Key Characteristics Flashcards
What are her key characteristics?
-southern belle + aristocracy
-manipulative + pathological liar
-insecure + sensitive
-lonely
-flirtatious + seductive
-delusional
What is her southern belle and aristocratic heritage?
-from old south with aristocratic heritage
-cultured in manner - B never fails to flaunt her educated + knowledgeable self
-they way she speaks + literature references further the idea of aristocracy
How is Blanche manipulative + a pathological liar?
-bends truth to fit her stories
How does Blanche manipulate Mitch?
-into falling in love with the version of herself she portrays
-openly admits to Stella she wants to deceive Mitch into desiring her
-she believes lies help her confidence
-she claims lying is ‘part of womanhood’
How does Blanche manipulate Stella?
-does this mainly for attention
-Stella easily influenced by Blanche as in play Stella repeats things she hears about Stanley from Blanche - ‘pig’ + ‘drunk animal thing’
How is Blanche presented as insecure and sensitive?
-very aware + insecure about her aging
-shies away from bright light + only goes out at dark
-spends lots of time fixing her appearance
-constantly fishes for compliments
How is Blanche presented as lonely?
-immediately est in first scene when states Stella is all she has in the world
-she cures out frightened to Stella that she cannot be on her own also in first scene
-relationship with Mitch built on mutual loneliness
How is Blanche flirtatious and seductive?
-flirts with Stanley - asks him to button her dress
-seen talking about bathing which implies images of nudity
-she also changes in the light so her silhouette of Bhee body is visible to Mitch
How is Blanche seen as flirtatious through age?
-constantly tries to relive youth + seems stuck in the loop
-slept with young soldiers + her young student
-tried to kiss young newspaper boy during play - need to feel young again
How is Blanche presented as delusional?
-stuck in traumatic past with Allan + hears the Polka + gunshots
-states she doesn’t want realism but wants magic
-gets lost in thoughts, speaks to herself + hears voices in her head
-she can switch into fantasy world with ease
