Blanche Dubois In A Streetcar Named Desire

As individuals, we tend to be drawn towards idealism. We crave purpose and to be seen as exemplary and respectable; both by ourselves as well as others. The majority of our happiness is actually based on our self perception, whether we’d like to admit it or not. If we ourselves are not content with certain aspects of our identity, it can be difficult to find happiness our day to day lives. In the play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, the character Blanche DuBois substitutes her fantasies as her reality. She uses these delusions as a refuge from an unpleasant reality, choosing her own perception of herself over the views of others. Although her detachment from reality ultimately leads to the destruction of her sanity, it does …show more content…
When we are first introduced to Blanche in the play, she is immediately portrayed as a troubled individual who is an outsider in her surroundings. Through her conversations with her sister Stella, we find out that she had recently lost both her job as a schoolteacher as well as their family home, the Belle Reve. Later on in the play, we also learn of the circumstances of her late husband’s death, as well as her experiences with the passing of multiple family members. Blanche’s character is one who relies on idealism, and coming from the high class background that she did, the collapse of her world affects her greatly. The loss of Belle Reve represents her fallen wealth and social status, and this is shown even further when she moves in with Stella and Stanley into their apartment. Blanche never gets used to this new reality, despite her unchangeable circumstances, and she does not attempt to accept it either. She is constantly shown clinging onto her past, maintaining her performance as a high class lady, even though that past is no longer a reality. This is demonstrated through grandeur actions such as fanning herself with a palm leaf …show more content…
Her outlook on life is merely a form of self perception, as it is how she views herself and her life. This self perception provides her with the confidence and stability to cope with the unavoidable aspects of her life. Her actions are simply her natural reaction of trying to obtain a life that will bring her the happiness that she currently lacks. Blanche’s reliance on men to provide for her is evident throughout the entire play; it can be seen through Mitch, Shep Huntleigh, as well as the random men that she pursues and sleeps with. This promiscuity is her way of finding security, and although she doesn’t exactly achieve a recreation of her past, it does allow her to stay grounded. Her dream of being “saved” by Shep shows that she keeps herself going by providing an image of a brighter future, even if this future is false. Blanche’s continuous grasp on this idealism reflects her ability to dream of a better life as well as do what she believes is making the best of her situation. This illogical optimism is expressed not only through her actions, but by how she portrays herself to others. When we first meet Blanche, she is seen dressed a white suit. The white represents the illusion of innocence and higher status that she aims to embody herself in. She also lies about her true past to the other characters in the play,