Analysis of the character, Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire

This essay analyzes the character of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. The essay explores the reasons behind her mental state and the events that led to her breakdown. It discusses her actions, motivations, and the impact of her experiences, including her past, her marriage, and the sexual trauma she endured. The essay also considers the influence of societal expectations and the environment on her character, arguing that her descent into madness is a result of a combination of personal trauma and societal pressures. The essay examines how the play portrays Blanche's struggle to maintain her identity and sanity in the face of adversity, as well as the symbolism and themes presented within the play.

RUNNING HEAD: A STRRET CAR NAMED DESIRE
A STRRET CAR NAMED DESIRE
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“A street car named desire is a slow fall from grace to madness that burns with intensity.”
(Bedient)
Tennessee William’s master piece, A street car named desire has been argued to be ne of the
most strong and powerful American plays by the critics. In the telling of a tragic story of Blanche
Dubious, the play layers itself in love, passion, life, social mores, self delusion and the slow
transformation behind the carefully structured faced worn by the society.
The erratic as well as the Delusional behavior as showcased by Blanche Dubious has been a
constant occurrence in the play since the beginning (Williams,). The play ends with her taking
away to an asylum where she died under the treatment of a stranger doctor. The insanity of
Blanche has raised various questions since the gradual decline of Blanche was because of her
desperate cries for human affection and her constant struggle between the men dominated society
that perceives and adjusts the female behavior according to their own will and her own
internalization of these roles.
It has been often argued that the insanity was the result of her past life. With the
unfolding of the play the audiences come to know about her sexual voracity that was seemingly a
result of her failed marriage. Throughout the play Blanche was seen to have regretted for the
experience. However, still clinging to the idea of her innocence and purity was a means of
defense tactic to survive in the harsh world. Her final breaking down after being raped by
Stanley is often shown as the final stage of going mad. The rearing symptoms of her avoiding
shadows and taking the “false for true” as quoted by Michel Foucault are the direct hint that was
provided by William in the play. However, not only the play portrays her insanity, but also it
gives ample reason for the insanity. Thus, it is true that Blanche was driven mad and the
playwright puts forth the reasons.