This is one of those films where there's a severe shortage of likable characters yet the film still works. Eveyone in it is flawed and it's easy to accept that.
At first Blanche was just straight up annoying and obnoxious as her family estate was gone, so her social snobbery towards the Kowalskis looked out of place since they were sheltering her in their house. Then you gradually get these hints that she's in great psychological turmoil. Most of the things that come out of her mouth are her fantasies that she's rapidly succumbing to and it's becoming increasingly difficult for her to return to reality. However, her core backstory is that her husband committed suicide due to his homosexuality and she was devastated, possibly from guilt. After he died she started indulging in illicit sexual dalliances. I'm not sure whether that was to pay off the loans for Belle Reve or maybe because she wanted to feel youthful and wanted. That was a big thing for Blanche. It was highlighted that she loved being complimented on her appearance and wanting to appear younger than she was. She depended on male sexual admiration for her self esteem. But the more her psychological state deteriorated my annoyance with her lessoned. It was replaced with understanding and empathy. The last scene was very upsetting.
Blanche is seen as a fallen woman in society's eyes with her promiscuity and declining social class. It's very easy to see why a fantasy world would be a better place for her to live. So when she goes to live with her sister in New Orleans it could be a new beginning for her, a way to escape the poverty. Kind of symbolising the decline of the old South and the popularity of metropolitan cities after the war. When she gets to New Orleans she gives herself all the things she lost along with Belle Reve. She allows herself to be seen as a chaste woman again fixing her reputation and regains some of her social snobbery. Unfortunately for her, the past didn't stay hidden for too long and it all came crashing down just like her delicate mental state.
Stanley was very handsome and it was easy to see why someone would fancy him. His arguments with Blanche were some of the highlights of the film. Their desires and ideals were always clashing. But he was a vile man. An abusive, misogynistic husband and eventual rapist. So not here for that so he can catch these hands.
I think some of Stanley's hatred for Blanche stems from her aristocratic past and social hierarchy. He doesn't like to see himself as being inferior to anyone and in his own words sees himself as a "social leveller." He represents the new America that Blanche just can't make herself fit into.
Stanley shows no remorse after raping Blanche and even admits her into an asylum. Even with his brutish and criminal ways he manages to get away with looking like a family man who loves his wife and kid. It questions society's flawed decision to treat Blanche as a phariah while men like that are heralded.
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