Discuss the parallels between Mitch and Blanche that seem to draw them together

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Charlotte Dawson

Discuss how Blanche is presented by Williams in scene one- seven

In A Street Car Named Desire Tennessee Williams presents the dying of the gentile southern class of America in the form of Blanche Dubois a fading “southern belle” Williams uses the symbol of a moth to present Blanches vulnerability and mortality. Williams deliberate stage directions are highly detailed and lengthy they are of fundamental importance.   His use of colour and body language creates a complicated and iconic character in Blanche. Williams uses carefully constructed speech and accents, in Blanche this reveals her idealistic mind set through her long poetic speeches. Her language reinforces what we are told about her such as her class and educated background, and this depth of characterisation makes her very real to the audience.

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The symbol of the moth in the play is used to represent Blanche’s, and her class’, vulnerability in the modern world of New Orleans. From the first stage directions, Williams presents us with this image, of ‘white clothes that suggest a moth’. Her ‘delicate beauty’ must avoid ‘strong light’. This is referring to both her age and again reinforces the moth like imagery. Another symbol depicting blanches nature is that of the paper lantern and how she cannot ‘stand a naked light bulb’. This has a double meaning, typical to Williams’ style. Blanche hates her aging beauty, and wishes ...

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