“Tragic characters are only “effective” by courting, suffering, and encompassing their own destruction. » (Gassner 463). Fitting Gassner's definition of a tragic character, Blanche DuBois in Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire caustically drives herself to her own downfall. At the beginning of the play, Blanche DuBois, a "belle of the old South" (Krutch 40), finds herself on the trail of her sister and brother-in-law's dingy apartment in New Orleans. Although DuBois presents herself as a refined and sophisticated woman, the reader quickly realizes that behind all the pearls and jewels lies a raw and unstable character. Not only does she harbor fatal flaws of loneliness, alcoholism, and pride, but the influence of her animal brother-in-law, Stanley, perpetuates her demise, ultimately leading to what some critics perceive as "insanity." From the beginning, Blanche DuBois attempts to hide her tragic flaws through a facade: that of the Virgin Mary like innocence and purity, while beneath her mask lies an identity as a prostitute and alcoholic. She strives to emulate a Southern aristocrat of her era, but in the process, ironically, she commits everything to solidifying herself as the exact opposite. Blanche's first impression, however, reflects confidence; his fatal flaw of solitude is still present. Williams reveals to the reader Blanche's loneliness and instability by declaring to Stella, her sister, that "I can't be alone!" Because, as you must have noticed, I’m not doing very well…” (17). Blanche longs for her sister's companionship, as she lacks other stable relationships. With the family dead and Stella as the only survivor, Blanche can only lean on his shoulder in times of crisis...... middle of paper ...... The Southern Review, Vol. I, n°4, October 1965, pp.770-90. Rep. In CTC, vol. 30. Ed. Jean C. Stine, Daniel G. Marowski. Detroit: Gale Research Co., 1984. Print.Krutch, Joseph, "How Modern is Modern American Drama?" » in “Modernism” in ModernDrama: A Definition and an Estimate, Cornell University Press, 1953, pp. 104-34. Rep. In CTC, vol. 30. Ed. Jean C. Stine, Daniel G. Marowski. Detroit: Gale Research Co., 1984. PrintWatts, Richard, Jr., "Streetcar Named Desire' Is Striking Drama," in Twentieth CenturyInterpretations of "a Streetcar Named Desire": A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Jordan Y. Miller, Prentice-Hall, inc.. 1971. Pp. 30-1 repetition. In CTC, vol. 30. Ed. Jean C. Stine, Daniel G. Marowski. Detroit: Gate Research co., 1984. Print. Williams, Tennessee. A tram named Désir. New York: New Directions PublishingCorporation, 1947. Print.