Examples Of Escapism In A Streetcar

Reality is often a disappointment. Devastation and desperation from a traumatic experience will cause a person to lose grip on reality, and once it slips through their fingers, they become aroused by delusion. Over-reliance on fantasy occurs when a person is only comfortable within the confines of their deluded reality. Dissociation can stunt psychological growth and development, potentially interfering with mental health and affecting close relationships. Consequently, this alienation makes forming a boundary between reality and fantasy challenging. People engage in fantasy to distract themselves from the unpleasantries of reality-often times with the purposeful intent to dissociate. This phenomenon is escapism. The stage play, A Streetcar

Blanche suffered her husband's suicide, losing her family's property and her job as a school teacher. When she could not face her harsh reality, she turned to fiction and lived in her idealized world in search of what she craved: stability and love. To escape from the real world, she warped the exterior world to fit her delusion. Overall, Blanche's character arc represents the play's overarching theme of escapism. In her younger years, Blanche married a young man who provided her with the only two things she valued: stability and love. However, after catching him sleeping with another man, her self-worth dwindled into nothing. She wanted to believe he still loved her; however, Blanche snapped when he unexpectedly shot himself. Blanche was disgusted by his homosexuality, so her husband took his life. Blanche struggled with her self-worth, feeling abandoned and believing she was at fault." It was because--on the

However, the hypocrisy in her actions speaks louder than her words. Blanche brags about the many rich men she used to date and flaunts her fancy jewels and pearls, but she has no money. There were no rich ex-lovers at all. Later, when interrogated by her sister's husband, Stanley, she reveals her shadiness regarding the situation she put herself in, "If I didn't know that you was my wife's sister I'd get ideas about you! BLANCHE: Such as what! STANLEY: Don't play so dumb. You know what! BLANCHE: I know I fib a good deal. After all, a woman's charm is fifty percent illusion…" (Scene 2) It becomes a common occurrence for Blanche to act defensive whenever her statements contradict. Her demeanor changes depending on who she talks to and the subject of the conversation. Blanche needs the spotlight to be on her at all times while being easily swayed by just one glance from a man. The romanticization of marriage is why she is vulnerable in the presence of a man, as seen in her relationship with Mitch. Blanche's character arc supports the theory that she has Histrionic Personality Disorder. It's common for people with Histrionic Personality Disorder to be delusional and highly susceptible. She holds onto her claims with an iron grip, never admitting defeat if proved wrong. The "millionaire from Dallas," Shep Huntleigh, is a prime example of Blanche's delusion. He is a man of very high status,