SND Essay - Character Flashcards
Who is the central character is “A Streetcar Named Desire”
Blanche Dubois
What is Blanche’s weakness or flaw
Her inability to tell the truth
Rough essay paragraph plans (topic)
Paragraph 1 - Blanche attempts to establish her illusion of innocence and purity
Paragraph 2 - Her past is slowly revealed
Paragraph 3 - Her past and deceit catch up with her, as Stanley brutally rapes her - seeking revenge
Paragraph 4 - driven into a state of madness
What quotes + analysis can be used to illustrate Blanche’s initial attempts to create an illusion and conceal her past (paragraph 1)
+ “She is daintily dressed in a white suit…and ear-rings of pearl”
+ “Virgo is the virgin”
+ “she’s soaking in a hot tub to quiet her nerves”
What quotes + analysis can be used to illustrate steady reveal of Blanche’s promiscuous and promiscuous pash (paragraph 2)
+ “I’ve got to be good and keep my hands off children”
+ “he’d stuck the revolver into his mouth and fired”
+ “I found out some things”
What quotes + analysis can be used to depict the eventual raping of Blanche (paragraph 3)
+ “Not once did you pull any wool over this boy’s eyes”
+ “We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning”
What quotes + analysis can be used to demonstrate Blanche’s eventual fall into insanity (paragraph 4)
+ “I have always depended on the kindness of others”
Introduction:
+ The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams features the highly deceitful character of Blanche Dubois, who’s inability to remain truthful catalyses her downfall.
+ unsuccessful in hiding promiscuous past
+ leads to rape and spiralling descent into insanity
+ through the use of…Williams creates a stark, harrowing image of Blanche’s final state of insanity - warning the reader of the dangerous, destructive nature of lies.
Conclusion:
+ The play…by…features a character whom…
+ through the development of Blanche’s pathological deceit, it is evident that her eventual mental deterioration is a direct results of a denial of reality
+ Williams employs a host of dramatic techniques to create…
+ shows the dangers of reliance on others.
