Feminist Approach

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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.

1Context & Overview

1.1The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams

1.2Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context

1.2.2Social Issues

1.2.3Setting

1.3Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre

1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy

1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy

2Scene Summaries

2.1Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary

2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.2Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.3Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.5Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.6Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary

2.7Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.9Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.10Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven

3Character Profiles

3.1Blanche 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

3.2Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski

3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.3Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others

4Key Ideas

4.1Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire

4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender

4.2Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances

4.2.2Fantasy & Reality

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

5Writing Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design

5.1.2Linking Devices

5.1.3Recurring Motifs

5.2Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre

5.2.2Form & Language

5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6Critical Debates

6.1Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity

6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews

6.2Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach

6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach

6.2.3Marxist Approach

6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates

7Ideas About Tragedy

7.1Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain

7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language

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