blanche dubois quotes + analysis Flashcards
1
Q
“after all, a womans charm is fifty percent illusion”
A
- scene 2, desire
- when Blanche tells Stanley that illusion is fifty percent of a woman’s charm, she is, ironically, speaking to him directly for the first time
- reveals her belief in the performative nature of femininity, she views a womans charm as something that is constructed rather than inherent, aligning with the notion that women are often expected to present a certain image of themselves to the world
- blanche is constantly trying to maintain an illusion of youth, beauty and wealth even though these qualities are slipping away from her
- the idea of illusion reflects her attempt to mask the reality of her aging, troubled past and her fear of being exposed as vulnerable or attractive
- her belief in that charm is based on illusion indicates her need to deceive others and herself in order to survive in a world that values women primarily for their appearance and social standing
- Blanche having grown up in times when womens value was largely tied to their beauty and charm, feels compelled to mask the realities of her life, such as her aging, her failed marriage and her sexual trauma by creating an illusion of elegance and desirability
2
Q
“oh, I guess he’s just not the type that goes for jasmine perfume, but maybe he’s what we need to mix with our blood now that we’ve lost belle reve.”
A
- scene 2, reality vs illusion and desire
- when Stella returns home, Blanche tells her that she and Stanley have discussed the matter of Belle Reve and their family’s finances, and that they’ve settled things out
- to Stella, Blanche describes her conversation with Stanley lightly, assuring her that everything is fine
- the line “hes not the type that goes for jasmine perfume” also highlights a disconnect between blanche and stanley
- Stanleys more earthy, pragmatic and unrefined nature stands in sharp contrast to blanches world of illusion and grace
- jasmine perfume can be seen as a metaphor for blanches idealized version of femininity, which stanley, a man of lower social status and more grounded instincts would never fully appreciate
- his blunt, direct demeanor; embodied through his rough masculinity- represents a rejection of the ideals that blanche holds dear
- tet blanches pragmatic shift when she admits “maybe hes what he needs to mix with our blood now that weve lost belle reve” signals a more complex understanding of what is required to survive in the reality she faces
- shes willing to acknowledge that what she sees as course and incompatible with her vision of femininity might be the force they need to adapt to their new circumstances
- jasmines fragility mirrors blanches own vulnerability. Jasmine is a delicate flower, requiring specific conditions to thrive; just as blanche needs certain codnitions (comfort,beauty, social approval) to maintain her fragile persona
- while she clings onto the idea of the soft allure of femininity she must also recognize that she is living in a world where such illusions are insufficient for survival
3
Q
“Sit there and stare at me, thinking I let the place go? I let the place go? Where were you! In bed with your-Polack!”
A
- scene 1, class
- blanche lashes out against Stella for choosing to leave the family estate of Belle Reve for a lower-class lifestyle.
From Blanche’s perspective, Stella appears to have rejected the family’s aristocratic background in favor of a marriage to a man that she sexually desires - but Stella is not embarrassed to be married to Stanley. Rather, Blanche is projecting her own feelings of shame onto Stella
- blanche cannot face her own guilt over letting Belle Reve collapse into both social and financial ruin.
Instead, she makes herself feel morally superior by blaming Stella rather than herself - blanches confrontation with stanley highlights the tension between her upper class background and his working class status
theme: sexual desire, fantasy and delusion, masculinity and physicality,feminity and dependence
ao1:
Blanche lashes out against Stella for choosing to leave the family estate of Belle Reve for a lower-class lifestyle.
From Blanche’s perspective, Stella appears to have rejected the family’s aristocratic background in favor of a marriage to a man that she sexually desires.
But Stella is not embarrassed to be married to Stanley. Rather, Blanche is projecting her own feelings of shame onto Stella.
Blanche cannot face her own guilt over letting Belle Reve collapse into both social and financial ruin.
Instead, she makes herself feel morally superior by blaming Stella rather than herself
- blanches confrontation with stanley highlights the tension between her upper class background and his working class status
- the use of ethnic slurs shows her attempt to assert dominance over stanley in a situation where she feels powerless
- her attempt to maintain control through verbal aggression exposes her vulnerability, as she is constantly trying to mask her insecurities
- her attack on stanleys ethnicity is a means of destablizing his percieved dominance, reflecting blanches constant struggle for control and respect
- in this era, many americans were still clinging to outdated social hierachies which were beginning to be challenged by the post war shift in gender roles and labor structures
Blanches harsh words reflect her internalized class prejudices as well as her growing desperation
4
Q
“I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action”
A
- scene 3, illusion vs reality
- Blanche puts up a paper lantern to cover the harsh light of the naked light bulb, both because she wants to soften the physical light so that she appears more beautiful, and also because she wants to take symbolic control over the setting so that she can have control over her flirtation with Mitch
- blanches comparison of the naked light bulb to crude remarks or actions reveals her aversion to anything that strips away the illusion she has carefully crafted around herself
- the light bulb is bare, epxosing everything in its harsh, unforgiving glare, much like the truth she refuses to confront.
- for blanche, the soft dim lighting she prefers acts as a shield concealing both the physical and emotional decay she tries to hide from others and even herself
- the light bulb is not merely a source of illumination but a symbol of reality, one she cannot endure
- her discomfort with it parallels her unwillingness to face direct human confrontation; whether its the crude nature of her past or the darker truths about her present situation
- reveals blanches fragile psyche,which seeks to maintain control over her surroundings in order to avoid emotional exposure, indicating that her desire for appearence over authenticity extends beyond just physical settings and into her interactions with people
- The light bulb is not merely a source of illumination but a symbol of reality, one she cannot endure
- her discomfort with it parallels her unwillingness to face direct human confrontation; whether its the crude nature of her past or the darker truths about her present situation
- reveals blanches fragile psyche,which seeks to maintain control over her surroundings in order to avoid emotional exposure, indicating that her desire for appearence over authenticity extends beyond just physical settings and into her interactions with people
- Post war america saw increasing interest in freudian theories of psychology and williams incorporates this in the way blanches mental state detoriates, her resistance to truth reflects her inability to face the psychological trauma she has endured
- The great depression drastically affected the american economy and societal structure particularly in the south. As the depression caused widespread economic hardship and social change, the decline of aristocratic southern families like the dubois family became more pronounced
- blanches discomfort with harsh light and her insistence on living in illusion can be viewed as a response to the collapse of old southern ideals, her world which was once marked by wealth, comfort and respectability has been shattered and she cant face the reality of her ruined past; a past that was shaped by the societal collapse of her depression
- The naked light bulb becomes a symbol of that reality; the painful truth of financial ruin and the breakdown of southern aristocracy
- Blanche’s obsession with dim lighting symbolizes her attempt to shield herself from reality. She cannot bear the harshness of truth.
5
Q
‘I think I will bathe.’
A
- scene 3, symbolism
- This serves as a symbolic gesture that reflects Blanche’s ongoing attempts to cleanse herself of her past and present turmoil.
-The act of bathing suggests a desire for purification and renewal, mirroring her quest to wash away the stains of her past mistakes and hardships. - This line also highlights her inclination to create an air of refinement and gentility, even in the midst of her chaotic surroundings.
- Blanche’s need for cleanliness and order contrasts with the gritty and tumultuous environment of the Kowalski household, emphasising her struggle to maintain her veneer of sophistication.
- This simple yet loaded statement offers a glimpse into Blanche’s internal state, as she grapples with her past, seeks to present herself in a particular light, and navigates the challenges that confront her in the present.
6
Q
‘There’s so much–so much confusion in the world…’
A
- scene 3, loneliness
- The repetition of “so much” underscores her overwhelming sense of the complexities and challenges that exist in the world around her.
- This line captures Blanche’s tendency to seek refuge in her illusions and fantasies as a way of escaping the harsh realities she faces. Her words also suggest a longing for simplicity and clarity, contrasting with the tangled web of secrets, lies, and inner turmoil she experiences.
- Blanche’s acknowledgement of the confusion in the world reflects her struggle to navigate her own emotions and the external forces that threaten to unravel her carefully constructed facade.
- This moment underscores her vulnerability and the fragility of her mental state as she grapples with the complexities of her past and present circumstances.
7
Q
“What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire!-the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter.”
A
- scene 4,
- the streetcar named Desire that provides this play with its title is both the name of a streetcar in New Orleans and a metaphor for the powerful and often dangerous emotion that propels the characters in the play.
- Even though each character might choose to step onto the streetcar, he or she does not necessarily know where the streetcar will go, or how long the ride will be, or whether or not he or she will be able to get off.
- Desire is the engine that powers New Orleans in Williams’ play. As the streetcar rumbles through the streets, everyone is reminded of its constant, inescapable presence, and of the fact that this force is what governs everyone in the city.
- Blanche also knows that desire is the passion that drove her to New Orleans in the first place.
- Allegorically, succumbing to illicit desire drives Blanche out of her hometown, and then Desire literally drives Blanche to Stella and Stanley’s apartment.
- Blanche is scornful about desire because she fears it. Desire, to Blanche, signifies a raw, animal energy that she cannot pretend to ignore.
- This reflects Blanche’s internal conflict, as she simultaneously seeks and rejects desire, illustrating her deeper anxiety about surrendering to such uncontrollable forces.
- The metaphor of the streetcar itself represents not just the literal vehicle but also the idea of fate and predestination. Like a passenger on a streetcar, the characters in the play are driven by desire, but they have little control over its destination or consequences.
- Williams uses the streetcar as a symbol of the relentless and inescapable nature of desire, reinforcing how it drives the characters’ actions and ultimately shapes their lives. For Blanche, desire is not just a force within her but something that has shaped the trajectory of her life—leading her to New Orleans and to her undoing.
- Blanches scorn and fear of desire reveal her cognitive dissonance- she both yearns for affection and intimacy while being terrified of the consequences. The conflict between desire and guilt is central to her character, showing how she projects an image of herself as morally superior while secretly craving the attention and affection that her past actions have ruined.
- This creates a sense of self sabotage, where shes simultaneously drawn to and repelled by desire which leads to her emotion destruction
- Her past is filled with loss and trauma, and seeking out illicit desires is a way to distract from the memories that haunt her. Illustrating the idea that desire acts as a coping mechanism where indulging in desire becomes a way of temporarily fleeing from emotional pain or personal responsibility, even if it ultimately causes more harm
- New orelans as the setting plays a crucial role in the thematic development of desire
- The streetcar as a literal part of the new orleans landscape reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the city itself
- New orleans was historically a melting pot of different cultures and social classes, embodying a sense of fluidity and instability
In this environment, desire isnt something that can be easily controlled or confined; it’s a force that moves through the city just as the streetcar moves through the streets, constantly in motion and unpredictable. - The cities vibrant, hedonistic culture mirrors the desires and excesses that drives the characters
8
Q
‘everything I own is in that trunk’
A
- scene 2,
- Blanche’s trunk contains objects from her past and her entire life
-despite wanting a fresh start, Blanche is very possessive over it
-symbol of both the good and bad moments in her past
-fake artefacts inside are a symbol of Blanche’s pretense and her real lost home and love that haunts her - facade is slipping
9
Q
‘I don’t want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes magic!
A
- scene 9, illusion vs reality, truth + lies
-Blanche’s admission of her deciet
-tone expresses her lack of malice in her decietfulness
-childish nature to her mischief-trauma and immaturity, naiivity
-juxtapositon in Blanche’s ideas of realism and magic, irony in her belief that she is right in telling lies
10
Q
‘You didn’t know Blanche as a girl. nobody, nobody was tender and trusting as she was. But people like you abused her, and forced her to change”
A
- scene 8, femininity
- we are presented with Blanche at the end of her gradual mental breakdown
-suggests an innocence once existed within Blanche that was slowly buried over the years
-Stella acts as a credible source for Blanche’s character before she was traumatised by her husband’s death
-repetition of nobody shows an insistance that Blanche was once ender, trusting and pure as her name suggests
-Stella’s people like you refers to Stanley, but also could reflect the brutality of the new world. Shows a surprising contempt for her husband - highlights Stella’s recognition of the damage inflicted upon Blanche and her attempt to appeal to Stanley’s conscience, though ultimately, her efforts are futile.
11
Q
“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers”
A
- scene 11, illusion vs reality
- last line drips with irony
-Blanche has many a time depended on this kindness but was left abused, battered and discarded
-state of her on her arrival in Elysian Fields is a testement to this
-still hopeful, still clings to the prospect of kindness something we haven’t seen in the play
12
Q
‘Yes, I had many intimacies with strangers. After the death of Allan - intimacies with strangers was all i seemed able to fill my empty heart with.’
A
- scene 9, loneliness
-only other time kindness of strangers is mentioned
-dependency is triggered with the death of her husband
-indulged with intimacies with strangers to find “protection” and fill the sense of emptyness she was left with
-glaringly obvious that these strangers were only kind to her because they were offered sex
-everyone is a stranger to Blanche, but Stella, and she is denied sympathy from everyone like the people who exhiled her from Laurel - attempts to explain the emotional devastation that led to her downfall.
13
Q
‘I can smell the sea air. The rest of my time I’m going to spend on the sea.’[The cathedral chimes are heard]
A
- scene 11, desire
-Blanche’s reality is destructive to her, sinks back into her coping mechanis,
-foreshadow her immediate furture
-metaphorical death of her charcater
-even in her final allusion, Blanche reflects her obsession with death, young men, and Allan
-sea could be a symbol of freedom, characterised by it’s openess juxtaposed to the apartment, the hotel rooms she was trapped in
-Blanche’s obsession with death interwoven with sex,
-stage directions of chiming of church bells can also be read as an extension of this interpretation
-bells rung for weddings, funerals and to ward off evil, could symbolise her new beginning or her end - Blanche’s monologue around death. Context link to Hart Crane but also a continuation of the bathing motif. The ocean = the ultimate bath, ensuring she will be eternally clean.
- The white sack creates the idea of innocence and purity and will ensure that she will remain this way forever in death.
14
Q
“When I was sixteen, I made the discovery - love. All at once and much, much too completely. It was like you suddenly turned a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me. But I was unlucky. Deluded.”
A
- scene 6,
- Blanches’ understanding and metaphor of love as a blinding light that entered her otherwise dim light
-not necessarily a positive associated due to the semantic field of negative words
-uncomfortable for the eye
-this reflects how the love she felt for Allan ended in a violent tragedy
-while it usually has positive associations and symbolises truth, Williams twists this idea of light - -the harsh reality of the world, the light, forces Blanche into a world of fantasies/delusions
15
Q
[Stanley “seizes the paper lantern, tearing it off the lightbulb, and extends it towards her. She cries out as if the light bulb was herself”
A
- scene 11,
- his last action by Stanley emphasizes his victory over Blanche. Stanley, symbolizing the new era of the harsh truth, tears the lantern, implying that Blanche is finally stripped from her dreams and she is left exposed to the harsh reality
- Stanley extends the ripped paper lantern to her, giving back her shattered dreams.
16
Q
‘her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light.’
A
- scene 1, illusion vs reality
- Foreshadows her failure in the play as her delicate nature appears to not be durable to the roughness and reality that is represented by the strong light
- Her need to avoid it also suggests that she is unwilling to accept the truth of the reality she lives in and prefers the beautiful dreams that she is able to create in the dark.
