"A Streetcar Named Desire"

In this particular playwright by Tennessee Williams, I think he does a wonderful job demonstrating the stereotypes plaguing the early 20th century, something he, himself, was victim to as well in these uncomfortable times. In his play he includes every aspect of discrimination: gender, sexuality, ethnicity, monetarily and politically social hierarchy. He makes this point, especially, clear when he introduces Stella's sister, Blanche, in the beginning of the play. Blanche is intended to be the quintessential "southern belle" as she appears at her sister, Stella's, flat in New Orleans. ". . . Her appearance is incongruous to this setting. She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district. . ." However, we soon learn that Blanche is, at the very least, attempting to hide some part of herself. When Stella makes her appearance, Blanche is beside herself, demanding Stella not look at her in the light until she is able to bathe and apply makeup. This is one of the many ways Williams defines the sexual roles of females at this time. Blanche has been traumatized by death back home and angry at Stella for not being there for her and to accompany her in the demands that death-in those days-took on a person responsible for such things. Regardless of such events, Williams portrays Blanche as a manipulative and -possibly even-vindictive person on a quest to right some wrongs done to her. This perspective is completely one-sided, however; Blanche was completely abandoned and left to her own devices, as a child. I, whole-heartedly, understand where Blanche is coming from, not only as a woman, but as a human being. Blanche may continue to be manipulative throughout the play, but I see this as her inner-child coming to terms with what life has handed her, or at least an attempt at it.