Scene 10 Flashcards
plastic theatre nuance
another element in her psychological regression
state of the costume - symbol of her loss of dignity and former social standing
final act of self-preservation - resorting to a queen fantasy
tragic irony - still opts for a final performance over facing the truth
“somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown”
“she is placing the rhinestone tiara on her head”
superstitious bad luck - subtly introducing fatality of Blanche’s demise
disturbing scene and reflects her mental collapse - communicates the extent to which her self loathing reaches - pity?
“she slams the mirror down with such violence that the glass cracks”
Stanley’s initial demeanour is buoyant and dynamic - music reflects
“grinning amiably”
“honkytonk music”
Stanley plays along with Blanche’s instantaneous excuse - incongruous to his normal behaviour
infantilization
pinnacle of his triumph - he finds humour in her blatant lies
“The one that gave you the white fox pieces!”
stage directions parallel to scene 1
physical strips away any pretence - asserts dominance through raw masculinity
the parallel reflects the escalation of his power
“he unbuttons his shirt”
fear response
Stanley as an undeniable predator to Blanche
“hands knotted together”
knows there is not possibility of reconciliation - continuing his psychological assault on her, keeping her off balance and unable to regain any sense of security
deliberately confusing her, disarming her
“Shall we bury the hatchet and make it a loving-cup?”
beer: drink of the working class American citizen
foam parallels champagne - recreating a moment of upper class expression of joy
class doesn’t restrain him
“Stanley laughs happily, holding the bottle up over his head”
“geyser of foam”
heir = personal victory
flag becomes a metaphor for the male legacy he is passing on
patriarchal society in which he feels entitled to be the central figure of authority and pride
creation of a new generation that will continue the cycle of hard work and achievement that defines his version of success
“You’ve got a son! I’ll tear this off and wave it like a flag!”
Blanche’s insult towards Stanley and Mitch immediately shifts his demeanour
Catalyses his bombard of abuse and degradation at her
Dramatic tension
“casting my pearls before swine!”
Stanley’s attacks cause her to cry out as if physically in pain
her lies are an extension of herself and he is destroying them
Blanche’s repetition of “Oh!”
Irony in this - earlier stage directions (mirror breaking) we know Blanche is equally as disgusted in herself as Stanley is
“Take a look at yourself”
reinforces Blanche as threatening Stanley’s role in the domestic hierarchy
echoes his “Every man is King” - he is triumphing over usurping any power/ control over the environment she once had
“What Queen do you think you are!”
her inner turmoil is reflected in the external world
expressionistic stage directions - implicitly display the rape is a nightmarish fantasy for Blanche
Controversy - takes away from the realism of the event
“lurid reflections”
“grotesque and menacing”
“inhuman voices”
“prostitute has rolled a drunkard”
“negro woman appears around the corner with a sequined bag the prostitute had dropped”
blue piano morphing into locomotive
he rapes her in the clothes he wore on his wedding night - sick desire for Blanche
Element of this act that is for his own sexual gratification rather than pure power - grappling with his sexual frustrations around Blanche
adds to the perversity of this scene - Ao3 - extremely controversial at the time, Williams had to fight for it to be including in the film adaptation
“in the brilliant silk pyjamas”
