Blog post 3 topic 3

            The term insanity can be defined as the inability to make rational decisions. Or the dictionary definition which is “Unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter a relationship” (Merriam-Webester.com) or “Something utterly foolish or unreasonable” (Merriam-Webester.com). However, what is left out from this official dictionary definition is how Einstein classified insanity which was “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. This is demonstrated in Blanche and even Stanley from “A Streetcar Named Desire”. A cultural idea that can be considered insane is that men need to be in control of their house and by extension the people that live in it. This concept can be interpreted many ways. Unfortunately, there is a very irrational interpretation of this idea. I am referring to the extremes that people go to, to feel in control of their own household. For example, actions that appointing absurd restrictions or rules that interfere in people’s lives. Which could include limited time on a device, forbiddance on extracurricular activities or study groups, or even leaving home for college. It may sound a bit ridiculous but these are real issues that affect real people. They don’t really have a real reason for doing this other than because they said so. That there can be considered illogical and insane.

            Considering Blanche's circumstances her reaction could be considered reasonable. However, that doesn’t mean that she can’t also be considered crazy. She wants to be a first-class lady and be treated like one. Logic would dictate that to accomplish that you should act like a first-class lady. Blanch has done many things that make her the opposite of a lady from sleeping with an underage boy to sleeping with several strangers. At some level, Blanche understands that she is not pure and that she is tainted. That explains her constant long baths. “Oh, I feel so good after my long, hot bath, I feel so good and cool and – rested.” She is trying to cleanse herself of her past and her impurity. If we go back to Einstein’s definition of insanity which was “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.  She can be considered crazy because she bathes herself in the hopes that she will change, but she never will. Blanche understands that her circumstances are tragic so she tries to alter reality to suit her. “I don’t want realism. I want magic! [Mitch laughs] Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it!” This all comes back to her pretending to be something she isn’t. Someone who can’t come to terms with reality is not sane. Because even she gets lost in her fiction, and it becomes difficult to distinguish the truth from her lies as shown in the story when she is caught by Mitch and says “Never inside, I didn’t lie in my heart”.