Abstract

Tennessee Williams is a master playwright of the twentieth century in America. Since his masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire was premiered, it has gotten unanimously attraction from scholars to audience, as well as the controversial analysis of its theme from cultural clashes and feminist perspective. Different from the traditional view, this paper will provide an understanding based on a topic by illustrating Blanche’s identity as a doppelganger of homosexuality, which will attempt to enrich the social significance of the right attitude towards vulnerable groups from Blanche’s tragedy in an era of uproar against homosexuality.

Keywords：Blanche； homosexuality； degradation； tragedy； attitude

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Research Situation-2

2. Blanche as an Invisible Doppelganger-5

2.1 The Manifestation of Blanche as a Doppelganger in Her Lines-5

2.1.1 Blanche’s Opinion of Stanley-5

2.1.2 Blanche’s Fear of Exposure-6

2.1.3 The Extended Meaning of “Straight”-6

2.2 The Manifestation of Blanche as an Doppelganger in Her Behaviors-7

2.2.1 Blanche’s Fondness of White Clothes-7

2.2.2 Blanche’s Favor of Young Boys-7

3. The Reasons of Blanche as a Doppelganger-8

3.1 Blanche’s Memory of Allan-8

3.1.1 The Impact of Allan’s Suicide-8

3.1.2 The Impact of “Varsouviana”-9

3.2 Blanche’s Degradation of Herself-9

3.2.1 Blanche’s Three Narrations-9

3.2.2 Blanche’s Tragedy-10

4. Enlightenment of Blanche as an Doppelganger-11

4.1 Enlightenment in Respect of Society-11

4.1.1 Social Significance in Tennessee’s Age-11

4.1.2 Homosexual Situation in Modern American Society-12

4.1.3 A Correct Attitude towards Homosexuals-12

4.2 Enlightenment in Respect of Homosexuals Themselves-13

4.2.1 Homosexuals Who Are Sure about Their Sexual Orientations-13

4.2.2 Homosexuals Who Are Not Sure about Their Sexual Orientations-13

5. Conclusion-15

References-16