A Streetcar Named Desire Bathing Quotes

Blanche is often found bathing, which she uses as a way to purify herself from her difficult past and her dishonesty. When Blanche states that her “nerves are in knots” she says she thinks she “will bathe,” (Williams 51). Again, Blanche mentions that she takes “hot baths for my nerves,” (Williams 134) because she always feels “so good after my long, hot bath, I feel so good and cool and - rested!” (Williams 128). Bathing is a way of relaxation and purification for Blanche when she is particularly affected by her anxiety.
While Blanche uses bathing to feel clean, she also lies in order to appear clean and pure to others. As Blanche sings in the bathtub, “It wouldn’t be make-believe If you believed in me!” which shows that while she is full

When Blanche is stood up by Mitch and given a bus ticket to leave from Stanley, she begins to drink as she packs. Then, “a mood of hysterical exhilaration came into her and she has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers with brilliants set in their heels. Now she is placing the rhinestone tiara on her head,” (Williams 151). Blanche’s “soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown” and her “scuffed silver slippers” may look nice from far away, but as someone gets closer, the imperfections are revealed, just like Blanche with her looks and her lies. She places the tiara on her head to distract from the mess occurring elsewhere, similar to how Blanche lies to conceal her true, corrupt

Given Blanche’s hysterical behavior, and due to her history of lying and deceit, Blanche is difficult to believe. Not to mention, the other people around Blanche becoming convinced of Blanche’s mental instability does not help Blanche’s case. Stanley refers to Blanche as “downright loco - nuts,” (Williams 121). Mitch, then, asks Blanche is she is “boxed out of your mind?” (Williams 141). Later, the audience discovers that Blanche also suffers from hallucinations. She sees “lucid reflections appear on the walls: that are in “odd, sinuous shapes,” (Williams