Williams explores the idea of torture through the text via the tension that he builds through climax of the text for example when we are continuously fed information about the characters, such as Blanche.
Blanche faces alcoholism, faded beauty, and lost status; she tries to cover up past both as a teacher and in her marriage, all while desperately trying to keep up the appearance and her own delusion that she’s still attractive to men. This shows a tortured soul where she is constantly lying to herself and attempting to convince herself that she still lives in her youth and beauty but is constantly reminded that she is no longer a youthful, beautiful girl anymore, this connotes depression and self concision. This mentally tortures Blanche.
The same is to say for Stanley. He also suffers with alcoholism as well as gambling problems and a very short temper. This shows elements of torture because after infesting his body with alcohol, Stanley's mind is in a poor state and he is blind from knowing what is acceptable and therefore isn't in control of his body therefore says some things he doesn't mean. However his temper isn't because of the alcohol all the time, but is because of his tortured mind.
Stella seems to me personally, as the character that is most tortured in the play, not because she is personally effected by her own choices like Blanch and Stanley, but is tortured by both characters while trying to juggle the two of them and calm the scene however is always effected because they fight over her for example Stanley's alcoholism and gambling problems led him to beat Stella during a game of poker where Stella felt very vulnerable and upset due to this. Also Blanche caused torture upon Stella in a slightly sneakier way. This is because she acts like she wants to be around Stella because she is tortured herself after the loss of the plantation however is causing Stella to be sad because she wants to be there for Blanche however with Blanche's selfish acts she feels again vulnerable and very controlled by how Blanche is feeling.
You have made some excellent points based on your knowledge thus far.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see why you think Stella is the most tortured character in the play. Do you think that Stella is at the root of the play. For example she left Blanche to deal with Belle Reve on her own- which may have lead to Blanche's unstable behavior.
Stanley is a sexual predator and his domestic abuse could be due to Stella (not always evident in the text).