Blanche Dubois Insanity
Luminosity and Insanity “These fingernails have to be trimmed. Jacket doctor,” utters the Matron in the final scene, a sorrowful conclusion to the previously doomed fate of Blanche DuBois. Imagine living a lie, an illusion; afraid of coming out of the dark past and into the warm, bright light of present reality and the not-so-distant luminous future. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the eccentric protagonist Blanche manages to do just that. The play begins in New Orleans, where Blanche DuBois, a schoolteacher from Laurel, Mississippi, arrives at the apartment of her sister, Stella Kowalski. Blanche’s social condescension and mysterious loss of her family’s prized plantation wins her the instant dislike of Stella’s
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The excerpt primarily focuses on evolving the motif of light, which Blanche has a strong aversion too and which symbolizes multiple aspects of her shady past, and also characterizes her gradually declining mental state, consequentially leading to complete insanity. Again, William’s employs the motif of light in the play and this is evident through Blanche’s constant dislike of light. The characterization of her insanity is illustrated by various aspects including her troubled past and nervous nature. The passage employs both the light motif and characterization of insanity to further develop the plays themes and effectively add to the dynamics of the characters and play. Light is present in everyday life. It brightens the dark and may even serve as a beacon of hope. However, for some it is a scorching spotlight directed towards the soul, forcing individuals to shun away and hide in their dark secrets and pasts just as Blanche DuBois did. This aversion of light may be experienced by anybody, hiding from the reality of truth. Furthermore, insanity unfortunately, is present amongst people and society. Many are either born handicapped but others may mentally devolve and become psychologically unstable because of harsh or traumatic pasts, influencing their later actions, such as the case with Blanche. Not only was the motif of light and characterization of insanity illustrated in the passage, but also relate to life. The strong potency of the functions of this cited passage from A Streetcar Named Desire, transform the play into a relatable and dynamic
The excerpt primarily focuses on evolving the motif of light, which Blanche has a strong aversion too and which symbolizes multiple aspects of her shady past, and also characterizes her gradually declining mental state, consequentially leading to complete insanity. Again, William’s employs the motif of light in the play and this is evident through Blanche’s constant dislike of light. The characterization of her insanity is illustrated by various aspects including her troubled past and nervous nature. The passage employs both the light motif and characterization of insanity to further develop the plays themes and effectively add to the dynamics of the characters and play. Light is present in everyday life. It brightens the dark and may even serve as a beacon of hope. However, for some it is a scorching spotlight directed towards the soul, forcing individuals to shun away and hide in their dark secrets and pasts just as Blanche DuBois did. This aversion of light may be experienced by anybody, hiding from the reality of truth. Furthermore, insanity unfortunately, is present amongst people and society. Many are either born handicapped but others may mentally devolve and become psychologically unstable because of harsh or traumatic pasts, influencing their later actions, such as the case with Blanche. Not only was the motif of light and characterization of insanity illustrated in the passage, but also relate to life. The strong potency of the functions of this cited passage from A Streetcar Named Desire, transform the play into a relatable and dynamic