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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the character Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, focusing on the duality of her personality. The objective is to explore how Blanche's outward presentation contrasts with her hidden past, revealing the complexities of her character and motivations.
- The duality of Blanche DuBois's personality: her deceptive facade versus her troubled past.
- The significance of Blanche's outward appearance and its role in concealing her true self.
- Blanche's interactions with men and the impact of her past relationships on her behavior.
- The symbolic use of bathing, light, and alcohol in representing Blanche's emotional state and psychological struggles.
- Blanche's desperate search for love and protection as a consequence of her past traumas.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Blanche DuBois's character in A Streetcar Named Desire. It establishes the paper's focus on exploring the duality of Blanche's personality, highlighting her outward pretense of innocence and goodness in contrast to her hidden past marked by death, unhappy sexual relationships, and alcohol abuse. The introduction outlines the approach the paper will take, focusing on Blanche's outward appearance, her interactions with men, and the symbolic meaning of certain themes within the play, setting the framework for a detailed exploration of her complexities.
2. Outer appearance: This chapter analyzes Blanche's calculated presentation of self, emphasizing how her outward appearance is a carefully constructed facade. Her clothing, always immaculate and elegant, symbolizes innocence and purity, a stark contrast to the reality of her past. The chapter draws on critical interpretations of Blanche's appearance, noting the importance of her "fragile beauty" and how this appearance reinforces her desire to be perceived as refined and delicate, despite her internal turmoil. The chapter explores how Blanche's meticulous attention to her appearance serves to mask her inner struggles and vulnerability, highlighting her desperate attempt to maintain an illusion of social standing and composure.
3. In company of men: This section delves into Blanche's interactions with men, demonstrating how her behavior reflects her attempts to hide the darker aspects of her past. Her interactions with Stanley highlight her discomfort with his directness and her preference for men who offer gentleness and gallantry. The chapter traces the roots of her behavior back to her past relationships, specifically her troubled marriage and subsequent affairs. Blanche's history of failed relationships and traumatic experiences directly impacts her behavior with men, revealing her vulnerability and her desperate need for love and acceptance. Her attempts to conceal her past from men highlight her deep-seated fear of rejection and her vulnerability. The chapter illustrates how her past traumas shape her present interactions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire, duality, deception, appearance versus reality, past trauma, male relationships, symbolism, alcohol abuse, Southern Gothic, femininity, illusion, identity.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Streetcar Named Desire - Blanche DuBois Analysis
What is the overall focus of this paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Blanche DuBois's character in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. The main focus is on exploring the duality of her personality, contrasting her outward presentation with her hidden past and revealing the complexities of her character and motivations.
What key themes are explored in the analysis of Blanche DuBois?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the duality of Blanche's personality (deceptive facade vs. troubled past), the significance of her outward appearance in concealing her true self, her interactions with men and the impact of past relationships, the symbolic use of bathing, light, and alcohol in representing her emotional state, and her desperate search for love and protection stemming from past traumas.
What are the main chapters and their content?
The paper is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the stage, outlining the paper's focus and approach. Chapter 2 (Outer Appearance) analyzes Blanche's calculated presentation of self and how her appearance masks her inner struggles. Chapter 3 (In Company of Men) delves into Blanche's interactions with men, revealing how her past traumas shape her behavior. Chapter 4 (Important Symbols) examines the symbolic use of bathing, light, and alcohol. Chapter 5 (Conclusion) summarizes the findings (although the provided text excerpt does not include this chapter's summary).
What specific symbols are analyzed in relation to Blanche DuBois?
The analysis focuses on the symbolic representation of Blanche's emotional state and psychological struggles through bathing, light, and alcohol. These symbols are explored in detail to understand their connection to her character and experiences.
How does Blanche's outward appearance contribute to the overall analysis?
Blanche's carefully constructed outward appearance is a central element of the analysis. Her immaculate clothing and "fragile beauty" symbolize innocence and purity, contrasting sharply with the reality of her troubled past. This contrast highlights her desperate attempt to maintain an illusion of social standing and composure, masking her inner turmoil and vulnerability.
What role do Blanche's interactions with men play in the analysis?
Blanche's interactions with men, particularly Stanley Kowalski, are crucial to understanding her character. Her behavior reflects her attempts to hide the darker aspects of her past. Her past relationships, including her troubled marriage and subsequent affairs, directly impact her present interactions, revealing her vulnerability and need for love and acceptance.
What are the key words associated with this analysis of Blanche DuBois?
Key words include: Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire, duality, deception, appearance versus reality, past trauma, male relationships, symbolism, alcohol abuse, Southern Gothic, femininity, illusion, and identity.
- 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
