As scholars have previously associated, “literature is a product of its time period”. The same goes for the saying that writers base their characters upon their own lives and hardships. As presented in A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, the literature contains a large magnitude of connections within the author's personal life. The audience is almost automatically able to perceive the main character of this work, Blanche, is extremely insecure, and lacks not only self- esteem, but self- love as well. The way in which Blanche expresses herself, and behaves (sometimes without even realizing it) relates to teens presently. Throughout years of maturation, and the beginning of grasping the true meaning of oneself a majority of teens are faced with the confidence ruining skin condition called acne. The pressure that teens with the stipulation of acne endure draws a parallel with Blanche and her own personal insecurities (such as her growing age) specifically.
Blanche displays the lack of self-love those have experienced in the past, and in our current society. A big sign of Blanche’s diminishing self respect, and self worth is displayed by her introduction of her “fishing for compliments” due to her extreme insecurity of her age, and eluding to her promiscuous side. When the play opens the sisters unite, and almost immediately Blanche says to her sister Stella, “You haven’t said a word about my appearance” (Williams 1170). Exemplified throughout the play, Blanche searches for constant reassurance from anyone who will give her a second of attention. This leads to the connection with her promiscuity due to the fact that she is so broken, and lacking self- respect, self worth, self- love, etc. Watching the story continue the audience could only ponder how Blanche would present herself to the world if only she knew, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen” (Elizabeth Kubler- Ross). Self love cannot be partial, in order to truly be in agreeance with oneself they cannot be based off of what they have, and what they have lost.
Blanche’s narrow minded, and negative thought about herself greatly relates to adolescents who suffer from acne. About 85% of citizens have been affected by this skin defect (Afshari, 430). The inflammation, and irritation displayed upon the skin so easily ruins one's confidence. The study of the relationship between self-concept, self-esteem and perfectionism with the severity of acne in adolescents, allows anyone who was had exposure to Blanche to see how easily the lack of confidence relates. The study concludes with the final statement, “The first finding of the study showed that there is a significant negative relationship between acne severity and all aspects of self-concept, including physical, social, mental, educational, moral, rational, and total self-concept. That is, with acne increase, each aspect of self-concept decreases in adolescents” (Afshari, 434). Skin conditions, Acne in particular, can inflict on one's perspective, and most importantly acceptance of themselves.
Acne, like aging in one of Blanche’s many cases of insecurity, can completely destroy a person's self- respect and self- love. As motivational author Louise L. Hay once said, “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving yourself and see what happens”. Confidence is an acquired trait, takes time, dedication, and determination. In order for our characters, current authors and regular common day people to achieve a life of happiness and self respect, they will have to work on being a more positive and rational self.
Comments
Post a Comment