“Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
I believe you are the man I have been waiting for kind sir; sweet stranger excuse me but I seem to desire the attention of those who have yet to make their minds up bout me.
Its strange isn’t it? You would think that family would coddle me in sweet reassurance, but no I have been abandoned by my sister and Mitch and my Allen…
Gracious me! That leaves you – my secret saviour come to free me from that grave Stella calls a home.
Je suis libre!
You see you have freed me from the cave of a horrendous monster, one way in and no way out.
Oh honey, I don’t really understand what it is about strangers that I am drawn to, like a blank canvas that I have yet to spoil with primaries.
Maybe it is that there is nothing to resent about a person you have never met, no betrayal to avenge or lies to contrast the truth…
Will you tell me your name? Mine is Blanche, Blanche Dubois, it means white –
Oh have we arrived already?
Well… the most intriguing of affairs are born from mystery and kept in secret.”
*****
This monologue was not one that simply came to me. This monologue was not one in which I summoned my inner Blanche to conjure, for I truly did not believe there was one to call on let alone answer. This monologue was formulated in a mind that struggled to understand the perplexities of a character like Blanche Dubois, and it is only now that I can fully recognize the sorrow behind the moth-like tragedy portrayed in the play. This analysis allowed me to establish a deeper connection than my original interpretation: a whining wanna be that refused to take responsibility for her misfortunes. It was through the line “Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers”, that my connection with Blanche began, for I have always had the same desire to have the approval of those who I have yet to know. Together Blanche and I possess the insecurity of being archetyped before our stories have had the chance to tell themselves, together we rely on strangers to listen to justify our worth . Blanche and I many be very different, but if there is one thing that even strangers have in common it is fear.
Only now do I fully realize the pain behind the character I never thought to look behind.
– E.M
Dear Emily,
Firstly, I would like to commend you on such an awesome monologue, I always thoroughly enjoy reading you writing, and this was no exception. Your ability to continue the tone and mood that Tennessee Williams creates for Blanche is really awesome man!
Secondly, I would like to thank you for opening my eyes and allowing me to appreciate the character of Blanche Dubois. I think, like you, I initially took Blanche to be one of those annoying characters that I could not picture myself ever connecting to, and one of the characters that you discount. Your interpretation and ideas truly opened my eyes, and I thank you for sharing your insight with us. It’s really awesome Em!
You’re such a great writer, and your monologue for Streetcar was another great piece. Thank you for your monologue and your insight. Keep writing!
Love,
Tay