Blog Post #3 Topic #3

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines insanity as a “severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder”. In the text, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the audience follows the protagonist, Blanche DuBois, as she moves in with her sister and her husband; and struggles to adapt to their socioeconomic differences. The author defines Blanche as someone who becomes insane through persistent pressure from society. Blanche was held to the account of femininity and was oppressed through patriarchal ideologies, hence her failure to escape drove her to insanity.

Blanche compensated her husband’s death by possessing more feminine qualities. Blanche put a great amount of effort to always make sure that her makeup and outfit were the best they could be when there are guests over the house, and would refuse to expose herself otherwise. She feels the need to present herself as ladylike because she assumes that her lack of femininity in the past played a role in her husband revealing to her that he was a homosexual. Not only does she struggle with her self-esteem as a woman, but occupying herself with pampering activities relieves her mind from the guilt that she feels towards her participation in her husband’s suicide. Yet her constant need to make herself look presentable added to her insanity since her individuality stemmed from participating in these activities and her identity would be lost without her looks. Due to her privileged background, she has no skill or financial aspect that would support her survival within society. Which is why she tries to impress others for help.

Blanche heavily relied on men for her well-being. After her husband’s demise, she decided to consecutively have guests over and sleep with them to cope with her traumatic experience. This projects her vulnerability and need of others, even if they are strangers. Ultimately, she needs someone to take care of her which is why she moved to New Orleans with her sister Stella. Williams later highlights a romantic relationship with her brother-in law’s friend, Mitch. Blanche puts on a womanly act for Mitch in the hope that she would be proper enough from him to marry. But the rumor about her sleeping with other men disgusted Mitch, and he refused to marry someone with a promiscuous background. This event became a clear turning point of Blanche’s insanity. Mitch’s rejection caused her to become hopeless and desperate. As someone who lived and accepted the patriarchal structure of society, she is unaware on how to use her newly found independence; hence driving her to madness.

Because of her history with social structures of femininity and patriarchy, Blanche fails to connect her expectations with reality. Thus, her frustration leads her to act out and surrender to her own madness. Her response to the world was rational because of the imposed norms that she was expected to follow. Most of these norms are still present to modern society, especially when it comes to gender roles. Although they are not as enforced, women are still given the stereotype of being helpless and in need of a masculine man to save them. A Streetcar Named Desire is a representation of how society has changed or remained the same over the years when it comes to women empowerment and equality.