„A Streetcar Named Desire is a lyrical drama about the decline and fall of Blanche DuBois.“ (Londre, 1979: 78). In this quotation Felicia Hardison Londré indicates that both the character and the inner development of the protagonist Blanche are the focus of attention in “A Streetcar Named Desire”.
At first glance, Blanche DuBois may seem superficial, even a bit ridiculous on account of the importance she attributes to her looks and to her former social status. However, in my way of thinking, the protagonist’s behaviour is in a certain way symptomatic of society itself, even of humanity as a whole. That may be why “Walcott Gibbs referred to A Streetcar Named Desire as ‘a brilliant impacable play about the disintegration of a woman, or if you like, of a society.’” (Nelson 1961: 121). Therefore, I consider it crucial to allow insight into the multiple facets of Blanche’s personality. All the same, before approaching the caracterization, it is in my opinion necessary to provide you with some basic information about the writer of the play and its contents.
Table of Contents
0. The importance of Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
1. Short biography of Tennessee Williams
2. Summary of the play
3. Caracterization of Blanche DuBois
3.1. Focus on the “outside world”
3.2. Blanche DuBois –incarnation of human loneliness
3.2.1. The reasons of Blanche’s loneliness
3.2.2. Blanche’s efforts to fight her loneliness
3.3. Blanche’s inner conflict – sexual desire of the body vs. transcendent aspirations of the soul
3.4. Blanche’s world of illusions
4. Blanche as an illustration of the antagonistic nature of each human being
5. Bibliography
Research Objective and Core Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the internal development and psychological complexity of the protagonist Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" to understand her character as a representative of the human struggle between appearance and reality.
- The biographical influence of Tennessee Williams on the play's themes.
- Blanche DuBois as a manifestation of loneliness and social alienation.
- The internal conflict between sexual desire and spiritual/romantic aspirations.
- The use of illusions as a psychological defense mechanism against harsh reality.
- Blanche as an archetype of the antagonistic nature inherent in human beings.
Excerpt from the Book
3.4. Blanche’s world of illusions
As mentioned in the last chapter, Blanche is permanently struggling to hide her real personality. In the constant effort to conceal her past life she has even become “ […] a pathological liar […]” (Winchell 1958: 165). Instead of confessing her former promiscuity, Blanche DuBois continues living in a world where she still is the innocent lady of perfect integrity (see Williams 1947: 93). The protagonist herself explains her strange behaviour by stating: “I don’t want realism.” (Williams 1947: 130). This particular outlook on life evokes her refusal to accept the dark and ugly facets of life which she prefers to have glossed over with the beautiful world provided by illusion and imagination. Thus, Blanche’s efforts basically signal her “[…] endeavoring to transform the hardness of reality” (Londré 1979: 93) because she cannot cope with it. All the same, according to the protagonist’s own perspective, she does not really lie, but simply avoids the verity (Williams 1947: 130: “I don’t tell truth, I tell what ought to be truth.”).
It is this very notion of truth that distinguishes Blanche from her antagonist Stanley Kowalski. Whereas the female main character attempts to transcend “[…] the sordid realilty of her past […]” (Thompson 1987: 50), the blue-collar worker embodies cruel realism which is implicit in the tenacity he applies while pursuing “[…] the corrupt facts of her stories […]” (Thompson 1987: 26). In summary, while Stanley Kowalski represents the world as it is, Blanche sees the world as it ought to be.
Summary of Chapters
0. The importance of Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire”: This introductory chapter establishes the focus on Blanche’s personality and the play's broader societal relevance.
1. Short biography of Tennessee Williams: Provides a concise overview of the playwright's life, highlighting key personal experiences that shaped his work.
2. Summary of the play: Outlines the narrative plot and introduces the foundational conflict between Blanche and Stanley Kowalski.
3. Caracterization of Blanche DuBois: Analyzes Blanche’s personality through her external appearance, deep-seated loneliness, internal conflicts, and reliance on illusions.
4. Blanche as an illustration of the antagonistic nature of each human being: Concludes that Blanche serves as a universal example of the struggle between human instincts and rationalism.
5. Bibliography: Lists the primary and secondary sources used for the analysis.
Keywords
Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams, loneliness, illusion, reality, sexual desire, antagonistic nature, psychology, trauma, drama, character analysis, symbolism, internal conflict, Southern Belle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on an in-depth character analysis of Blanche DuBois, exploring her psychological development and her role as a central figure in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire."
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The work covers themes of isolation, the struggle between appearance and reality, the destructive nature of illusions, sexual repression, and the internal antagonism of the human psyche.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to explore why Blanche is considered a representative of the modern human being by examining how her character mirrors the fundamental conflicts between instinct and rational thought.
Which methodology is applied in this analysis?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, drawing upon text-based evidence from the play and integrating perspectives from various literary scholars and critics.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines Blanche's vanity, her loneliness following her husband's death, her coping mechanisms like alcohol and sexual promiscuity, and her inability to reconcile her past with the reality imposed by Stanley Kowalski.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include Blanche DuBois, Tennessee Williams, psychological analysis, human loneliness, illusion vs. reality, and the antagonistic nature of the human being.
How does the author interpret Blanche's relationship with Stanley?
The author views Stanley as the embodiment of "cruel realism" who acts as a catalyst for Blanche’s destruction by forcing her to confront the reality she desperately tries to escape.
What is the significance of the "paper lantern" mentioned in the text?
The paper lantern is interpreted as a symbol of Blanche’s attempt to camouflage reality and shield herself from being seen in a bright, unforgiving light that exposes her true self.
Why does the paper emphasize Blanche’s "metaphysical loneliness"?
It highlights her search for transcendence and salvation, noting that she often projects these needs onto others, such as her sister or the fictional character Shep Huntleigh, in a world she perceives as lacking divine redemption.
- Quote paper
- Melanie Skiba (Author), 2008, The character of Blanche DuBois in 'A Streetcar named desire', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/136342
