Critical Lens Essay

A detailed Summary of Critical Lens Essay

According to Rousseau, "Literature shows how man is his own greatest enemy." In other words, people cause their own problems in life. Based on many literary works, this quote is true. This concept of literature is found in William's play A Streetcar Named Desire and Miller's play Death of a Salesman. Through the use of literary elements such as characterization, symbols and themes, both respective authors prove Rousseau's statement that literature shows how man is his own greatest enemy.

In the play A Streetcar Named Desire, William uses characterization and themes to show how people cause their own problems in life. This is demonstrated through the characterization of Blanche DuBois. The events of Blanche's life have led her onto a path of destruction. In her feelings of loneliness and guilt after her husband's suicide, Blanche looks

for comfort in heavy drinking and sexual affairs causing her to loose her job, self- respect and her place in her hometown, Laurel, and eventually her sanity. Williams also shows this through the themes of desire and illusions. In the play, desire is one of Blanche's motivations yet she tries to deny it. Blanche's desires have caused her to be driven out of Laurel, and her inability to act appropriately on her desires brings Blanche to her downfall. The theme of fantasy and illusion also shows how man is his own greatest enemy. When talking to Mitch, Blanche says, "I don't tell the truth, I tell what ought to be the truth." Blanche's lies and contortion of reality come from her weakness and inability to confront the truth. As you can see, through the usage of characterization and themes, William's play supports Rousseau's statement that "Li

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Approximate Word count = 570
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Critical Lens Essay

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