Monday, 18 January 2016

Paragraph on the theme of 'betrayal'...

“Everyone betrays, and everyone is betrayed.” In light of this comment, discuss the presentation of the theme of betrayal in the play.


Betrayal is made apparent through a loss of faith and disappointment in the play. It is a recurring theme and is perhaps most perfectly illustrated in Scene Nine, when Blanche is told by her suitor that she is “not clean enough” to present to his mother. Being told that she is not worth marrying is one of the worst things a woman can hear, especially in 1940’s America, a time when society was largely centred around the family. Williams also introduces a humiliating irony when this sly phrase is said because Blanche is trying so hard to wash herself clean of her past throughout the play (as demonstrated by her constant bathing). Therefore, by Mitch reminding Blanche of her past mistakes which made her figuratively filthy, he has forsaken her.  This is emphasised by Williams’ use of the adjective “clean” which almost has a mocking tone to it. This betrayal of the protagonist by a person who is supposed to accept her, who she hopes to marry in the near future, evokes sympathy in the audience towards the character of Blanche during the rising action. In some ways Williams uses this scene to foreshadow the tragic fall of Blanche at the end of “A Streetcar Named Desire”. 

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