B1- Blanche: Key characteristics

Question 1

I) Fancy

Tell me about: The Southern Belle & Aristocracy

Answer 1

• BDB & Stella both from Old South with an aristocratic heritage
• Both cultured in manner
• The way BDB speaks and her references to literature reflects this aristocracy

Question 2

II) Fancy

W.J Cash quote

Answer 2

‘The Mind of the South’
- Old South’s ideal woman was “morally pure and innocent”
- Something that BDB struggled with and felt she needed to portray to be accepted.

Question 3

Manipulative Bastard

Tell me about Blanche as: Manipulative & A Pathological Liar

Answer 3

• Labelled as manipulative
• As she constantly bends the truth to fit her stories.
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• Openly admits to Stella that she wants to decieve Mitch into desiring her.
• When caught she claims that it’s “part of womanhood” and believes that
• The lies help her confidence
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• Stella is belittled and manipulaated by BDB, mainly for attention.

Question 4

Insecurities go brrrr

Tell me about Blanche as: Insecure and Sensitive

Answer 4

• Very aware and insecure about her ageing.
• Shies away from bright light
• Fishes for compliments and attention
• Often ‘fixes’ her appearance.

Question 5

Lonesome

Tell me about Blanche being: Lonely

Answer 5

• Veeeeeery lonely
• eg to Stella “You’re all I’ve got in the world” + cries out to Stella that she cannot be on her own (Scene 1)
• Even her relatioship with Mitch is built on their mutual loneliness as Mitch points out while comforting her.

Question 6

Flirty & Seductive

Tell me about Blanche being: Flirtatious and seductive

Answer 6

As a result of her insecurities we see BDB fish for complements very often.
- Also flirts with Stanley (Backfires horribly though)
- Often seen talking about bathing, which implies images of nudity.
- Seen ‘half-dressed’ through curtains
- AND changes in the light ensure that her silhouette of her body is visible to Mitch. CONTROLLING LIGHT AAA
- Kiss with newspaper boy: Desire to be young again (+ in old society)

Question 7

Delulu

Tell me about Blanche being: Delusional

Answer 7

Blanche is delusional (duh)
- Stuck in traumatic past with Polka and gunshots
- States that she doesn’t want realism, only “magic”
- Speakes to herself often
- Even on her date with Mitch, she pretends that they were in France
These showcase how she can switch into her fantasy world with ease. Her delusions and illusions mirror her desires and fantasies and help her escape her past.