"Streetcar named Desire" by Tennessee Williams

The first scene I am looking at is Scene nine, in which Mitch confronts Blanche about the lies she has been telling him regarding her past. It is clear that it was Blanche's choice to tell the lies, so in that respect the following problems are her own fault. However, Williams may have aimed to look closely at Blanche's character to see why she lied, and by justifying herself, she appears a tragic self absorbed failure, not a cynical manipulator. Blanche is described as having a 'tense , hunched position', which shows her obvious unease, and worry. She is dressed in 'scarlet', a provocative colour, but also symbolic of danger. Blanche is becoming lost in her memories, as she hears the 'Varsouviana' in her head as she drinks. William's tries to justify Blanche's alcoholism, 'she is drinking to escape it, [the past], and the sense of disaster'.…