ipl-logo

A Streetcar Named Desire Manipulation Essay

1390 Words6 Pages

Manipulation can be used in both positive and negative ways. One example of manipulation being used would be when people are forming their identities. Individuals can make themselves appear a certain way to others. A Streetcar Named Desire explores the topic of identity, especially through a character named Blanche DuBois. As she continues to live with her sister, Stella, and brother-in-law, Stanley, Blanche’s identity becomes warped when she cannot manipulate people’s perceptions of her. Through A Streetcar Named Desire and “A Daily
Joy to Be Alive,” it becomes evident that appearances and a dependence on others for something can have a large influence on how identity can be shaped by an individual and how greatly it has an effect on identity. …show more content…

Identity is controlled by the wants and needs of an individual so they can be seen in a particular way by themselves or others.
The extent to which people can shape their own identities is greatly debated. Some say that people do not have the ability to do so. People can try to do so, but it may fail. For example, in A Streetcar Named Desire, Mitch says, “I don’t mind you being older than what I thought. But all the rest of it-Christ!...Oh, I knew you weren’t sixteen any more. But I was fool enough to believe you were straight” (Scene 9, Page 145). At first, Mitch falls for her facade.
She had successfully portrayed herself in a light she had wanted to be seen in. As time goes on,
Mitch discovers her secret, meaning that she is now seen in a different light than previously.
Blanche had tried to change her identity, but it failed. People may say that this greatly shows how individuals cannot shape their own identities, as people will always have a perception of you that is different from your own. Although partly true, an individual’s sense of their own identity will remain unchanged to them, as they still have control of how they view themselves, or at the very least, how anyone else could view them, Even after Mitch discovers …show more content…

She even says, “I think of myself as a very, very rich woman! But I have been foolish-casting my pearls before swine!” (Scene 10, Page 156). Keeping up this part of her story and identity for herself and for others allows her to control her identity, even after knowing that someone knows the truth. It does not matter what other people think, someone’s identity will be significant and true to themselves as long as they stay consisten with it. Identity can be influenced by others, but it is ultimately controlled by one person, allowing it to be shaped and molded however they choose.

Identities can be very malleable. They are shaped to fit the goals of one person, but can be influenced by others if one allows them to have significant influence. There are many factors that can go into how identity can be shaped, such as appearance and dependence. These personal factors will be different for everyone, but will ultimately allow identity to be formed around these ideals. Identity can be greatly shaped by the individual by determination and perseverance.
Works Cited
Baca, Jimmy Santiago. “A Daily Joy to Be Alive.
”
Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New Directions,

Show More
Related

A Daily Joy To Be Alive By Jimmy Santiago Baca

750 Words | 3 Pages

The play’s tragic protagonist Blanche DuBois is a prime example of how a broken mental state can prohibit an individual’s ability to shape their own identity. Blanche’s past was filled with

Read More

Response To 'Monster' By Walter Dean Myers

971 Words | 4 Pages

Identity is what makes us who we are. But no one else teaches us anything about the factors that make identity. When Steve is in jail and doing chores he had this new thought “Then I realized that the five guys doing the mopping must have all looked alike and I suddenly felt as if I couldn't breathe.” (pg.129)

Read More

Farewell To Manzanar By Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

1422 Words | 6 Pages

Identity is usually thought of as an individual characteristic. It pertains to ones self image, self-esteem, personal qualities, and behaviors. The “self” is an integration of where one comes from, where one lives, what one does, who or what one associates with, and one’s self-perception. However, it’s easy to underestimate the relationship that identity has with the perspective of others. Others opinions can have profound effects on people and their lives.

Read More

Gaping, Gaping Staring By Eli Clare Analysis

792 Words | 4 Pages

Every type of person struggles with a thing we call, identity. Personal identity come from multiple factors from our race to our own personal beliefs. Some people say we have the choice to choose our own identity, but is that always true? No, in fact other people can affect how we look and essentially identity our self’s. In the article called.

Read More

Curiosity In Ayn Rand's Anthem

839 Words | 4 Pages

With his newly found self-identity, he learns that he is his own person that lives for himself, and not for a group of people. In brief, someone’s self-identity is realized with the drive of their

Read More

Deception In A Streetcar Named Desire Essay

1065 Words | 5 Pages

Blanche’s final, deluded happiness suggests that, to some extent, fantasy is a vital force in every individual’s experience, despite reality’s inevitable triumph. This refers to her reality of how Mitch had came over to apologize to her, and she tells Stanley that she turned him down. This lie backfired, since Stanley knew exactly where Mitch was at this time. As well as Stanley saw through Blanches delusion of how she has received a wire, from Shep Huntleigh, inviting her to go with him down to the Caribbean cruise, in which Stanley later shuts down as

Read More

Identity In Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

1832 Words | 8 Pages

For years psychologists have questioned what makes a person who they become. They debate and analyze the question of identity. Some believe nurture forms an identity, while others believe nature is to blame. The only agreement on the topic of identity throughout the psychology community is what identity truly means. An identity consists of tiny fragments or aspects of a person put together to form their true self.

Read More

Identity In Gretel Ehrlich's Looking For A Lost Dog

1036 Words | 5 Pages

The environment in which an individual grows up in can affect life greatly. Our surroundings influence one’s personality, self-expression, and individuality, otherwise known as identity. Finding one’s true self is the most grueling stage of life and expectations of family and society make the process even harder. One’s true identity can sometimes clash with hopes of others, thus breaking tradition and/or family ties. Pressure to change will always be present, but staying true to uniqueness will prevail.

Read More

Identity In A Lesson Before Dying

1276 Words | 6 Pages

People always suggest others to be themselves. To not care about what others have to say about you. People try to ignore society 's opinion about them, not realizing the importance it plays in identity. For a person to feel identified, they must have similarities or differences, and some type of involvement. Identity involves a combination of how you see yourself and how others see you.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Identity Analysis

670 Words | 3 Pages

One's identity is fluid and constantly changing according to events one experiences. It is difficult to define who one is. This is why it is tempting to equate one's identity with their background In "To Kill A Mockingbird," Harper Lee uses two different characters to show that those who attempt to live unconstrained by convention or circumstance are viewed with fear by others. In the small town of Maycomb, people are defined by the circumstance and family they are born in.

Read More

The Color Of Water Identity Analysis

402 Words | 2 Pages

The definition of someone’s identity is the distinct personality of an individual. There are a lot of factors that determines someone’s identity. Things such as your race, role in society, and your faith. Throughout our lives, we seek out people who we can identify with. We reach out to others and learn from interests they have and we evaluate their responses to us.

Read More

Lord Of The Flies Identity Analysis

1092 Words | 5 Pages

Identity is something people tend to think of as consistent, however that is far from the case. The Oxford English dictionary states that the definition of identity is “ The characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is.” The allegorical novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding tackles the issue of identity while following young boys from the ages twelve and down as they struggle with remembering their identities when trapped on a deserted island. Identity is affected by the influence of society and how individuals influence society based on their identities. By looking at Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the Stanford Prison Experiment, and Sigmund Freud 's philosophical ideas, it becomes clear that identity is affected by society through peer pressure and social normalities.

Read More

Identities Wd Valgardson Summary

579 Words | 3 Pages

The identity a person holds is one of the most important aspects of their lives. Identity is what distinguishes people from others, although it leaves a negative stereotype upon people. In the short story Identities by W.D Valgardson, a middle-aged wealthy man finds himself lost in a rough neighborhood while attempting to look for something new. The author employs many elements in the story, some of the more important ones being stereotype and foreshadow. For many people, their personal identity is stereotyped by society.

Read More

A Streetcar Named Desire Past And Present Analysis

1547 Words | 7 Pages

Blanche’s personality makes her live in the past acting as a “southern belle” and believing millionaire Shep Huntleigh will marry her unfortunately for Blanche living in the past meant she ended up in a state institution. Stella is a good example of past and present intertwined as he past was living in Belle Reive a plantation as a “southern belle” and now her present is in New Orleans and married to a husband who abusive. The character of Mitch a hard worker whom looks after his ill mother seems to the reader as a decent person with past and present intertwined personality he is respectful at the start to win Blanche

Read More

Self Identity Essay

885 Words | 4 Pages

As I mature, my perspective of life and what it is to be a unique individual is ever changing. I believe that an individual’s environmental and surrounding contributes to their identity greatly. The culture in which one grows up in is a element that shapes one’s beliefs. When I was younger, my friends aided to shape my identity. My peers had a great influence on how I defined myself in early childhood because I deeply valued and cared about what others thought of me.

Read More

More about A Streetcar Named Desire Manipulation Essay

Related Topics

Open Document