The Tragic Streetcar Named Blanche
The Tragic Streetcar Named Blanche
A tragic protagonist is the main character that is beset with certain conflicts that lead to their downfall. Blanche Dubois fits the mold of a tragic protagonist because of her self destructive traits and her volatile environment. The combination of the external and internal conflicts left Blanche with no chance for sanity and relief. Blache became a shattered product of her dangerously erratic habits and environment.
Blanches external conflicts had an exceedingly detrimental effect on Blanche. The first conflict begins with Blanche not being able to forgive Stella for leaving Belle Reve. Then Blanche being forced to face Stanley about the loss of Belle Reve. ”Where’s the papers? In the trunk?”(Stanley p.41) This quote shows Stanley’s directness about finding out the truth behind Belle Reve. The external conflicts continue with Stanley when he rapes Blanche, and Blanche can not be cheerful in the environment her sister lives in. Blanche has a very hard time with bright light as it shows her age. “I can’t stand a naked light bulb, anymore than I can a rude remark or vulgar action.”(Blanche p.60) Blanche is a victim of her external conflicts because she had no control over Stanley rapping her or Stella always taking Stanley’s side.
Blanches internal conflicts are the main root of conflicts she deals with. One of her internal conflicts is alcoholism. Blanche drinks for forget the grief of her husband's suicide. The largest conflict for Blanche is her lack of youth. That is why Blanche can not stand bright light. It is because she struggles with the fact that she is not young anymore, and feels that she is at the end of her attraction. The final recurring internal conflict is the constant reminder of the suicide of her one true love. Blanche is always in her own fantasy world, and that leads to her downfall. She does not look at the reality of things. “ I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don't tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth.”(Blanche p.145) She puts on a masquerade for boys, she gives off a very particular impression when flirting, and believes bathes do something