Quotes to use for cedar assessment

Question 1

“I don’t want realism. I want magic!”

Answer 1

• This quote encapsulates Blanche’s struggles to adapt to a changing social world, she completely rejects the idea of reality and refuses to face her traumatic past regarding the lose of ‘Belle Reve’ and her husband, thus she refers to her facade of illusions.
  -Ultimately Blanche’s desire for “magic”, reflects the brutal reality of post war America, where the old southern ideology was decaying, as seen through Blanche who attempts to remain gentle and pure, but is ultimately defeated by the newly emerging world

Question 2

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

Answer 2

• In the final line of scene 11, Blanche’s desperation and vulnerability is exposed, her constant need to have man to help maintain her fragile sense of self worth, end in the exposure of her emotional instability and lack of independence.
• Blanche’s role illustrates Post War America, where gender roles were reinforced, and women were expected to be dependent on men, Williams uses this to expose the psychological tole on women from societal expectations