Blanche Dubois In 'A Streetcar Named Desire'

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Zhang Qiang highlights protagonist Blanche's fatal flaw as a tragic character in a harsh society. Blanche is unable to confront the reality of her bankruptcy. She is stuck between her childhood aristocratic lifestyle and current status. While she attempts to fight against tradition, mainly by sexual exploration, she still relies on men to solve problems in her life. Men provide pleasure, protection, and an end to loneliness for Blanche. Her split personality of liberation and reliance on men makes her incapable of making proper decisions in life. It is Blanche’s “brittle, sensitive, and innocent personality which caused the tragic fate of her (Qiang 107).” Traditional southern society and gender roles have deprived her of individualism, making her “vulnerable to the rule or invasion by men (Qiang 109).” In her attempt to represent southern …show more content…

Women at the time were economically dependent of men and deprived of their equal rights. As a teacher with meager finances, Shep Huntleigh is an ideal for fiscal strength. “Blanche may suggest if women place their hope and fortune on men, their oppressed and subordinate status can never be changed, and their dream of a happy life is bound to break (Fang 104).” Fang also discusses how Blanche struggles with being a gentlewoman with her sexual desire. Despite her unconventional sexual appetite, Blanche is shocked to learn of her husband’s homosexuality which at the time would be seen as immoral or unacceptable. Blanche is the “ideal of hypocrisy and pretension (Fang 105).” She has Mitch convinced she is an innocent, old-fashioned woman, but avoids strong lighting and uses unnecessary fancy language to show her status as a refined lady. I cannot disagree on any point within Fang’s writings. Although Blanche is dependent on those around her, she is also manipulative and cruel to those she believes are beneath

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