Blanche critical essay

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Tennessee Williams’ perplexing, insightful and ever-relevant play “A Streetcar name Desire” explores the idea of the struggle for survival in the New South. At the beginning of the play one of the characters -Blanche Dubois - comes across as a “prim and proper” Southern Belle representing the old southern values, yet it’s revealed throughout the play that it’s façade used by Blanche so she can survive in the New South. Blanche’s necessity for deceit infuriates one of the characters whom she moved in with – Stanley, whom represents the values of the New South. Stanley takes it upon himself to uncover Blanche’s lies, eventually destroying her façade and ultimately Blanche and her old southern values are unable to survive in the New South. This façade and its eventual breakdown are amplified via Williams’ eloquent use of dramatic irony, symbolism, costuming and staging.

Question 2

Paragraph 1

Answer 2

Intro sentence: Blanche’s façade of purity and innocence is epitomised in the opening scene of the play through Williams’ effective costuming of the character.
Quotes: “She is daintily dressed in a white suit.”, (“faded”, “weathered”), “I-I rarely touch it.”, “Some people rarely touch it, but it touches them often.”, “I don’t like to be swindled.”
Summary: Connotations of Blanche’s costuming contrasts New Orleans, immediate lying to Stanley and him calling her up on it.

Question 3

Paragraph 2

Answer 3

Intro sentence: The idea that Blanche’s appearance and the way she conducts herself is merely a façade is developed further in the second scene.
Quotes: “Next door to glass.”, “ape-like”, survivor of the Stone Age.” “Under the cover of the noise of a passing train, Stanley enters from outside.”
Summary: Rhinestone, class difference, insults due to class, dramatic irony and train metaphor.

Question 4

Paragraph 3

Answer 4

Intro sentence: Stanley’s first attempt at getting rid of Blanche occurs in scene seven where he meticulously exposes each of the Blanche’s lies that’s she’s had them believe.
Quotes: “Soaking in a hot tub.”, “lie number 1…lie number 2…”, “I bought her a ticket myself. A bus ticket!” “The distant piano goes into a hectic breakdown.”
Summary: twofold bathing, lies exposed by Stanley, bus ticket (class), music breakdown.

Question 5

Paragraph 4

Answer 5

Intro sentence: Williams also uses music the music of the Varosouviana polka to reveal to the audience some of Blanche’s past and her inner breakdown.
Quotes: “you were married once?”- varsouviana music is heard in the distance, “ The Varsouviana, the polka they were playing…when Allan – wait!”
Summary: when music fades in and what it symbolises, reason for symbolism, increased concentration towards end of play means less chance of survival.

Question 6

Paragraph 5

Answer 6

Intro sentence: Blanche’s illusion has completely collapsed at the play’s climax – scene 10.
Quotes: “ she has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers.” , “ Lurid reflections appear on the walls around Blanche. The shadows are of a grotesque and menacing form.”
Summary: costuming of Blanche and contrast, lighting reflects inner breakdown and foreshadows rape, discuss rape.

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

In conclusion, Williams’ clever use of costuming, music and symbolism effectively conveys Blanche’s facade and its breakdown throughout the play at the hands of Stanley, due to this illusion being destroyed Blanche is left exposed and vulnerable to the harsh and brutal reality of the New South – effectively revealing one of the play’s key themes – the struggle for survival in the New South.