the driving force that causes her to search for that “light” in one of her own students and many other men. This ultimately causes her to lose her job and feel insecure in her own town, prompting her to move in with her sister. After being in scenes with other characters, the audience can easily pick up that Blanche is looking for opportunities to get complimented. Some may call this “fishing for a compliment.” She avoids being in places of bright light, so the men around do not see the age on her face and she can continue lying. Around these men, she downs alcoholic drinks to maintain a loose and fun exterior image. Being so obsessed with find a new light has changed Blanche into a new person because she is trying to impress everyone possible so she can escape the “old” life she was living and make a new reputation for herself. In the end, everyone is unsure what is really wrong with Blanche because she has told so many different lies, but they know she really just needs mental help of some sort so they send her to an insane
The events that led to a major change in Blanche’s mental outlook on life permanently damaged her …show more content…
Her sister was loving and understanding enough to allow her to come stay with her and her husband, the morally bankrupt Stanley. It is apparent that Stella is uncomfortable around her sister because it had been a long time since they have been in each other’s presence and is avoiding saying the wrong thing to her. Blanche, however, has no problem speaking her mind. She clearly expresses that she does not think her sister should be living in such conditions, for she lives a very “high-class” lifestyle. However, it is all a lie. Obviously, Blanche and her sister are not very close at all because Stella is the one person who was willing to reach out and help her sister in her hard times, but Blanche so easily lies to her sister and her fake personality never wavers throughout the play. When talking about Mitch, Blanche’s new boyfriend who she claims she wants to marry to fix all of her problems, she says, “They think a girl over thirty out to – the vulgar term – “put out.”… And I – I’m not “putting out.” Of course he – he doesn’t know – I mean I haven’t informed him – of my real age” (1812). Perhaps she is a compulsive liar, or perhaps it is due to her consistent alcohol use. It seems that everyone Blanche is acquainted with in the play has no idea what type of person she actually is because she is always lying to them. The only person who seems to intimidate …show more content…
She was effected greatly by when she lost her husband it is apparent. She repeatedly mentions not being able to find a “light” that was once there in the story. His death was the driving force that causes her to search for that “light” in one of her own students and many other men. This ultimately causes her to lose her job and feel insecure in her own town, prompting her to move in with her sister. After being in scenes with other characters, the audience can easily pick up that Blanche is looking for opportunities to get complimented. Some may call this “fishing for a compliment.” She avoids being in places of bright light, so the men around do not see the age on her face and she can continue lying. Around these men, she downs alcoholic drinks to maintain a loose and fun exterior image. Being so obsessed with find a new light has changed Blanche into a new person because she is trying to impress everyone possible so she can escape the “old” life she was living and make a new reputation for herself. In the end, everyone is unsure what is really wrong with Blanche because she has told so many different lies, but they know she really just needs mental help of some sort so they send her to an insane