Abstract

This paper mainly studies the causes of Blanche’s tragedy. A Streetcar Named Desire, largely an autobiography, displays the clash and conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist which imitate the real life between his violent father and genteel mother. Blanche, is almost the representative of her mother and her sister. First of all, the author emphasizes social roots of Blanche’s tragedy, and analyzes why Blanche is a product of the Old Southern and a victim of the capitalism. Southern culture and custom influence her deeply, forcing her to regard men as her own happiness and reliance. When men around her all abandon her, Blanche plucks herself into darkness and madness. Secondly, the author reveals her own characteristics that affect her tragic fate, from the perspectives of death and desire, illusion and reality, victim and intruder. Blanche indulges herself in a realm of her charming imagination and sweet dream that she creates, but cruel reality destroys her illusion thoroughly. In the story, Williams makes good use of symbols to highlight Blanche’s tragedy. These symbolic items, such as music, perfume, and paper lantern, serves to makes deeper impression about Blanche’s image and her tragic fate. Though the image of Blanche, Williams presents a sophisticated woman tortured by her inner conflict and contradiction. By focusing on the causes of her tragedy, this paper seeks to establish an ideal equal society between men and women, and attempts to offer some suggestions for modern men under the similar situation.

Key words: Blanche; tragedy; desire; conflict

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction.1

  1.1Tennessee Williams’ life and his works.1

  1.2 Reviews about A Streetcar Named Desire and its protagonists.2

2 Analysis of social roots.3

  2.1 Social culture.3

  2.2 Woman’s role in that time4

3 Analysis of Blanche’s character.6

  3.1 Death and desire.6

  3.2 Illusion and reality.7

  3.3 Victim and intruder.9

4 Symbols to stress Blanche’s tragedy10

  4.1 Symbols of Blanche and Stanley.10

  4.2 Symbols of illusion and reality.11

5 Conclusion12

References14