As is Blanche’s self-image and her veneer of innocent charm
As is Blanche’s self-image and her veneer of innocent charm. What’s so interesting is that she knows she’s full of it, but continues to operate on a level of fantasy anyway. Or, as she later says to Mitch, “I don’t want realism- I want magic!”
To escape the harsh and unforgiving nature of reality, individuals often attempt to cushion their experiences through the use of gentle illusions. In the wake of trauma and hardship, one often turns to falsehoods to protect oneself from pain. However, in doing so, one risks an even greater and more painful process of disillusionment, which may greatly exacerbate human suffering. It is necessary to dispel the deceptively safe and tempting appearance of illusion. In A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, illusion serves both as a tool of self preservation and as a catalyst of ruin for Blanche Dubois. Ultimately, through her narrative, the author offers a commentary on the human condition and its relation to truth and reality.
