Title: Blanche’s Fantasy: A world created in A Streetcar Named Desire
Many times, people escape into a fantasy world because they cannot deal with reality. Other times, people forget about escaping into that world and decide to face reality. However, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the theme of fantasy’s inability to overcome reality is extremely prevalent. Blanche DuBois not only escapes into a fantasy world, but uses that fantasy world to lie to the others around her. Instead of always telling the truth, she tells “what ought to be the truth.” Blanche truly believes she is living in reality and therefore, is unaware she is fantasizing.
Wednesday
Claim & Quotes- Documented Essay
Claim: Blanche DuBois not only escapes into a fantasy world, but uses that fantasy world to lie to the others around her. Instead of always telling the truth, she tells “what ought to be the truth.” Blanche truly believes she is living in reality and therefore, is unaware she is fantasizing.
Quotes to use:
Escapism is a way of refocusing one’s attention on things pleasant or enjoyable, as opposed to the hard realities of the everyday world (Tricia Christensen)
Blanche: You haven’t asked me how I happened to get away from the school before the spring term ended.
Stella: Well I thought you’d volunteer that information- if you wanted to tell me.
Blanche: I was exhausted by all I’d been through my- nerves broke. I was on the verge of—lunacy, almost! So Mr. Graves—Mr. Graves is the high school superintendent—he suggested I take a leave of absence. I couldn’t put all of those details into the wire… (Scene I 20-21).
Fantasy as a defense mechanism can protect one’s self esteem as when educational, vocational or social expectations are not being met (Michael Nolan)
Blanche: I bought this adorable little colored paper lantern at a Chinese shop on Bourbon. Put it over the light bulb! Will you, please?
Mitch: Be glad to.
Blanche: I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action. (Scene III- 55).
--I will incorporate these into my essay and explain their significance. Some of them come from outside sources and some of them come from the play. There are more quotes that I will use than I posted here.
Quotes to use:
Escapism is a way of refocusing one’s attention on things pleasant or enjoyable, as opposed to the hard realities of the everyday world (Tricia Christensen)
Blanche: You haven’t asked me how I happened to get away from the school before the spring term ended.
Stella: Well I thought you’d volunteer that information- if you wanted to tell me.
Blanche: I was exhausted by all I’d been through my- nerves broke. I was on the verge of—lunacy, almost! So Mr. Graves—Mr. Graves is the high school superintendent—he suggested I take a leave of absence. I couldn’t put all of those details into the wire… (Scene I 20-21).
Fantasy as a defense mechanism can protect one’s self esteem as when educational, vocational or social expectations are not being met (Michael Nolan)
Blanche: I bought this adorable little colored paper lantern at a Chinese shop on Bourbon. Put it over the light bulb! Will you, please?
Mitch: Be glad to.
Blanche: I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action. (Scene III- 55).
--I will incorporate these into my essay and explain their significance. Some of them come from outside sources and some of them come from the play. There are more quotes that I will use than I posted here.
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