Scene 1 Analysis Flashcards
How is Blanche’s journey both literal and allegorical in New Orleans?
She has ridden Desire to the end of the line
and hit rock bottom before arriving here
What does Blanche’s nervousness at Eunice’s questions indicate?
- something to hide in her past
- more to her seemingly innocent appearance than meets the eye
What does Blanche’s concealed drinking show?
- her desire to escape reality
- she is very concerned with keeping her delicate surface appearance intact
What does Blanche’s disapproval of Stella’s lifestyle show?
Blanche’s own self of superiority
Her words are directly opposite to her actions
What does Blanche’s commentary on Stella’s body and appearance draw a contrast between?
the physical life that Stella has chosen and the dream world that Blanche desperately wants to inhabit
What does Blanche’s disparaging comments about the mixed social class show Blanche try to do?
cling to her prior social status
What does the loss of Belle Reve, the ‘beautiful dream’, represent?
the loss of Blanche and Stella’s previous way of life
How are Blanche and Stanley seen as direct opposites?
fluttering, insubstantial, pale vs robest, muscular specimen
sun and moon
Blanche may be able to hid her alcoholism from devoted Stella, but not from Stanley
What musical motifs appear in the first scene? And what do they symbolise?
blue piano - smbolises section of New Orleans that Stella lives in
the polka - that she is haunted by her dead husband
How is Blanche’s vulnerability shown? How does the audience feel about this?
through her vanity and need of flattery
they feel pathos for Blanche: Blanche is afraid of growing old and losing her look, she needs flattery to banish her terrors
How does Tennessee Williams build up Blanche’s characterisation?
through her relations and reactions to other characters
How does Williams introduce Stanley? What quote goes with this?
he does not fully introduce the entire personality of Stanley, he only touches on the sexual magnetism that explains Stella’s infatuation
‘gaudy seed-bearer’
How does Williams characterise Stella?
There is little description beyond ‘a gentle young woman’
What does Williams’ stage directions add to the scene?
- evocative
- precise is use of imagery
- inevitably stand in contrast to the language used by most of the character on the stage (excepting Blanche and Stella) - serves to underlined the uneducated speech of those on stage
- draws attention to the two main characters in the play, Stella and Stanley
How does Williams’ stage directions describe the difference between Blanche and Stanley?
Blanche: unsuitably dressed for a garden party (white suit with manner suggesting a moth)
Stanley: ‘gaudy seed bearer’, proudly aware of his masculinity
