6.2.1

Feminist Approach

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Feminist Criticism: Positive Interpretations of Blanche

Feminist criticism focuses on how a work of literature either challenges or supports the idea that the world is a male-dominated place, referred to as the patriarchy.

Proto-feminist values

Proto-feminist values

You could interpret Blanche as a champion of proto-feminist values. On the surface, she is assured, confident, educated and aware of her own sexuality.
She strives to not be repressed by the male world and to operate as if she was as powerful as a man.
Blanche does not let her age or social stature allow her to be repressed.

Blanche's downfall

Blanche's downfall

Feminist literary criticism may argue that Blanche’s downfall is not caused by her own personality or flaws but by a repressive patriarchal society that sees her run out of Laurel and experience similar treatment in New Orleans.
At the end of the play, the patriarchal order regains control.

Commending Williams

Commending Williams

Feminist literary criticism may commend Williams for facilitating the presentation of an older, single woman on stage, and dealing openly with her sexual history and sexual frustrations and needs.

Feminist Approach: Negative Portrayals of Women

Feminist criticism focuses on how a work of literature either challenges or supports the idea that the world is a male-dominated place, referred to as the patriarchy.

Stella

Stella

Stella may be seen by feminist literary critics as a character who endorses the patriarchal world and is unable to break free of it.
- For example, she does not leave Stanley when he hits her and does not believe that Stanley raped Blanche.

The Nurse/Matron

The Nurse/Matron

Even the Nurse/Matron is complicit with the system and destroys Blanche’s personality and femininity when she prepares her for sectioning.

Blanche's incarceration

Blanche's incarceration

To some extent, Blanche’s incarceration takes her away from the patriarchal world of Stanley and the men she relies on. But it is a man - the Doctor - who takes her away.

Negative interpretation of Blanche

Negative interpretation of Blanche

Some feminist literary critics may argue that throughout her life, Blanche too readily tries to please and satisfy the demands of men.
You could argue that her fate is actually brought upon herself.
Critics who hold this opinion may argue that the balance in power in gender relations sought by Eunice and Stella is a better way of operating.

1

Context & Overview

1.1

The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams

1.2

Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context 1.2.2Social Issues 1.2.3Setting

1.3

Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre 1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy 1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy

2

Scene Summaries

2.1

Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary 2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.2

Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.3

Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4

Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.5

Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.6

Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary

2.7

Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8

Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.9

Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.10

Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11

Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven

3

Character Profiles

3.1

Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions 3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown 3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley 3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley

3.2

Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski 3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.3

Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters 3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others

4

Key Ideas

4.1

Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire 4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender

4.2

Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances 4.2.2Fantasy & Reality 4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design 5.1.2Linking Devices 5.1.3Recurring Motifs

5.2

Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre 5.2.2Form & Language 5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6

Critical Debates

6.1

Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity 6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews

6.2

Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach 6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach 6.2.3Marxist Approach 6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates

7

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain 7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language

8

Recap: Main Quotes

8.1

Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations 8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations 8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations 8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations 8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations 8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations 8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations 8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations 8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations 8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations 8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

Jump to other topics

1

Context & Overview

1.1

The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams

1.2

Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context 1.2.2Social Issues 1.2.3Setting

1.3

Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre 1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy 1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy

2

Scene Summaries

2.1

Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary 2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.2

Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.3

Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4

Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.5

Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.6

Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary

2.7

Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8

Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.9

Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.10

Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11

Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas 2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven

3

Character Profiles

3.1

Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions 3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown 3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley 3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley

3.2

Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski 3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.3

Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters 3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others

4

Key Ideas

4.1

Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire 4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender

4.2

Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances 4.2.2Fantasy & Reality 4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design 5.1.2Linking Devices 5.1.3Recurring Motifs

5.2

Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre 5.2.2Form & Language 5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6

Critical Debates

6.1

Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity 6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews

6.2

Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach 6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach 6.2.3Marxist Approach 6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates

7

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain 7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language

8

Recap: Main Quotes

8.1

Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations 8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations 8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations 8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations 8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations 8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations 8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations 8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations 8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations 8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations 8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

Practice questions on Feminist Approach

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
What may feminist literary criticism blame for Blanche's downfall?Multiple choice
2
Why might some feminist critics see Stella as endorsing the patriarchal world?Fill in the list
3
What takes Blanche away from the patriarchal world that she meets Stanley in?Multiple choice
4
Who takes Blanche away from the patriarchal world of Stanley etc.?Multiple choice
5
How might Blanche be viewed as a champion of proto-feminist values?Multiple choice

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Contemporary & Modern Reviews

Psychoanalytic Approach