Scene 10, Symbols & Connotations

Question 1

Silk pyjamas

Answer 1

This is what Stanley wore on his wedding night and hence these are symbolic of his passion; they represent the vibrant vitality of his society. Thus, it helps to foreshadow the rape of Blanche not only due to the fact that this is what he wore during his first night of passion with Stella but also because Williams wants to show the violent aspect of this society. It is somewhat repulsive however, that Stanley chooses to wear these pyjamas whilst raping his wife’s sister, the night before his child is born. He is at the peak of his manhood, more triumphant then ever, which may the reason why he feels the need to once again exert and show off his power in some way.

Question 2

Beer Bottles

Answer 2

Initially, the audience sees Stanley bringing “some quart beer bottles” which is intended to indicate that he may be inebriated. We see a glimpse of William’s foreshadowing the rape when he says ‘This is all I’m going to undress right now’ as he ‘rips the sack off a quart beer-bottle’. However, the beer bottle is more significant at the end of the scene where Blanche “smashes a bottle on the table and faces him, clutching the broken top”. Alcohol is one way that Blanche is able to escape reality and believe that she is her illusory dream. Thus, the breaking of the bottle may be indicative of how Stanley has broken the very foundations of her dream and “clutching the broken top” shows just how little she to hold on to; if she suffers any further, her desires will drive her insane.

Question 3

Tiger

Answer 3

In Stanley’s last line of the scene, he describes Blanche as a “Tiger”. The connotations of this word reflect Stanley’s view of Blanche. Primarily, it instils in the minds of the audience the impression that Blanche is a predator who seizes any opportunity available in order to get what she wants. However, from a feminist perspective, one could interpret Stanley’s use of the word “Tiger”, a physically strong and imposing animal, as an indicator of the mental strength required for a woman to break through in the patriarchal, animalistic society that Stanley represents.