"Streetcar named Desire" by Tennessee Williams.

Essay by discordiaHigh School, 12th grade September 2003

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The first scene I am looking at is Scene nine, in which Mitch confronts Blanche about

the lies she has been telling him regarding her past. It is clear that it was Blanche's

choice to tell the lies, so in that respect the following problems are her own fault.

However, Williams may have aimed to look closely at Blanche's character to see why

she lied, and by justifying herself, she appears a tragic self absorbed failure, not a

cynical manipulator. Blanche is described as having a 'tense , hunched position',

which shows her obvious unease, and worry. She is dressed in 'scarlet', a provocative

colour, but also symbolic of danger. Blanche is becoming lost in her memories, as she

hears the 'Varsouviana' in her head as she drinks. William's tries to justify Blanche's

alcoholism, 'she is drinking to escape it, [the past], and the sense of disaster'.

Blanche is depicted as incredibly excited to see Mitch, she 'rushes around

frantically, she is so excited her breath is audible'.

There is something touching about

the way Blanche is happy to see Mitch although the irony is that he no longer loves

her. She endeavours to be good to him, although he is being deliberately cold to her,

she calls him 'beautiful', and a 'dumb angelpuss', and is eager to please. She enquires

after his mother, and tells him that she still likes him, 'I forgive you because it's such a

relief to se you' she tells him. Blanche tries to keep up the pretence of being pure

saying that she doesn't' know what she has just been drinking, 'What is that I wonder?'.

Blanche is shocked by Mitch's accusation that Blanche has been drinking all of

Stanley' liquor, and responds somewhat haughtily, 'I won't descend t the...