Blanche Dubois Wardrobe Quotes

In the early 1940’s, women in New Orleans were financially and emotionally dependent on men. Women would use clothing to hide their true self, from men in the male dominated society, they were living in. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Blanche’s wardrobe is a motif that relates to the theme of dependence on men throughout the drama. Blanche Dubois is portrayed as a pure and innocent character. She is constantly concerned with her appearance in the eyes of others. Throughout the drama her wardrobe symbolizes different features of her life and the story of her persistent need to be desired, pure, and attractive. Blanche arrives at the French Quarter, “ she is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earring of pearl, white gloves and a hat, looking as if she were
In reality, Blanche is a seductive and promiscuous woman. Blanche is portrayed as a pure and innocent character because her white wardrobe symbolizes a delicate beauty, but it becomes well known that Blanche is none of those traits. Blanche acts so innocent so she can hide her past from others because she fears if they know the truth they will no longer accept her. Subsequently, Blanche changes her wardrobe from white colors to strong bold ones. Blanche is seated in a bedroom chair next to Mitch, “ she has on her scarlet satin robe”(Scene 9, pg. 113). Mitch has finally figured out Blanche's past. Mitch confronts Blanche for lying to him and she still continues to deny her past and the true character she is. For the first time, Blanche’s true traits come out. The color scarlet represents fire and lust. Her clothes match her true self and intentions because she knew she was meeting with Mitch, which explains her choice of outfit and shows the promiscuous and seductive character she is. Mitch realizes who the real Blanche is and refuses to marry her, he tells Blanche ,”she is no longer clean enough to bring in the house with his mother” (Scene 9, pg.