In "A Streetcar Named Desire", what does the character Blanche primarily represent?

Blanche primarily represents the decline of the Old South and the fragility of mental health in "A Streetcar Named Desire." Her character embodies the remnants of a once-glamorous and genteel way of life that is fading in the face of modern realities, as represented by other characters like Stanley Kowalski. Throughout the play, Blanche clings to her refined past and illusions of grandeur, which starkly contrast with the harshness of her current circumstances. Her descent into mental instability is indicative of the broader themes of psychological pressure and the effects of trauma as she struggles to reconcile her idealized memories with her present struggles. This representation highlights the complexities of southern identity, societal change, and personal fragility, capturing the essence of the Old South's decline and its impact on individual characters.