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Self-Destruction of Blanche: Failure of Ego’s Mediation between ID and Superego in A Streetcar Named Desire

Author(s)

Xiuqin Huang

Affiliation(s)

Department of Foreign Languages, Software Engineering Institute of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Abstract

This paper is to explore the psychological turmoil of Blanche DuBois, a central character in A Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams. The breakdown of Blanche's psychological state is analyzed from the perspective of Sigmund Freud's tripartite model of the psyche, specifically focusing on Blanche's failure of ego’s mediation between id and superego. By a critical analysis of the text, the research method involves a close reading of the play, examining Blanche's interactions with other characters, particularly her husband, Stanley and Mitch, to reveal her internal struggle to uncover how Blanche's ego fails to balance these conflicting forces, leading herself into madness, which is a direct result of her ego's failure to mediate effectively. The significance of Blanche's inability to reconcile her desires with societal expectations is emphasized, culminating in her psychological collapse. When meeting failure, Blanche suffers from neurosis, which is a way to protect herself from destroying thoroughly by her defense mechanism. This study offers a way to understand the human psyche and the impact of societal pressures on individual mental health when getting deeper insight into the complexities of Blanche's character and the universal struggle between primal instincts and moral restraints.

Keywords

Tennessee Williams; ID; Ego; Superego; A Streetcar Named Desire

References

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