Weakness and flaw flashcards
What to write for the intro of weakness and flaw essay
‘A streetcar named desire’ by Tennessee Williams is a play where the central character Blanche Dubois is destroyed by her weakened façade and her attempt to hide from reality. The play is centred around her visit to see her sister Stella and her brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski. Throughout the play, it is clear Blanche maintains an allusion to hide her past and survive the brutality of the new South. William’s uses numerous techniques such as characterisation, lighting, costuming and dramatic climax to highlight Blanches inner conflicts between reality and illusion. This contributes to the readers appreciation of the play because it clearly shows Blanches inability to adapt to Stanley Kowalski’s New South way of living. As the play progresses, we continue to see Blanches flawed mental state deteriorate and subsequently she is taken into a mental institution emphasising Blanches inability to adapt to the new south.
What’s the first sentence of the first para
We are first introduced to Blanche as a weakened character in scene 1 when she enters the “weathered grey” setting of New Orleans. Williams uses her costume as a technique to represent the façade that Blanche is a confident and classy woman.
What’s the second sentence of the first paragraph
Blanche is described to be wearing a “white suit with a fluffy bodice”, conveying her as pure and innocent. This is an important introduction of Blanche as it creates the illusion that Blanche is a confident, capable woman.
What’s the third sentence for the first para
However shortly after, Williams describes introduces the image that blanche is in fact extremely insecure and weak when describing her dress as “delicate”, this is important as this introduces the image that Blanche is in fact terrified of reality, giving a hint of Blanches weakness.
What’s the concluding sentence for para one
This is a crucial contribution to the readers understanding of the play because it shows how differently she conveys herself using her confident, classy clothes, compared to the brutal reality that she is in fact weak, delicate and mentally flawed. Blanche wants to be seen as ‘perfect’ when in fact she is far from that.
What’s the key quotes for stanza one
“Weathered grey”
“White suit with a fluffy bodice”
“Delicate”
What’s the opening sentence for para 2
Blanches relationship with alcohol also implies great weakened façade as she can’t deal without alcohol. It is clear throughout the play that Blanche turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism and to escape reality.
Explain the quote “Blanche pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down”
William’s use of stage directions “Blanche pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down” emphasises her weakness as she clearly uses alcohol to escape reality and run away from her lies.
What’s the third part that para 2 should include
Blanche clearly struggles to tell the truth throughout the play, and this is first brought to the reader’s attention when she is asked about alcohol and she abruptly states, “I rarely touch it”.
Explain the quote “I rarely touch it”
This is interesting as it shows she is in denial and has a weakness towards alcohol. Her desire to hide alcoholism represents her façade and conveys the idea that Blanche is unable to survive in the brutal new south without illusion and lies. This characterisation of Blanche highlights her weakness as she is drowning in the New South and cannot accept her new fate.
What are the key quotes of para 2
“Blanche pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down”
“I rarely touch it”
What’s the opening sentence for para 3
William’s use of symbolic lighting is also used to showcase the flaws of Blanches illusion. Blanche tries to avoid the reality of her age by avoiding direct light. This can be seen when she states she “can’t stand a naked lightbulb”.
Explain the quote “can’t stand a naked lightbulb.
Blanches avoidance of light symbolically represents her weakened desire to not let people see her for who she really is. The light exposes truth, and to hide the truth and maintain her illusion.
Explain the quote “coloured paper lantern”
Blanche buys a “coloured paper lantern” to cover up the original lighting in her sister’s apartment. This is interesting and depicts Blanches insecurities as she does not feel confident within herself. The harsh naked light can also be seen to represent the harsh new life Blanche has entered.
What’s the concluding sentence for para three
Just as Blanche is avoiding the natural light to hide her face, she is also avoiding reality and lying to ensure she does not expose her façade. This conveys weakness of her façade as Blanche is unable to survive her new life and is constantly hiding from the harsh brutality of the New South.
