A Streetcar Named Desire - Blanche's characterisation

Blanches characterisation

Blanche is characterised as a trauma instilled character suffering from mental turmoil; suggestively ptsd/ depression due to the theme of isolation surrounding her due to the death of her husband Allan. Through plastic theatre, William's shows how broken Blanche is. For instance, the use of the polka music plays during points in the play where Blanche is dissociating from reality; she's stuck reliving the moment of  Allan's death, the music represents that moment and emphasises the loss of: Blanche's hope, love, youth and happiness died along with Allan. Additionally, the locomotive train serves to represent the old south, and thus Blanche's guilt always following her. It represents the guilt she carries, the guilt of pushing her husband to the brink due to his sexuality. She says 'I know what you are and you disgust me' shows this, society held discriminatory views of homosexuality, and shortly after Allan shoots himself due to the guilt and misplacement he feels. Blanche feels guilty for this, feeling as though she's the sole cause.

Tennesse Williams was homosexual, but was unable to be publically vocal about it and wouldn't have been able to form plays with the main viewpoint of being homosexual, because society wouldn't idly accept that message…