In writing the literary essay assigned for Streetcar Named Desire, I spent an obscene amount of time trying to come up with a new perspective of the play, something that both interested me to write and would be interesting to read. I settled (with the help of Professor Cassel) on looking at Blanche's character from a psychoanalytical point of view. With the help of the DSM V, the internet, and a past professor, I feel that Blanche, while in my opinion still not a character I particularly care for, is a sympathetic character. She suffers from horrors in her past unknown to most of the supporting characters in the play, leaving them to take what they see and make judgments against her.
Histrionic Personality Disorder is defined as "constant attention-seeking, emotional overreaction, and suggestibility. This personality's tendency to over-dramatize may impair relationships and lead to depression," and coupled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, alcoholism, and abandonment issues, Blanche is three gallons of crazy in a two gallon bucket. She doesn't have a choice but to be all over the place. Stella has been indulging her whims their entire lives and continues to do so, literally until the end when the doctor and nurse escort her out of the run down two room apartment.
I won't give all away in this post, but the above snippet helped me to have a better acceptance of Blanche as a character.
No comments:
Post a Comment