ASND Blanche Flashcards
Give context for the quote “something about her white clothes that suggested a moth”
The sexual revolution during WW2 began with the “silent generation” of the 40s
Link critical theory to the quote “something about her white clothes suggested a moth”
PETRE CASH- “TW comes very close to endorsing the paradoxyl idea that sexual enjoyment is ultimately psychological”
“Blanche has a psychological comfort knowing she’s approved off”
Explain the quote “something about her white clothes suggested a moth”
TW uses a combination of colour imagery and animalistic imagery
to elude Blanches humerus pretences
and to ultimately foreshadow the influencing action
that stimulates her down fall
“something about her white clothes suggested a moth”
Explore the noun “moth”
Unlike butterflies they don’t bear strong harsh colours which often symbolise sexual desire and attraction
Fainter colours instead- representation
and the subsequent link which duller colours potentially symbolise effects of her past lust- guilt of Alan’s death and warning against mental demise
ALTERNATIVELY- moths attracted to light where they are subsequently killed- light presented as a metaphorical symbol for truth
Suggesting that through subtle euphemism TW is foreshadowing Blanches mental demise as he hints that she will be metaphorically killed due to exposure to reality
This eludes to Blanches Jesse oath to take refugee in illusion in order to survive - MOTH= WINGS TO FLY- FIGHT OR FLIGHT
“something about her white clothes suggested a moth”
Explore “white clothes”
Colour imagery- bears connotations of innocence and purity
Clothes- act ask mask as they prevent from seeing person fully-barrier between illusion and reality
Give context for “But sister Blanche is no Lilly”
After WW2 Americans turned to religion to make sense of the world
Link critical theory to “But sister Blanche is no Lilly”
Stanley’s subconscious meaning behind his insults support Mary Ann’s idea that
“the conflict between Blanche and Stanley is an externalisation of the conflict that goes on within Blanche between illusion and reality”
Explain the quote “But sister Blanche is no Lilly”
Stanley plays on the association between purity and the colour white- despite what her name suggests (Blanche=white) Blanche is not morally pure
“But sister Blanche is no Lilly”
Explore “Lilly”
Symbolise virginity, purity and rebirth
“Flower of death”- associated with funerals, symbolise that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death
Stanley subconsciously hints Blanche will not get this as her soul is too impure
“But sister Blanche is no Lilly”
Explore “sister”
Irony/sarcasm- mocks her past attempts of bathing in order to desperately try to cleanse herself of her odious history
Explain “Samson! Go on, lift me”
Blanche casts Mitch as a biblical character who holds power in his hair
By doing this she unknowingly cats herself as the seductress that cuts his hair stripping him off his power, dehlila
Foreshadowment- exact scenario plays out
Presented in scene 11- mitches bipolar nature- goes from “[he lunges and strikes at stanly]” to “[mitch collapses at the table, sobbing]”
Exposes how Mitch had the potential to be strong but it was drained from him by Blanche
“Samson! Go on, lift me”
Explain the imperative “lift me”
Exposes Blanches entire outlook/view of her n mitches relationship
Sees mitches childlike vulnerability and takes advantage like she has with others
Makes her feel powerful and elevated- she needs Mitch to “lift” her as she is slowly losing poser in every other aspect of her life off which she feeds off
Therefore blanches abusive nature originated from her desperately trying to hold onto her sanity - she is nothing without her power
IRONIC- in this line she menacingly deceived Mitch into thinking he hee power right before giving him a demand
Give context for
“Samson! Go on, lift me”
War began the rise of toxic masculinity so makes sense Blanche feeds into this fake power dynamic as past of her illusion to manipulate Mitch
Link critical theory to
“Samson! Go on, lift me”
Biljana- Blanche is both the “symbol and antithesis of southern belle stereotype”
