Jessica Ward
Professor Fountain
November
15, 2018 Word
Count: 742
Insanity
When
someone uses the word insane or insanity in today’s culture it takes on a
completely different meaning than it did in the 1800’s. For example, if someone
decides to skateboard while holding onto a car than they may be called insane,
which takes on the meaning of being foolish to someone can even plead insanity
in a courtroom due to their mental state. However, in the 1800’s someone may
use or shows signs of the following in order to be insane in some degree:
laziness, disappointed love, female disease, mental excitement, cold, snuff,
greediness, the list goes on. As one can see the meaning of the word insanity
changes depending on the situation and the culture. However the meaning
insanity and sanity inner changes with what is considered to be the normal and
not normal which is categorized within sanity and insanity.
We see
something similar happen to a character named Blanche in“A Streetcar Named
Desire”, by Tennessee Williams. She plays with this idea of what is
considered sane and what is not. For example, when Blanche talks about her
friend Shep Huntleigh too her sister Stella; Stella does not know who Shep
Huntleigh is. We see this happen when Blanche talks to Stella about leaving and
she says, “listen to me. 1 have an idea of some kind. [Shakily she twists a
cigarette into her holder] Do you remember Shep Huntleigh? [Stella
shakes her head] Of course you remember Shep Huntleigh. I went out with him
at college and wore his pin for a while.” After reading this small part as a
reader I was also confused of who this friend was, but soon come too the
conclusion that Blanche may of made him up in order to have a way to escape.
Despite this momentary scene of insanity it was not the only moment which
Blanche has moments where she appears insane. As we can see, Blanche’s
situation is unique to her and the time period of when this play was written.
Some of the things she does and says is considered to go against the normal
behavior and has classified her as insane. Even in today’s culture having a
imaginary friend at the age Blanche is, is considered to be insane because it
is not okay for a adult to have an imaginary friend.
On the
other hand Blanche tries to fit into a high class of society, but in order for
her to do so she had to create an appearance in order to fit into the high
class society. However, when she “created” the outward appearance of a high
class person it took its toll on her mentally as well. We see how it affects
her behavior because of when the Flamingo was brought up in a conversion,
Blache responds by saying, “‘The hotel Flamingo is not the sort of
establishment I would dare to be seen in! The odor of cheap perfume is
penetrating.’” (scene 9). Which brings me to my next point of when Stanley was
going through Blanche’s trunk he says, “look at these feathers and furs that
she come here to preen herself in! What's this here? A solid-gold dress, I
believe! And this one! What is these here? Fox-pieces! [He blows on them]
Genuine fox fur-pieces, a half a mile long! Where · are your fox-pieces,
Stella? Bushy snow-white ones, no less! Where are your white fox-pieces?” As
soon as Blanche created the appearance to fit in it took over her life in a way
that become unhealthy for her as mentioned before. It almost like an unhealthy
obsession that fits the culture and yet does not. These points were mentioned
about Blanche to show how insanity evolves to fit into the society as Blanche
has tried to do unsuccessfully. She may have appeared normal, but after some
analysis of her character one can tell she is insane on some degree.
Even
though the following definition is considered to be the official definition of
insanity: “the state of being seriously mentally ill; madness or extreme
foolishness or irrationality” (google). Insanity evolves and takes on different
meanings within any society to. Blanche’s insanity come from wanting to fit in
but was not able to as what happens to any of us. A question to consider is, is
everyone insane on some level? And are others just worse off than most?
I really enjoyed your essay! I definitely agree with your argument that the definition of insanity evolves over time as cultural norms change. I really liked how you specifically stated and analyzed how Blanche fit the definitions of insanity both in terms of when this play was written and our present-day society. The only thing I would add is a little more analysis regarding how Blanche's fox-pieces contributes to her insanity. Overall however, it is a great essay and in response to your question, I would say that not everyone is insane on the same level, as I would characterize insanity to be a spectrum rather than a definitive label. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica! I appreciated your acknowledgement of the fact that the modern-day definition of insanity is not the same as it was in a time closer to when this play was written. I also liked your idea that one's interpretation of the definition of society is dependent on the "situation and culture". However, some of the sentences/sentence structures were a little confusing; the last sentence of the first paragraph would be an example. Also, while I believe some of the quotes used might have been more effective if condensed and paraphrased rather than as direct quotes, I overall think this was a good essay.
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