An actress on stage years later was going to play Blanche and was trying to understand the character. She asked Tennessee Williams what he thought happened to Blanche after the play. Without a pause Tennessee said, "She did fine at the hospital, slept with some of the handsome young doctors and got out and opened a chic little shop in the Quarter."
shareI like that ending :)
shareI love that! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for that, poetcomic1, it's a lovely thought.
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She escaped from the institution by bribing one of the orderlies with a blow job, and then went to Hollywood and created the show "Cougar Town".
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I like that ending also. I just watched it again recently and wondered what would happen to her. To me, Blanche was weak and too often a victim (or allowed herself to be one). With the proper care, she could get better and live a decent life. I think that Mitch would have visited her in the hospital and been part of her recovery (remember Mitch attacked Stanley). He was a bit of a lost soul himself but it was clear that he cared for Blanche. More interesting to consider what kind of relationship Blanche and Stella would have. The ending in the movie makes it appear that Stella believes Blanche and now rejects Stanley but in the play, she still accepts his advances. That would make any reconcilation difficult (to put it mildly).
I like the fact that Williams didn't see Blanche as so damaged that she was uncapable of recovery. He had some hope for this poor creature.
For Blanche to recover would mean to create a fantasy world of romance and beauty. Not 21st century therapeutic 'adjustments'. She would still be nutty according to Williams' vision - but happy-nutty!
shareWhat source is this from? I really want to believe it!! I know she's not perfect but it's reassuring to know that Blanche doesn't suffer more than she already had.
shareThe book by Staggs all about Streetcar, I believe it is called 'When Blanche Met Brando'. The actress, it seems was Claire Bloom in an English revival of the play. She says that only then could she understand how to play Blanche and the hidden strength and survival instincts of the character.
shareWow thank you! I wasn't expecting such a prompt response :) I've just bought the ebook!
shareI have hope for Blanche! I think her demeanor in the final scene when she tells the elderly gentleman escorting her to the asylum "I've always depended on the kindness of strangers"...gives me hope that she still had some sense of manners and grace and intelligence as he was accepting her (hopefully temporary) fate. Unlike other iconic grand dames like Baby Jane Hudson or Norma Desmond, both whom were completely bonkers...I think with therapy and maybe the eventual rescue of a former boyfriend like Shep Huntley, Blanche was going to take her life back and leave the past behind, accept her age (37 seems so young now!) and start fresh without all of the pretentions and baggage! I guess it's my love for the character and Vivien Leigh that gives me some glimmer of hope for this indelible character who deserved a better life! She benefited from treatment and was eventually able to recreate her life away from Oriole or New Orleans!
shareRegardless of WHAT you think - Tennessee Williams CREATED Blanche DuBois and he says authoritatively how she would turn out. Your belief in 'therapy' and 'adjusting people to the real world' as though it were some sort of Dr. Phil bromide is rather touching but Blanche without the 'magic' and madness is no longer Blanche.
shareWow! You're inferring that I wanted Blanche to undergo a lobotomy or something! I think she would benefit from therapy but she would ultimately hold on to the magic and charm and romanticism among many other positive aspects to her personality without the madness she endured at the hands of others! She would have to find great inner strength to protect herself from types like Stanley and the men from the seedy hotel in Oriole who were only out to use and abuse her! Regardless of Tennessee Williams' doom and gloom future for Blanche, I still think there's a glimmer of hope! Maybe it's Vivien Leigh's phenomenal performance that makes me care about the character so much and not write her off like so many fans have.
shareBlanche would have needed years of therapy to be able to function in the real world.
The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.