In the play, what causes Blanche’s mental fragility and how does she struggle with mental illness throughout Streetcar?

Tennessee Williams’ biography reveals a family history deeply affected by mental illness. In the play, what causes Blanche’s mental fragility and how does she struggle with mental illness throughout Streetcar? How does Williams capture these mental struggles for his audience? How is she treated by other characters when she’s failing to “cope”? How were Americans suffering from mental illness in the 1940s/50s typically treated? What do you THINK Williams was trying to show his contemporary audiences about mental illness?

Be sure to use specific quotes, descriptions, characters, literary devices, and events from the play to support your thesis. Visit DCCC’s databases to locate articles about the play, the historical moment, and/or gender studies that support your viewpoint AND include at least ONE paragraph about how you FEEL about the play’s portrayal of mental illness. Connect it to your own life experiences and/or observations.

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