To what extent does Williams portray Blanche as a tragic heroine in Scene 1?
Although there are many different viewpoints on a tragic hero, Aristotle made his views clear that a hero must fall from fortune and power, with a tragic flaw allowing the reader to empathise with the character. It is difficult to determine whether Blanche has these qualities from scene one, however there are clear signs that she is far from a conventional heroine. Williams has Blanche first enter the play in a naïve and shocked manner to display her lack of power and insecurity in society. As Blanche enters New Orleans, it is made clear that 'her appearance is incongruous' as Williams immediately presents her as an outsider to the community. The image Williams creates of her 'carrying a valise' whilst wearing a 'fluffy bodice' is a stark contrast to the urban surroundings and the 'easy intermingling of races'. Williams does this to encourage the audience to question her belonging in society, wondering why the main character has so little in common with the setting of the play. This lack of power makes it clear to the audience that Blanche is not a tragic heroine, with her reversal of fortune being hard to foresee. Therefore Williams uses Blanche's strange entrance to New Orleans to emphasise her lack of heroic qualities. Williams uses Blanche's hypocritical actions about alcohol to remove any pity the audience may have for her addiction. As Blanche first enters Stella's
