In this paper I want to pay special attention to what I titled “the two faces of Blanche DuBois”: she pretends to be innocent and good while she actually has a very striking past implying death, unhappy sexual relationships and alcoholic abuse, which she wants to hide from other people and which causes her to be on a desperate quest for somebody who sees her as something special and who unconditionally loves and protects her.
In my analysis of Blanche DuBois I am going to observe her outer appearance, her behavior concerning men and I am going to discuss the meaning of different themes in the play such as bathing, light or alcohol.
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Outer appearance
3. In company of men
4. Important Symbols
4.1 Bathing
4.2 Light
4.3 Alcohol
5. Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This academic paper examines the character of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire, focusing on her dual nature—the constructed persona of innocence versus her troubled past. The central research objective is to analyze how Blanche employs her outer appearance, interactions with men, and symbolic elements like bathing, light, and alcohol to hide her internal trauma and maintain a desperate illusion of purity.
- The psychological dichotomy of Blanche DuBois' character.
- Analysis of outer appearance as a tool for social performance.
- The impact of past traumatic experiences on interpersonal relationships.
- Symbolic interpretation of bathing, light, and alcohol in the narrative.
- The inevitable collapse of Blanche's constructed reality.
Excerpt from the book
3. In company of men
The play shows different situations wherein Blanche is in company of men. Similar to her outer appearance, she shows a behavior with whom she tries to hide the dark side of her inner self.
The first man she has a conversation with is Stanley. While Stella is in the bathroom, Stanley comes home from work and meets Blanche for the first time. “Drawing involuntary back from his stare” (Williams 2345), she seems to feel uncomfortable in his presence. She does not want him to think badly of her so she excuses herself for not “looking fresh” and that she should have “washed or […] powered [her] face” (Williams 2345) which shows that it is very important for her that men find her beautiful and admire her instead of staring at her. When one reads that Stanley “sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them” (Williams 2345), one can interpret that Blanche does not like to be looked at in that way because she does not want to be just an object of sexual desire but she wants to be truly loved by someone who is “gentle” (Williams 2386) and gallant (“I appreciate your gallantry” Williams 2357).
This wish results from her experiences with men in the past. It started with her husband Allan Grey whom she married at the age of sixteen (cf. Williams 2375) and whom she loved and “adored” so much that she almost “worshipped the ground he walked on” (Williams 2379). Their marriage was ended by him killing himself (cf. Williams 2375) after she found out about his homosexual affair and informed him about her feelings by telling him that he disgusts her (cf. Williams 2376). The shocking suicide might have triggered her behavior of avoiding telling people her true feelings whenever it is possible.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the paper's focus on Blanche DuBois and outlines the analytical approach regarding her two faces.
2. Outer appearance: This section explores how Blanche uses her clothing and appearance to project an image of innocence and sophistication to hide her reality.
3. In company of men: This chapter examines Blanche’s interactions with various male characters and how past trauma shapes her desperate need for protection and validation.
4. Important Symbols: This section investigates the symbolic meanings of bathing, light, and alcohol as mechanisms for Blanche to escape reality and cleanse her past.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes how Blanche’s internal conflict and false identity eventually lead to her psychological collapse.
Keywords
Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams, Psychological duality, Trauma, Symbolism, Bathing, Light, Alcohol, Femininity, Illusion, Identity, Character analysis, Social performance, Fragility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the character of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' play and her attempt to maintain a facade of innocence while concealing a traumatic past.
What are the key themes analyzed in the work?
Key themes include the construction of personal identity, the impact of past trauma on social behavior, the role of material appearance, and the use of coping mechanisms like alcohol and fantasy.
What is the central research question?
The research investigates how the dichotomy between Blanche's public persona and her private reality influences her interactions and eventual psychological destruction.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing upon primary text citations and secondary literary commentary to interpret character motivations and symbolism.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers Blanche’s outer appearance, her complex relationships with men, and the specific functions of symbolic elements such as light, bathing, and alcohol.
Which keywords best describe this study?
The study is characterized by keywords such as Blanche DuBois, identity, trauma, illusion, symbolism, and psychological fragility.
Why does Blanche use dimmed light throughout the play?
Blanche uses dimmed light to hide her physical aging and to avoid the uncovering of her past, which she associates with harsh, bright light.
What role does the 'bathing' motif play in Blanche's life?
Bathing serves as a symbolic attempt by Blanche to cleanse her moral self of perceived 'dirtiness' related to her past sexual history and traumatic experiences.
How does Blanche's perception of Mitch change over time?
Initially, she views Mitch as a savior and a 'gentle' man who could offer her security, but the relationship falls apart once the truth about her past is revealed.
- Quote paper
- Carolin Kotthaus (Author), 2010, The two faces of the character Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230134
