Other Characters Flashcards
STEVE
‘This game is seven-card stud.’
Final line of the play
Denouement
Everything has returned to normal. Stanley and Stella’s abusive cycle will continue. The real world has won against Blanche’s fantasies. This indicates that Stanley’s victory is complete. He got rid of Blanche, has Stella and now a son.
STELLA
‘I can hardly stand it when he is away for a night … When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild’
Theme - desire
This showcases the destructive power of desire. It is keeping Stella in her abusive relationship as she is lusting over Stanley. He isn’t good to her but her desires are being satisfied. She suggests that she needs to be with Stanley. Williams is exploring the difference between love and lust.
STELLA
‘They come together with low, animal moans’
Stage directions
Theme - Civilisation vs savagery, desire
It is very apparent that their relationship is built off of sexual attraction. Despite the violence that has just taken place previously, she accepts him with open arms.
STELLA
‘Stanley’s always smashed things… snatched off one of my slippers… smashing the light bulbs… sort of thrilled by it.’
Characterisation
Theme - violence
Stella has become numb to Stanley’s violent outbursts. They are so frequent that she just shrugs it off as if it is perfectly normal. Williams is conveying that following your desires can get you into dangerous situations.
STELLA
‘I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley’
Denouement
Characterisation
Theme - desire
Blanche has told Stella that Stanley raped her but she refuses to believe it despite the fact she knows it’s true. She has made her choice and losing Blanche was a consequence of her actions. The audience notices a shift in her character as some of Blanche’s traits are observed. She refused to accept reality which led to her downfall and now Stella is doing the exact same thing. She is in denial that her husband is a cruel and violent brute.
