Describe how Blanche is presented, paying particular attention to her actions and language and the directions given by Williams. Note any conventions of Plastic Theatre that are incorporated. Quote to support your ideas.
Scene 5 of Tennessee William's play, "A Streetcar Named Desire", is crucial towards the uncovering of the real Blanche Du Bois. Blanche, who arrived at her sister's house dressed to the nines and behaving impeccably, is actually a social runaway who has run out of money and whose reputation precedes her. During the discussion that took place between the three main characters, Blanche, Stella and Stanley, about astrological signs, Blanche reveals that she is born "under Virgo". Virgo is the virgin. William's choice of Blanche's astrological sign presents her as innocent as virginity has the connotations of purity and of a higher spiritual calling. The idea of Blanche being presented as innocent and pure is furthermore developed through William's choice of clothing as Blanche is wearing a "pretty white dress". White clothing associates with purity, peace as well as perfection. Consequently, it connotes the sense that Blanche is an elegant, chic lady establishing her chastity and also her desire of a new beginning in New Orleans. Nevertheless, this quality of Blanche contradicts with the following events in the play. The name of the hotel where Blanche stayed, the Flamingo, is a sign of deception, as she denied that she was ever seen in this establishment. It is evident that Blanche is not revealing the truth when she "laughs breathlessly" and "she speaks lightly but her voice has a note of fear". Her laugh after Stanley asked her to confirm if she had ever been to the Flamingo was nervous as well as her tone conveyed fear implying that she was lying to Stanley. After Stanley turns his back and leaves, "Blanche closes her eyes as if faint". This part demonstrates that relief she feels as she has not been caught and her secrets have not been revealed. The narrations are the ones that illustrate her as a liar while she herself contrasts them with her words. Therefore, Blanche instead of innocent is also presented as a character with many secrets, trying to persuade people that she is a wealthy, beautiful woman who is not guilty of anything. Later on, she admits to her sister that she afraid and scared of getting older, which is the natural evolution of all human beings. She states "I'm scared now -awf'ly scared. I don't know for how much longer i can turn the trick". She implies that in order to get attention and protection of men "you've got to be soft and attractive". This is the primary reason for not going out with Mitch under the daylight or for preferring the light turned off. She criticizes herself for being unable to support herself and labels herself as "soft," adding that she must rely on Chinese lanterns and light colors to "shimmer and glow." She then admits that she is no longer young or beautiful enough to glow in the soft light. In her opinion she is "fading now!" as she is in her thirties and men will not be seduced by her anymore declaring that other people's opinion about her are very important in her own mind. Tennessee, in this scene, introduces her as someone who is sensitive of her age and someone who is afraid to come of age. Furthermore, he emphasizes her desire of being young again through the repetition of the word “young” when she is having a conversation with the young man. Blanche approaches the young man and flirts with him, offering him a drink and attempting to entice him by referring to him as a young Arabian prince. She then “blows a kiss to him as he goes” and “she stands there a bit dreamily after he has disappeared.” This expresses the idea that Blanche thinks of being in a fantasy or fairy-tail land where prince charming exist. A few minutes later Mitch appears and she refers to him as “My Rosenkavalier” meaning “knight of roses” in German - Mitch is bringing her roses. She is utilizing some very poetic language which contradicts with her previous actions. Ultimately, this illustrates her as manipulative and as someone who needs self-reassurance to cover her insecurities.
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