A Streetcar Named Desire-A Tragic Hero - 1422 Words

There are nine types of heroes in this world, each of them with their own unique stories, plots, cliches etc. Among those is the classic tragic hero, one who is destined to fail no matter what. In a Streetcar Named Desire, the tragic hero is Blanche Dubois, an aging Southern Belle living in a state of perpetual panic about her fading beauty. In this essay it will be discussed what makes Blanche a tragic hero and how she compares to a typical tragic hero. A typical tragic hero is first and foremost, born of noble stature. This gives the hero something to fall from, so they can fall from grace (Avril Lavigne, Nobodys Home). Blanche Dubois born in Laurel, Mississippi, to a wealthy family. She is a former schoolteacher who had been†¦show more content†¦A typical tragic hero is first and foremost, born of noble stature. This gives the hero something to fall from, so they can fall from grace (Avril Lavigne, Nobodys Home). Blanche Dubois born in Laurel, Mississippi, to a wealthy family. She is a former schoolteacher who had been evicted from Belle Reve (a family home) after being declared a woman of loose morals. This was because years earlier, Blanches husband committed suicide after she expressed her distaste on his sexuality. She later had many affairs trying to numb her grief on the death of her husband. The second condition for a tragic hero is what is called Hamartia, a tragic flaw that causes the downfall of the hero. Blanches tragic flaw is that she is dependant on men, so much so that she makes choices and does things that are morally questionable. She manipulates and lies to potential suitors to make herself seem more attractive and younger-which in her mind is the only way a man will love her. She does this with Harold Mitch Mitchell and it seems to be working until Mitch is informed of all the lies hes been fed, at which point Mitch breaks up with Blanche and leaves her vulnerable for Stanley to rape. The reversal of fortune, peripeteia, is when the fortunate hero is down on his luck. In Blanches case, she loses Belle Reve, her husband is a homosexual and dead, she is evictedShow MoreRelatedBlanche Dubois As A Tragic Hero In A Streetcar Named Desire1570 Words   |  7 Pageshe or she is responsible; then, through the downfall of the hero and the resolution of the conflicts resulting from the hero’s tragic flaw, the tragedy achieves a purging of the audience’s emotions† (Masterpieces of World Literature). Tragic plays have one or more tragic heroes within them; A Streetcar Named Desire is no exception. According to Dr. Hebert, a tragic hero must meet the following criteria: they â€Å"must be Noble, have a tragic flaw such as hubris, they go through a sequence of fall, sufferingRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire : A Tragic Desire969 Words   |  4 PagesA tragic hero in literature is a type of character who has fallen from grace, where the downfall suggests fe elings of misfortune and distress among the audience. The tragic flaw of the hero leads to their demise or downfall that in turn brings a tragic end. Aristotle defines a tragic hero as â€Å"a person who must evoke a sense of pity and fear in the audience. He is considered a man of misfortune that comes to him through error of judgment.† The characteristics of a tragic hero described by AristotleRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire By Tennessee Williams1054 Words   |  5 PagesJamie Razo Mr. Baker Period 7 22 September 2017 Tragic Downfalls In the play and book called â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire†, there are numerous amounts of tragic events that not only affected the person in the event, but others around them as well. A tragedy, or tragic event, is known to bring chaos, destruction, distress, and even discomfort such as a natural disaster or a serious accident. A tragedy in a story can also highlight the downfall of the main character, or sometimes one of the more importantRead More Tragic Comedy of Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire1350 Words   |  6 PagesA Streetcar Named Desire as Tragic Comedy      Ã‚   Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire is considered by many critics to be a â€Å"flawed† masterpiece. This is because William’s work utilizes and wonderfully blends both tragic and comic elements that serve to shroud the true nature of the hero and heroine, thereby not allowing the reader to judge them on solid actuality. Hence, Williams has been compared to writers such as Shakespeare who, in literature, have created a sense of ambiguity andRead MoreTo What Extent Does Williams Present Desire as a Tragic Flaw in Scene Six of ‘a Streetcar Named Desire’1632 Words   |  7 PagesTo what extent does Williams present desire as a tragic flaw in scene six of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ In A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche’s flaws that lead to her downfall are abundant. If we are to view Blanche Dubois as a tragic heroine, then it is in scene six that her tragic flaws are especially evident, and in particular desire. They are so prevalent here as it is arguably the beginning of Blanche’s demise and as in Shakespearean tragedy; it is in the centre of the play that we seeRead MoreTragic Heroes Throughout A Streetcar Named Desire And The Great Gatsby1961 Words   |  8 PagesJay Gatsby are portrayed as tragic heroes throughout A Streetcar Named Desire and The Great Gatsby. In tragic novels and plays protagonists are often dealing with a conflict that they will ultimately lose in some way. The protagonist is often trying to right a wrong that leads to the world returning to the way it was before the conflict. Blanche wants to return to the old south when she was a young girl and Gatsby to when he first met Daisy during the war. A tragic hero would have traditionally beenRead MoreIs the Play a Streetcar Named Desire a Tragedy for Blanche or Stella?1665 Words   |  7 PagesIs the play â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire† a tragedy for Blanche or Stella? Aristotle stated â€Å"the structure of the best tragedy should†¦be†¦ complex† representing† incidents arousing pity and fear â€Å". It’s understood that the focus of tragedy is human suffering and a tragedy must be accessible to audiences, creating a shared catharsis. Although Aristotle refers to classical tragedies, a domestic tragedy like â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire† ensures a greater understanding as it is realistic. Blanche, as theRead MoreCompare And Contrast A Streetcar Named Desire And Death Of A Salesman1209 Words   |  5 PagesWhen she arrives on her sister’s doorstep, the tragic hero of Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche DuBois, is blatantly out of place. However, with no where else to go, the former aristocrat arrives at the home of Stella and her husband Stanley in downtown New Orleans. Once there, Blanche seeks refuge from reality through the acceptance of men. However, Stanley, sees through Blanch e’s compulsive lies and investigates her suspicions past. After being confronted and sexually abused Blache’sRead MoreStreetcar To Desire Character Analysis848 Words   |  4 PagesIn the play The Streetcar to Desire there are many tragic moments they are events that causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe. The book takes place in a New Orleans during the 1940’s. Blanche is wanting to visit her sister for a little while but she realizes that she lives in crappy old apartment. She decided to stay with them and throughout her stay there were many tragic events that happened. The main tragic events in the playRead MoreAntigone by Sophocles and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams1121 Words   |  5 Pagescause ourselves†. When people guide themselves or others to their downfall it is one of the most powerful control of fates. This can be proven in the literature works of Antigon e by Sophocles and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Where the characters are tragic heroes and what makes them tragic heroes is that they accept defeat for their beliefs. Antigone is a tragedy with the opposition of state laws and religious laws. The main protagonist is King Creon ruler of Thebes, who has recently