Scene 10 Flashcards
> plastic theatre nuance
element in psychological regression
state of costume - symbol of loss of dignity/ social standing
final act of self preservation - resorts to ‘queen’ fantasy
tragic irony - still opts for 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 >subtle fatalism
disturbing scene
mental collapse - extent of her self loathing/ shame
‘fallen woman’ >succumbed to societal disdain
“she slams the mirror down with such violence that the glass cracks”
> S initial demeanour buoyant and dynamic
“grinning amiably”
“honkytonk music”
> plays along with B’s excuses
not normal behaviour
infantilization
pinnacle of triumph - he finds humour in her lies
“The one that gave you the white fox pieces!”
> scene one parallel
asserts dominance through raw masculinity
parallel reflects escalation of power throughout play
“he unbuttons his shirt”
> fear response
Stanley undeniable predator to her
“hands knotted together”
> no possibility of reconciliation - continuing his psychological assault
keeping her off balance >deliberately confusing, disarming
“Shall we bury the hatchet and make it a loving-cup?”
> beer = drink of working class
recreating 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 metaphor for his male legacy
creation of new generation to continue his success
“You’ve got a son! I’ll tear this off and wave it like a flag!”
> B’s insult immediately shifts S’s demeanour
catalyst to subsequent abuse
“casting my pearls before swine!”
> cry out - physical pain
lies are extension of herself
destroying them and her
Blanche’s repetition of “Oh!”
> irony - earlier stage directions (mirror breaking)
tragedy of character - S unable to see her own disgust in herself/ suffering
“Take a look at yourself”
> Blanche threatening Stanley’s role in domestic hierarchy
echoes “Every man is King”
usurping any power/ control she may have had
“What Queen do you think you are!”
> inner turmoil reflected in external world
expressionistic stage directions
rape is nightmarish fantasy
controversy - takes away from the realism of the event
“lurid reflections”
“grotesque and menacing”
“inhuman voices”
blue piano morphing into locomotive
> rapes her wedding night clothes
element for own sexual gratification rather than power
sexual frustrations around Blanche
“in the brilliant silk pyjamas”
> Blanche’s world drowned out by Stanley’s
“blue piano begins to drum up loader. The sound of it turns into the roar of an approaching locomotive”
> defence item part of Stanley’s world
“she smashes a bottle on the table and faces him, clutching the broken top”
> tragedy - justified through fate
Blanche doomed tragic hero
disturbing - ordinary family men can be rapists and still gain audience sympathy
“We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning”
> Southern Belle raped by cruelty of modern society
symbolise industrialization process
audience query Stanley
W “The rapist would go unpunished”
most dramatic victimization
possesses/ lays claim over her social status
the rape
