Scene 1:

Two conflicting mood being created by the initial atmosphere. This creates tension and
points to the conflict ahead.
First atmosphere: bustling and lively/romantic- there is music and the buildings have
a “raffish” charm. This creates a light tone.
However: There is an underlining feeling of decay. The houses are ‘weathered and
grey’- is the initial impression a fragile façade? The word decay implies that there is a
rot beneath the surface + creates a sense of foreboding.

“He heaves the package… laughs breathlessly.”

 Sexual symbolism of the meat- he is a brute + something primal about Stanley. He
and Stella have an intense sexual relationship. SS establishes the tone of
commonplace brutality + reality

Blanche + the moth:

“There is something about her…that suggest a moth.”

As opposed to the butterfly the moth is nocturnal + uses celestial navigation (navigating by
lunar light). The moth is attracted the artificial light.
The nocturnal moth disguises itself from predators with white brown, grey or black wings.
Across cultures the moth has been associated with purity and misfortune.
The moth symbolises:
 Concealment + disguise
 Vulnerability
 Faith
 Attraction
 Determination
 Metamorphosis/change
 Incurable illness/death.

“They told me to take a streetcar… get off at Elysian Fields.”

 Desire leads to death- the streetcars foreshadow the events Blanche undertakes in
the play
 Irony- the streetcar that leads Blanche to the French Quarter is leading her to the
‘Elysian Fields’- a paradise for fallen hero’s souls but where Blanche ends up is no
paradise.
 Intertextuality- reference to Greek mythology- Elysian’s fields- all three characters
(Stan, Stella + Blanche) are all linked to death (emotionally, mentally)

“She showed me a picture… the plantation.”

 Blanche represents old Southern Values and this juxtaposes with new Southern
values seen in Stan (immigrant)

“But don’t you look at me… I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare.”
 Motif of light + darkness- Blanche’s avoidance of light reinforces her severed
connection with herself/reality. Symbolises the reality of her past.
“…Precious lamb…”
 Epithet- both Blanche and Stan patronise Stella- call her ‘baby’ ‘lamb’ etc- reinforces
her lack of agency.

“I know you must have some liquor on the place… I spy, I spy.”
 This action is the first example of Blanche’s deceitfulness- contrasts with the stage
direction of page 5 (Blanche drinking).
 Reinforces to the audience that Blanche’s stories cannot be trusted as she lies.

“Now, don’t get worried. Your sister hasn’t turned into a drunkard.”
 Dramatic irony- we have watched Blanche drink and hide evidence of this. Blanche is
not a truthful character.

“Only Poe!... woodland of Weir”

 Intertextual reference to Edgar A Poe- ‘Ulalume’- This poem foreshadows Blanche’s
emotional journey throughout the play.
 The poem discusses the unfortunate and unavoidable overlap between the past and
the present.

“Oh no, one’s my limit.”

 Dramatic irony- she has had 2 drinks. Blanche is a liar.

“They’re Stanley’s friends” “Polacks?” “They’re a mixed lot.”

 Dialogue between Blanche and Stella highlights Blanche’s racial profiling of Stanley
and his friends before she has met them.
 This reinforces tensions between the Old Southern values and New Southern values.

“The loss- the loss…” “Belle Reve?”

 Belle Reve is symbolic of Old Southern Values. The loss of BR reinforces the changing
values and that the ‘old way of life’ that Blanche (+ Stella) are used to are dying/
becoming a thing of the past.

“I, I I,” “But I saw! Saw Saw!” “Don’t let me go” “Funerals are quiet.”
 Repetition- begins to reinforce that Blanche is trapped in the past- her repetition of
these words/phrases in her monologue represents her inability to escape from the
past/the deaths of her family + move on. It seems as if when discussing past events
Blanche relives them.

“How in hell did you think all that sickness and dying was paid for?”
 Rhetorical question- Blanche somewhat envies Stella.
 Tone of accusing- Blanche is angry that she wore the burden of caring for the family
while Stella was with San.

“But with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.”
  The rooster is also known as a cockerel (sexual symbolism). They are polyamorous
animals (not as dedicated to Stella as he may seem). Roosters are distinguished by it
loudness- they crow to proclaim their territory.
 Symbol of dominance, loudness, aggression, arrogance, crudeness + gaudiness.

Blanche: Old South

Stan: New South.

“He holds the bottle to the light to observe its depletion”

 Motif of light + darkness- Stanley is the light as he represents reality/ the working
class
 Dark = deception light = reality

“No- I- rarely touch it” “Some people rarely touch it but it touches them often.”
 This dialogue is the first moment when Stan (reality) contrasts Blanche (deception)
albeit unknowingly. Without knowing her, his dialogue acts to dispute her lies. This
can be seen to be the beginning of tension/conflict. This dialogue reinforces the role
of Blanche (darkness/deception) Stan (light/reality)

“You going to shack up here?” “I thought I would if it’s not inconvenient to you-all”
 Juxtaposition between Stan + Blanche’s use of language. Stan uses slang + improper
sentence structure + rough pronunciation whereas Blanche uses proper standard
English
 This juxtaposition reinforces their differences in manner and opinion.

“I’m afraid I’ll strike you as being the unrefined type”

 Violent connotations- Stan does end up being very violent to Blanche.

“The music of the polka rises up, faint in the distance.”

 This music is symbolic- the polka only plays when Blanche is feeling remorse for her
husband’s death/she panics + loses her grip of reality.
 The music represents Blanche’s loss of innocence- the suicide of her husband (where
she heard this music during their final conversation) was the event that triggered her
mental decline along with the death of her family + loss of her home. (Past vs
Present)
Scene 2:

“Blanche is bathing”
“She is soaking in a hot tub to quiet her nerves. She’s terribly upset.”
 Bathing as a motif- Blanche attempts to clean herself (emotionally, spiritually and
mentally)- she is obsessed with cleanliness + becoming pure- perhaps from a sense
of guilt. Bathing allows Blanche to escape reality.

“She jumps up and kisses him which he accepts with lordly composure.”
 Stella’s hyperbolic actions suggests + reinforces her attraction to Stan- this is almost
animalistic- Stan’s animal behaviour rubs off on Stella.
 ‘lordly’-adjective choice reinforces Stans power.

Juxtaposition between hot + cold ‘Hot tub’ ‘cold plate on ice’ reinforces the disconnection
between Blanche and Stan.

“Stan, we’ve- lost Belle Reve!”

 Hyphenation detaches Stella from the past- however the exclamation contrasts this
effect by echoing her grieving tone- loyalty torn between Blanche + Stan.

“Napoleonic Code”
 Reference to Napolean reflects on Stan mindset- he is smallminded and proud + the
use of the word ‘code’ suggests that Stella is bound to him by the patriarchy.
 Highlights Stans ignorance- Belle Reve is in Mississippi + wouldn’t fall under this law.

“…Baby”
 Pet name for Stella- used to demean her- presents her as feeble and powerless.

“What belongs to the wife belongs to the husband and vice versa.”
 Use of ‘vice versa’ dilutes the importance of women in a relationship.
 Careless alliteration of ‘vice versa’ (v) suggests that Stanley carelessly overlooks a
sense of equality in the marriage.

“Swindled’
 Repetition of swindled highlights his growing anger at the thought that Blanche may
have exploited him financially.

“He pulls open the wardrobe trunk… armful of dresses”

“He hurls the furs.. costume jewellery”
“He kicks the trunk partly closed”
“He snatches them up”
“He rips off the ribbon and starts to examine them”
 Stans violent treatment of the trunk is symbolic + foreshadows his treatment of
Blanche (assault) as well as the ways he uncovers her lies.

“Look at these feathers and furs”

  Alliteration of the ‘f’ sound echoes Stanley’s anger at Blanche for financially
abandoning Stella.

“The treasure chest of a pirate”

“Pearls! Ropes of them… deep sea treasures”
 Stanley’s hyperbolic language highlights that he is planting the ideas that Stella is
being swindled by Blanche.

Stan: And diamonds! A crown for an empress!..... Stella: Next door to glass.”
 Dialogue between Stan and Stella highlight Blanche’s façade + how she uses fantasy
to make her life more bearable.
 Highlights how Stella at this point is somewhat of a mediator between Stan and
Blanche.
 Juxtaposition between rhinestone + glass acts as a comparison between Blanche’s
fantasy + reality.

“The Kowalskis and the DuBois have different notions.”

 Direct comparison reinforces the juxtaposition between Blanche and Stanley (Old
South/ New South)

“Hello, Stanley!.... brand-new human being!”

 Blanche has found a brief moment of peace through bathing (motif)

“Some buttons in the back”

“May I have a drag on your cig?”
 Blanche is symbolically flirting as this has been the only has had any success relating
to/with men.- she willingly breaches her morals in an attempt to win Stan over.

“Well, life is too full of… wish-washy people”

 This image contrasts what we know about Blanche- she dresses in white etc-
reinforces that this is a façade that Blanche puts up to interest Stanley.

Stanley [booming]
 Stanley’s loud outburst highlights to the audience that he can see through Blanche’s
deception + he responds in a violent way.

“Poems a dead boy wrote…. Any more”

 Despite Blanche saying this, Scene2 proves that Stan can see through Blanche’s
deception and uses her weakness (guilt etc). in order to exploit her (physically,
mentally and emotionally) and he does hurt her this way later in the play
(foreshadowing)

“I’m sorry he did that to you.”

 Foreshadows the ending- Stella’s refusal to acknowledge Stanley behaviour explicitly
reinforces how she feels torn between Stan + Blanche as well as her devotion to her
husband.
Scene 3:

“Van Gogh… colours of childhood spectrum”

 The kitchen is established as a male space- therefore the bedroom becomes the
female space
 Link between the colours of the kitchen + the colours the men wear.

“Solid blues, a purple… as the primary colours”

 Simile- compares men to the bright colours- men are dominant, powerful, confident
and superior.

“Bedroom is relatively dim… on the street”

 Lighting contrasts the two spaces (kitchen and bedroom) motif of light.

‘He lurches up… to the floor”

 Lurch- Stan’s actions are aggressive at the outset of the scene + builds up.

“I gotta sick mother…”

“She says to go out…”
“Aw, for God’s sake, go home, then!”
 Short syntax + exclamation- Stanleys response to a nurturing male figure is
aggressive and impatient
 Juxtaposition between Stan + Mitch (character foils).

He crosses through the bedroom into the bathroom

 Mitch’s actions of physically leaving the male space for the female one symbolises
Mitch’s rejection of the typical masculine role.

“Well, well, well. I see you boys are still at it!”

 Repetition creates a sarcastic tone- reinforces Stella’s annoyance.
 Stella’s use of the word ‘boy’ mirrors Stanley’s previous tone when addressing her
(patronising) + adds to sarcastic tone.
 Exclamation highlights her confidence in challenging Stan in a male space.

“How much longer…continue?”

“Till we’re ready to quit.
 Power struggle seen through dialogue + proxemics (ladies are interrupting the male
space)

‘Blanche crosses into the bedroom.. closes the portieres.’

 Unlike Stella in this scene, Blanche does not challenge these traditional gender
norms as seen through her movement to the bedroom.

“A chair scrapes… on her thigh.”

 Stanley’s physical display of male dominance sends Stella back to the female space/
back to conforming to female gender roles.
“[sharply] That’s not funny Stanley”
 Adverb highlights Stella’s feeble attempt to stand up for herself.

‘Stella goes into the bedroom’

 Despite challenging the masculine role in stage directions + dialogue Stella retreats
into her female role.

“Oh!”
 Blanche’s exclamation highlights her surprise at a man in the female space.

‘He crosses slowly back into the kitchen’

 Mitch’s reluctance to return to the male space juxtaposes him with Stan.

“Is he a wolf?”
 Animalistic imagery- mans intrinsic link to animals

*Characters can be seen in this scene to explore different gender roles: Mitch- feminine,
Stella- masculine*

“You’re standing in the light, Blanche!

 Blanche’s transparency/honesty with her sister is reflected here in the lighting-
Blanche’s façade has dropped somewhat when speaking to Stella.

She moves out of the yellow streak of light.

 Motif of light and dark.

“With girlish laughter” “Laughingly” “Laughing” “More laughter”

 Repetition of laughter- in the female space women feel free to express themselves
until men assert their dominance
 Stella specifically feels comfortable + expressive in the female space.

“You hens cut out that conversation in there.”

 Animal imagery- hens are a motherly symbol- patronising them through their gender.

“You can’t hear us”… “…I’ll be out in a minute”

 Stella + Stanley’s dialogue highlights tension which stems from her confronting him in
a male space. Stella’s reactions to Stanley shows she is taking on a more powerful
(masculine) role here.

“Have you got any cigs?”

 Alludes to Blanche’s at seducing Stan in Scene 2- with Mitch she is successful.
 Mitch contrasts Stanley’s reaction- he is drawn in by Blanche, her charms and her
façade.
“And if God… Mrs Browning.”
“You know it?”
“Certainly I do!”
 Intertextual reference to Sonnet 43 highlights Blanche + Mitch’s connection on an
intellectual level- this intertextual reference also reinforces how Mitch steps outside
of traditional masculine gender roles through his appreciation of poetry.

“The girl is dead now’

[In a tone of deep sympathy] oh!
 Mitch and Blanche are linked through personal circumstances- death of a loved one.
 Nouns of ‘boy’ ‘girl’ creates similarities between the pair + suggests that they are
both somewhat stuck in their past.

Drunk – drunk- animal thing you!

 Animal imagery

She backs out of sight… Stella cries out

 Stage direction highlight that Stella’s cross into the male space + confrontation of
Stanley has resulted in a violent outburst- Stanley’s inability to comprehend/cope
with changing gender norms.

Stanley is forced by the two men into the bedroom… one of their shoulders”
 Stan is forced from the masculine space
 Physicality of moving into the female space make the men more feminine in their
behaviour (e.g losing aggression + surrendering)
 Men are acting in a way that is caring + nurturing (unmasculine + everything Stan
critiqued about Mitch)

“Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women.”

 Repetition (next page) highlights the ignorance of men + represents sentiments
towards women- men’s misunderstanding of women.

[dully] What’s the matter; what’s happened”

[thickly] I want water.
 Stan seems to be coming out of a trance-like state. Adverbs like ‘dully’ and ‘thickly’
highlights his vulnerable state.
 Short questioning syntax.

*Masculinity is being question in this era- this is reinforced by the internal conflict of Stanley
when his male role is being challenged.*

“Paper Doll”
 Use of music represents Stanley + Stella’s relationship- Stanley wants a ‘paper doll’
rather than Stella challenging his masculinity- intertextual reference.

“My baby doll’s left me”

  Stella’s pet names continue to infantise her- Stanley wants his power back despite
Stella having left.

He breaks into sobs’ ‘He hurls the phone to the floor’

 Juxtaposition of masculine + feminine behaviours (sob to aggression)- Stan does not
know how to express himself.

“Dissonant brass and piano sounds”

 The music doesn’t fit together- its disjointed + unnatural like the situation + Stanley
and Stella’s relationship.

“There he throws back his head… wife’s name”

 Simile- comparing Stan to a hunting dog- animal imagery highlights the animalistic
nature of men.

Calling down from the door of her upper apartment.

 Proxemics- Eunice + girls are upstairs which is demonstrating their power (levels) +
Stan is below signifying a shift in power.
 Stanley wants Stella to come down to his level and give up her power- childish and
clingy

“Stella! Stella sweetheart!”

 Repetition of Stella shows Stan is powerless and childlike.

Eunice: You can’t beat…She won’t come!”

 Eunice’s defence of Stella highlights new attitudes towards the treatment of women-
her anger at Stan can be seen in her absolute diction.

Stanley: [humbly]
 Adverb ‘humbly’ reinforces Stan’s behavioural shift.

*Swapped gender roles between Eunice + Stanley- woman is being more aggressive than the
man*

Stanley: [With heaven-splitting violence] STELL-AHHHHH

 Despite shift in gender norms Stanley’s animalistic nature re-emerges in his longing
to see Stella.”
 Repetition of ‘Stella’

“The low-tone clarinet moans”

 Personification- establishes sexual undertones in this moment + Stella/Stanley’s
relationship.

“Stella slips down the rickety stairs in her robe”

 Shift in proxemics relinquishes her power.
“Then they come together with low, animal moans… maternity”
 Animal imagery- primal nature of their relationship
 Stanley surrenders his masculinity through his actions (falling on his knees in front of
her) – temp surrender of Stanleys power.

“As she catches… raised him level with her.”

 Levels + proxemics- changing power dynamics- in this moment Stella and Stanley are
equal through their sexual desire for one another.

‘dark’ x2 creates an ominous tone/ danger.

“All quiet on the Potomac now?”

 Historical illusion
 Foil to Stanley
 Formality- adheres to societal expectations (superficially)

“Thank you for being so kind! I need kindness now.”

 Foreshadows final scene- kindness of strangers/men
 What is truth to Blanche- it is a voice that needs assistance (who is dependent on
others- especially men) Chiasmus- type of repetition where you change the ending
(kind/kindness)
 Repetition of kind reinforces the need of Blanche- her truth is an assisted truth.

Scene 7:

Characters:

Summary of key characters - where were they at the conclusion of the scene

Blanche: Throughout the scene she was bathing and cleansing herself however when she
leaves her panic returns instantly with Stella’s odd behaviour.

Stanley: At the end of the scene Stanley has revealed the harsh truths that Blanche has been
hiding and is pretty proud of himself.

Stella: While being in denial about Blanche’s behaviour, throughout the scene and by the
end Stanley has begun to convince her and she is quite distraught.

What do we learn about the characters?

Stella and Blanche are more alike than we think. They both have a tendency to deny and not
face the truth, especially around Stanley. We also see the tension between all three
characters has escalated, specifically as we draw closer to the climax.

How do the characters compare/contrast/serve as foils?

They are all on a spectrum of fantasy/reality. Blanche is in complete delusion and fantasy
while Stan is on the opposite end of the spectrum being a total realist. Stella exists in a weird
limbo between them both, with being a more realistic character than Blanche but still in
denial and unable to accept a lot of truths.

Do they change or develop in any way? How, why?

Towards the end of the scene, Stella is beginning to doubt Blanche and her lies. She is still
conflicted between who she should believe.

Context:

What new insights do we gain int Williams’ context, values, and American society post
WW2

Williams does not express his own personal values in this scene, being an openly gay man
with a mentally ill sister (lobotomised and institutionalised) who he cared about very much.
Stella calls a gay man a degenerate and Stan calls Blanche loco nuts and is quite disrespectful
with her mental decline. He reflects the general values of society at the time.

In what ways does Williams reflect/reinforce or challenge/subvert the conservative

social/gender/sexual roles and values of America in the 1940s and 1950s?

Social gender roles are challenged during the middle of the scene when Stella takes on a
masculine role and is more dominating whereas Stanley becomes timid and “feminine”.
However, towards the end of the scene, the societal gender roles return when Stanely takes
back the power from Stella.

Summary of key plot points (minimum 3)

- Blanche bathing to cleanse and calm for her birthday dinner - singing joyful song.
- Stella is preparing for Blanche's birthday, lying about her age with fewer candles on
the cake as Mitch is invited.
- Stanley reveals to Stella the truth about Blanche's recent past while Stella denies but
also reveals Blanche is severely traumatised from the death of her husband at a
young age and that he was a “degenerate”.
- Stella begins to doubt Blanche and Blanche comes out of the bath, after Stan yelled
at her to stop singing and get out.
- At the end of the scene Blanche is panicked as Stan walks past her and Stella is acting
strange.

Key thematic concerns/idea/values and quotes

Consider how Williams achieves his purpose and represents his key ideas and values in
your allocated scene of the play through his exploration of:
 - The problematic nature of perception and truth; the deceptive nature of
appearance
- The tension between individuals and the expectations of their societies (familial,
social, gender)
- Attitudes towards mental health and illness
- The power of guilt, trauma, memory, and the ways it shapes our experiences of the
present
- The influence of the American Dream as a key narrative and its values
(individualism, freedom, meritocracy, social mobility, happiness, and material
wealth)
- Contrasting views of America and American identity - the conservative South and
America’s past (Blanche) and a more progressive North and America’s future
(Stanley)

Additionally, consider the story told through:

- Tension between realist/expressionistic elements (notion of plastic theatre)

- Dramatic structure - No acts, eleven “episodic” scenes with rising dramatic
tension/action, structural role of poker games
- Dramatic irony
- Symbolism/motif - light, colour, streetcar, blue piano, polka, meat package, lantern,
animal imagery/motifs
- Costuming
- Stage design
- Lightning
- Music/sound
- Juxtaposition/contrast
- Poetic prose of set design and stage directions
- Idiom, dictation, and register to convey character (formal, elevated/educated,
figurative language of Blanche vs Stanley’s poor grammar and colloquial language)
- Intertextuality/allusion - epitaphs/reference to classical mythology (Elysian Fields),
literary works (Hart Crane, Browning, Poe), historical events like WW2

Quote Analysis

“He thought she had never been more than
kissed by a fellow! But Sister Blanche is no
lily! Ha-ha! Some lily she is!
Stanley (pg 70)
Symbolism of lily - Blanche is compared
with this white flower whose colour
represents delicacy and purity. These
flowers are also associated with death,
being chosen at funerals.

“‘Says it’s only a paper moon, Sailing over a Intertextual Reference: Blanche sings about
cardboard sea - But it wouldn’t be make-
believe If you believe in me!’”
Blanche (pg 70)
“‘It’s a Barnum and Bailey world, Just as
phony as it can be - But it wouldn’t be
make-believe If you believe in me!’”
Blanche (pg 71)
“And for the last year or two she has been
washed up like poison.”
Stanley (pg 71)
“[Little breathless cries and peals of
laughter are heard as if a child were
frolicking in the tub]”
Stage directions (pg 72)
“I think Blanche didn’t just love him but
worshipped the ground he walked on!
Adored him and thought him almost too
fine to be human!”
Stella (pg 73)
SCENE 8:
her future with Mitch if he believes her lies,
then they will become reality.
Dramatic Irony: this future will not come to
fruition as Stanley has told Mitch her lies.
She sings a joyful song as Stanley is
exposing her at the exact same time.
Intertextual/ Historical Reference: The
reference to the circus implies that the
whole world is a performance and shows
how she rationalises her lies. Everyone is
performing.
Simile: Blanche is a poison and her lies are
poison, destroying all those around her.
Blanche is stuck in a childlike state of mind,
hence her obsession with being young and
her sleeping with younger men. She is stuck
at the moment of her husband's death, as
Stella said “I mean her marriage, when she
was - almost a child” and referring to
husband as a boy.
Fantasy Vs Reality : Blanche has always been
stuck in her fantasy, even before the
trauma. She didn't see her husband as a
real man but a fantasy, a god.
 Characters:
Quotations

Stella:
● She tries to tell him off but she goes back to her gender role
○ Feels bad about the gift stan gave blanche
○ Stands up for blanche
○ She floats between her opinions
■ She wants to protect blanche but she always sides with stan in the end (sexual
tension/desire) due to the dominance he has over her
● Goes to hospital at the end
● She degrades stan at the beginning of the scene “pig” “disgusting” “greasy”
● Lies to blanche (she knows why Mitch isn't there)
○ Hiding the reality from her

In the conclusion of scene 8 Stella has gone into labour, and is taken to the hospital. However, throughout the
scene, unlike her usual actions, Stella attempts to stand up to Stanley about his treatment of Blanche, which is
specifically seen after Blanche receives her “gift”. This reinforces Stellas inconsistency, and she's living in a
fantasy.

Stanley:
● He shifted from yelling at stella to immediately worried about her when he notices shes not okay
● Didnt call her baby when she wasn't okay (stell) “Hey what is it Stell?”
● When told to do something by stella he overreacted ‘hurls plate to the floor’
○ Asserts his dominance “don't ever talk that way to me!”
○ Women dont tell him what to do “I am the king around here”
○ He's being sarcastic/smart “My plate is cleared! You want me to clear your places?
● Everything he did to blanche ( buy her the ticket back to Laurel) was to get sex from stella again
● Hes a b**ch (censored 🙂)
● He purposefully does things to annoy blanche
○ When the phone rings and he goes to gets it because “its not for her” and then it isnt for her
● Hes trying to convince stella to get rid of blanche so that they can have their old life back
○ He tries to blame his actions towards stella on the fact that blanche is there “stell, its going to
be all right after she goes”
● Animalistic actions + straight up brute force
● The colum
○ He pulled her from the top (higher class) down to him (lower class)
● He loves lights “and get the coloured lights going”
○ The coloured lights (him + stella) - repetitively
○ Primary colours (harsh unavoidable reality)
○ He showed her the truth
■ Sex? Sees colours its that good?
● Just talking about physical desire
○ Wants to make noise at night “ its going to be sweet when we can make noise at night the
way we use to”
● Hes depriving her of a good life
● Hes trying to manipulate stella into thinking that what he did/doing is right
○ He should be excused because he “saved” stella
Stanley is a constant brute throughout the scene; smashing his plate when asked to clean it up, giving Blanche
a one way ticket home, ‘ripping his shirt off’ etc. But at the end of the scene, we see a side of Stanley we dont
see often, he cares for Stella. When he notices that shes not okay and going into labour he stops yelling at her
and immediately asks her whats wrong and goes to her, he also calls her ‘Stell’ instead of the patronising pet
names he usually calls her.

Blanche:
● Waiting for mitch to arrive
○ He doesn't show, it hurts her
○ She doesn't know why he didn't come (stella does and she keeps it from her)
○ She hopes for him to call or show up, even tho she knows its too late
● We hear the music later in the scene
● At the end she is losing her grip on reality
○ Stella has just been taken to hospital and shes enjoying her bath
○ Lights fade slowly (represents how her reality is slowly fading away)
○ Quoting the spanish vendor that sells cornbread
● Poor blanche 🙁
● When she was given the gift from stanley she first laughs and smiles and then breaks down - couldn’t
hold her façade up anymore
● Talks about her nerves but no one cares/notices “i take hot baths for my nerves… you healthy polak
without a nerve… dont know what anxiety feels like”

Throughout the scene we see Blanche slowly lose her grip on reality, with her finally muttering the words the
Spanish vendor selling cornbread says as the lights slowly fade out, as an indicator of her grasp on reality.

Context
What new insights do we gain into Williams’ context, values, and American society in post WW2/mid 20th
century?
● Collision between new and old south values
● A breach in gender roles, stella tries to tell stanley what to do (assert her dominance over him
however fails)

In what ways does Williams reflect or reinforce the conservative social/gender/sexual roles and values of
America in the 1940s and 1950s?
● Stanley as the male has the dominance over female as he said :” every man is a king.” referring that he
has the most power in the house hold, therefore Stella and Blanche doesnt have the right to insult him
nor disagree with him.

How does Williams successfully challenge or subvert traditional social/gender/sexual norms of his time?
● He successfully challenges normal gender roles as he conveys how sometimes people drift between
the two but are always put back in their place. For example stella tried to overpower stanley but she is
then put back into her original position as a female

Summary of key plot points (3)

● The scene starts with Blanche’s birthday dinner where she has been ‘stood up’ by Mitch which hurts
her but she tries to hide it
● Stella tries to insult Stanley to clean himself up but his reaction is to become violent by smashing his
plate (for example)
● Blanche suspects that Stella and Stanley know why Mitch didn’t turn up so she questions her but gets
no response in return, so she calls and leaves him a message
 ● Stanley tries to convince Stella that his vulgar actions are because of Blanche and he wants to get rid
of her so that their sexual, physical desire can return to how it was before she came
● Stanley’s gift to Blanche is disrespectful as it is a ticket back to where she came from - basically telling
her to leave which upsets Blanche
● At the end of the scene Stella’s expression changes and needs to go to the hospital and on the other
hand Blanche is losing her grip on reality.

Key thematic concerns/ideas/ values

The problematic nature of perception and truth; the deceptive nature of appearances (fantasy vs reality-
what is truth?)
● The truth of why Mitch didn’t arrive to the dinner is hidden from Blanche
● When the gift from Stanley was given to Blanche she tries to convey that it didn’t hurt/affect
her by laughing and smiling bu then breaks down and can’t hold her façade up anymore
(cries and runs to the bathroom)

The tension between individuals and the expectations of their societies (familial, social, gender)
● When Stella drifts between the two gender roles and it creates tensions between her and
Stanley
● Stanley puts her back into her place (normal female role)
● Stella tries to stand up for Blanche but Stanley has power over her

Attitudes towards mental health and illness

● When Stella’s expression changes because she isn’t feeling well, Stanley notices and becomes
concerned to rush her to the hospital

Contrasting views of America and American identity – the conservative South and America’s past (Blanche)
and a more progressive North and America’s future (Stanley)
● New South (Stanley) contrasts with the old south (Blanche) about multiple things:
○ Formal and informal register
○ Blanche is not used to being ‘stood up’
○ She finds Stanley’s violent actions not normal

At least 6 key quotes with detailed analysis

● Dramatic structure
○ No acts, eleven “episodic” scenes with rising dramatic tension/action, the structural role of
the poker games

● Dramatic irony
“Is it because i’ve been stood up by my beau?”
○ Dramatic irony - Stanley and Stella knew the real reason why Mitch is not at Blanche’s
birthday gathering, however Blanche does not know the reason why they are so solemn nor
the reason why Mitch is not here.

● Symbolism/motif
“Coloured lights”
○ The symbolism of the coloured lights and how Stanley and stella enjoy their relationship at
night
“Pig”
○ Stella calling Stanley a pig due to the way he eats and the mess he makes
“I pulled you down off them columns and how you loved it.”
 ○ The columns represent the class ranks, Stella was at the top (high class) and Stanley was at
the bottom (low class) and pulled her down to his level, and expects praise for that

● Costuming
[ripping off his shirt, and changes into a brilliant skill bowling shirt]
○ showcasing how he is leaving to go play bowling.

● Music/sound
[The ‘Varsouviana’ music seals in softly and continues playing]
○ right after Stanley reveals to Blanche that her gift is a ticket back to Laurel.
○ Highlights how after this point Blanche begins to lose track of reality, reverting to her
unstable mind, running to the bathroom (coughing and gagging)
[the ‘Varsouviana’ is heard, its music rising with sinister rapidity]

● Juxtaposition/Contrast
“When we first met, you thought I was common. How right you was, baby. I was common as dirt. You
showed me a snapshot of the place with the columns. I pulled you down off them columns and how
you loved it.”
○ The contrast between Stella and Stanley’s class, the juxtaposition between “Old south value”
and “New South value”. The column refers to the plantation Stella and Blanche’s family
owned. Stella was up there and Stanley is down here, and when Stanley attracted Stella with
his sexual appearance, she fell for him and Stella “loved it”.

● Poetic prose of set design and stage directions

[he hurls his plate at the floor]
[he seizes her arm]
[he leans against the wall, staring insultingly at BLANCHE. She sinks back into her chair with a
frightened look.]
[her look goes suddenly inward as if some interior voice had called her name]
● Through the verbs, Stanleys’s brutal mentality is conveyed as he ‘hurls’, ‘seizes’ and so on

● Use of idiom/diction/register to convey character

○ For. e.g., Compare the formal, elevated/educated, figurative language used by Blanche to
Stanley’s poor grammar and colloquial language.
Scene 9:
Characters :
Blanche:
- Mental health declines.
- ‘Blue piano’ stops and starts throughout the scene.
- Opens up to mitch about her husbands suicide and he flamingo hotel as well as affair
with student.
- Ends with blanche in hysterics after mitch leaves (blue piano playing).
Mitch:
- Confronts Blanche about lying to him all summer and pretending to be someone she
is not.
- Stood his ground.
- Realizes that everything he knew about Blanche was a facade.
What do we learn about the main characters in your key scene?
- Blanche's mental health is at its worst.
- Blanche’s drinking problem declines further
- Blanche is paranoid of people finding out about her drinking issue because it
will ruin her facade.
- The light being off highlights Blanche's insecurities as when Mitch turns it on
she breaks down.
- Mitch’s character develops as he finally builds the courage to confront
Blanche and is faced with the truth that he doesn't know who Blanche is.
How do these characters compare/contrast/serve as foils for each other?
- Blanche’s deceit and lies are revealed when Mitch turns the light on and sees her
true character
- Mitch being pushed off blanche contrasts stanley's similar actions foreshadowing the
next scene.
Do they change or develop in any way? How/why?
- Mitch’s character develops when he builds the courage to confront Blanche, ending
in him having no idea who she really is.
- Blanche is put in the spotlight and her facade is ruined.
Context:
What new insights do we gain into Williams’ context, values, and American society in post
WW2/mid 20th century?
In what ways does Williams reflect or reinforce the conservative social/gender/sexual roles
and values of America in the 1940s and 1950s?
- Blanche continues to hold up the facade of her being a traditional Southern Belle but
her true identity comes to light when Mitch challenges her lies
•How does Williams successfully challenge or subvert traditional social/gender/sexual norms
of his time?
Summary of key plot points
- Blanche's mental health declines as Mitch comes over and confronts her; she
continues to drink away at the liquor to attempt to escape the reality of the
conversation she is about to have.
- Mitch is pulled to reality as he realizes everything Blanche claims about herself is just
a facade by ‘turning on the light’ her facade is destroyed as she is put in the
spotlight.
- Blanche then continues to try and salvage her fictional perception of herself and
maintains control over the situation by kicking Mitch out, ending the scenes breaking
down on the floor.

Quotes
- “The bestial indifference of primeval life” -> Blanche reflecting on the harsh reality
and its inherent brutality.
- “I don't want realism, I want magic!” -> Blanche expresses her preference for illusion
and fantasy over harsh reality.
- “I like it dark, the dark is confronting” “don’t turn the light on”
The light symbolizes her facade breaking as when the light is turned on her fantasies
and delusions become reality by showing her aged skin and showing her true
character.
- *polka tune*
The stopping and starting of the polka tune represents how Blanche is constantly
being brought back to the night her husband died highlighting her guilt suggesting
this is the reason for her lies and deception.
- “What am I looking around here for? Oh, yes - liquor!” [She pretends suddenly to
find the bottle]
Blanche continues to hide her alcohol addiction highlighting her steep mental decline
into madness
- “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.”
Metaphor
Mitch suggests through a metaphor that Blanche is not ‘clean’ enough to be good
enough to meet his mother. This highlights the fact that despite Blanche's attempt to
cleanse herself of her [ast with baths she is still burdened by the guilt of her traumas.
Scene 10:

Dramatic climax of the play- audience is conscious that there will be conflict/friction
between Blanche and Stanley

“…somewhat soiled and crumpled… set in their heels.”

“He still has on the vivid green silk bowling shirt”
 Symbolic costuming
o Blanche ‘soiled’ ‘crumpled’ insinuates that her ‘fantasy’ can no longer conceal
the reality of her mental state.
o Colour symbolism- loss of purity/innocence (soiled white)
 Stanley ‘vivid green’- juxtaposes Blanche- vivid colour represents Stanleys grip of
reality- the vivid nature of his clothing expresses the confronting nature of the truth
which Blanche cannot seem to accept.

“He gives a low whistle”

 Stanley’s actions and description of ‘low’ whistle creates a sexual undertone in this
scene.

“Gosh I thought… he unbuttons his shirt”

 Stanley mocks Blanche through the use of satire- reinforces that he can see through
her deception
 SD reinforce sexual undertone

“This man is from Dallas”

 Repetition of MFD reinforces Blanche’s desire to remain in her fantasy
 Repetition of title juxtaposed with the lack of name reinforces the fantastical nature
of Shep. H (MFD)

“I used to have… teeth”

“The bottle cap… over his head”
 Stan’s anecdote acts as a euphemism + seduction technique
 Bottle + foam is a metaphor for sex

“red-letter night for us both”

 Connotations of sex/sexual desire- colour symbolism- red = lust

“I think of myself as a very very rich woman”

 Ironic- Audience is aware that this is not the truth- Blanche is still consumed by her
fantasy

“But then he came back… my forgiveness.”

 Dramatic irony- audience is aware this is untrue. Stanley (whilst not being present in
S9) can see through Blanche’s fantasy.
“There isn’t a goddam thing but imagination… lies and conceit and tricks!”
 Exclamation reinforces Stan’s anger.
 Rule of 3 reinforces Stanley’s transparent knowledge of Blanches deceit she can’t
conceal herself in fantasy

“You come in here and sprinkle… Queen of the Nile”

 Plosive ‘P’ sound reinforces Stanley’s anger with blanche and her delusions
 Historical Allusion- further reinforces the disconnect between Blanche’s rich fantasy
life + reality.

“The shadows… menacing form”

 Adjective ‘grotesque’ highlights the horror of the situation
 Motif of light + darkness
o Shadows require both light + dark- this combination of Blanche and Stanley
has become horrific.
o Stanley has acted in a way which does not allow Blanche to retreat back into
her fantasy leaving her to be confronted by her harsh reality with no
protection.

“The shadows and lurid… along the wall spaces”

 The shadows /reflections are used to almost mimic the wide array of Blanche’s
fantasies. The fact that they are ‘on the walls’ demonstrates that her lack of reality is
visible to everyone now- Stanley’s overbearing masculinity has reduced her to this.

“In desperate… oh!”

 Repetition highlights Blanche’s desperation + hysteria
 Stanley’s house as a ‘trap’- the trap is not only the fact that he sees through her
fantasy but it is also a sexual trap.

“Brilliant silk pyjamas”

 Symbolic of sexual undertone- wore these on his wedding night.

“You think I’ll.. Ha-ha”

 Interrogative sentence- foreshadows assault on Blanche”

“She smashes a bottle on the table”

“Tiger- tiger…from the beginning”
“She moans. The bottle top falls”
 Tiger- zoomorphic imagery + repetition links to Stanley’s animalistic nature +
embodies traditional dominant (+abusive) power of men- See PPT
 Repetition of ‘drop it’ + SD represents Stans intense power over Blanche (men’s
power over women)- links to sex metaphor + Blanche’s broken delusion (SEE PPT)
Scene 11:

“The atmosphere of the kitchen… poker night”

 Reflection of Scene 3- sense of foreboding

“Blanche opens the bathroom door slightly”

 Adverb choice (slightly) highlights Blanche’s shrunken state- juxtaposes previous
bathroom behaviour

“I don’t know if I did the right thing” DIALOUGE UNTIL “...You’ve got to keep on going” (Stella
and Eunice convo 4 lines)
 Abstract noun ‘story’ rather than ‘fact’ reinforces Blanche’s world + that the people
around her now view everything she says as a story- this leads the audience to feel
sorry for Blanche.

“She has a tragic… of her body”

 Colour symbolism/image of red reinforces Blanche’s sexual allure which is juxtaposed
by her grape monologue- she almost seems unaffected by the assault which is not
true

“I can smell the sea air… die on the sea”

 Imagery + repetition of sea (voyage)= freedom- water = purity- Blanche’s fantasy
reveals her values- she wants to be a passive female wife (gender roles)- the sea as a
way to cleanse her of her sins (and the sins which have been inflicted on her)

“I shall die of eating an unwashed grape”

 Metaphor of death- we don’t know what will cause our. Death

“The cathedral chimes are heard”

 Diegetic sound- emphasises the idea of death- Blanche is going to her death-
foreshadow the downfall of Blanche

“I will be buried at sea… dropped overboard”

 Colour symbolism- white = purity
 Combination of dynamic verb + noun (dropped overboard) can be seen as a
metaphor for Blanche’s decent into madness

“The Varsouviana faintly plays”

 Tension between the past and the present + fantasy/ reality- reflects Blanche’s past +
feeling of regret.

“..no sound but that of Stanley steadily shuffling the cards.”

 Stanley still engaging in masculine gender role- unaffected.

“Lurid reflections.. of the jungle”

 Music becoming warped- pain from the past infiltrating Blanche’s present
  Lighting creates warped shadows- this lighting provides insight into Blanche’s
feelings- confused, haunted, frightened.
 Animal imagery (jungle)

“The greeting is echoed and re-echoed..”

“The echo sounds in threatening whispers”
 Echoing of the sound highlights that Blanche’s true self has been confronted-
permeating her fantasy
 Sound = frightening- reflects Blanche’s mind + what she is feeling

[retreating in panic]… left alone-please!”

 Paused fragments in dialogue express Blanche’s distress.

‘He crosses to the dressing… lantern was herself”

 ‘Seizes’- dynamic verb insinuates violence- Stanley is seen to be forcing the truth on
Blanche through light motif
 She cries out…- truth is frightening for Balance

“Oh, my God, Eunice… What are they doing?”

 Stella= out of control
 Repetition ‘Oh God’- she is highly distressed.

“Quit the blubber”

“Bone headed cry baby”
 Epithet + insults from Stan to Mitch emasculates Mitch- strength of traditional
gender roles.

“Blanche extends her hands… her through the portieres”.

 Blanche’s actions (through SD) highlight her trust in men + desire to be cared for (e.g.
‘gently’, 'supports her’)

“Whoever you are.. of strangers”

 Blanche ends with traditional female values- not even this could save her from her
fate.
 Blanche being led away reinforces the ‘death’ of old southern values.
 Doctor + Stanley force her to confront her reality.

‘She sobs with inhuman abandon”

 Animalistic imagery shows sadness and regret

“He kneels beside her.. opening of her blouse”

 Manipulation through kinaesthetic imagery- sexual undertones.

“The game is a seven card game.”

 Complex ending- everything has gone back to normal
 Desire for companionship not met
 Disturbing end to the play- a tragedy.