Scene 11 Flashcards
> symbolizes attempt to wash away trauma >more poignant after rape
desires refuge from the Kowalski’s apartment environment
“Sound of water can be heard running in the bathroom”
> parallel tableau to scene 3 (similar emotional climaxes and pivotal events) - stagnancy
Stanley has power >Blanche powerless
survival of the fittest/ social darwinism - Stanley’s world prevails
“The same raw lurid one of the disastrous poker night”
> self-made man ideal (‘war hero’) aligns with post-war working class experience of American dream
Blanche’s fate heavily pins on her inability to adopt these worldviews
allusion to war victories (Salerno)
“Luck is believing your lucky”
“Take at Salerno”
“To hold front position in this rat race”
> Stanley immature level of understanding of relationships
wilfully ignorant to the struggle of Stella/ Mitch in situation
“What’s the matter with her?”
> Stella’s survival depends on denial - unable to leave Stanley’s protection
no viable alternative - gender roles/ female constriction
must rationalize and suppress suffering to maintain stability
Williams’ critique of social complicity - women accept injustice for the sake of stability
decision framed as tragic yet inevitable
“I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley”
“Life has got to go on”
> stagecraft of moments leading up to realisation accentuate fragility of her grip on reality
anxiety and anticipation >Blanche’s ‘madness’ currently dormant, knowledge will trigger it - disaster is inevitable
“Varsouviana rises audibly”
“Varsouviana faintly plays”
“Drums sound very softly”
> hyperbolic melodrama
fragmented state of mind
desires dignity in death - imagines beautiful, theatrical death
water has symbolic significance eg. bathing
ocean represents ultimate escape and release from suffering
tragic irony - wants a gentle death, gets institutionalized
deep craving for sympathy and understanding
Blanche monologue
“I shall die of eating an unwashed grape”
> Mitch act of defiance against Stanley’s orchestration
physical representation of guilt/ shame
“Mitch, who remains seated”
> literal and allegorical control over the ‘game’ >Blanche removed, regained Stella
Stanley’s world will continue unaffected/ indifferent
“No sounds but of Stanley steadily shuffling the cards”
> proxemics same as scene 10
accentuates ultimate control over Blanche’s situation
institution serves as a continuation of the assault
no one intervenes - complete failure of Blanche’s loved ones
“Rises as if to block her way”
> multiple scene 10 parallels - grabbing objects for protection, retreating back (trapped)
distorting of reality - Blanche’s insanity always exacerbated by Stanley’s intervention
“Lurid reflections”
“Varsouviana filtered into weird distortion”
“Jungle”
“Seizes back of a chair as if to defend herself”
“Threatening whispers”
“Retreating in panic”
> symbolically destroys her last line of defence >tragedy - no comfort in final moments
public humiliation
final erasure >psychological victory
feels physical pain -illusions were her lifeline, distinction between madness and sanity
raw, unfiltered truth of his worldview has won
“Seizes the paper lantern”
“Tearing it off the lightbulb”
“She cries out as if the lantern was herself”
> Stella’s immediate overwhelm of regret
knows she is wronging Blanche
protest is weak -reinforces tragedy of her inaction
moment of inner conflict - weight of choice momentarily dawns on her
“Don’t let them do that to her”
> scene 3 contrast - avoiding instead of inserting herself
resumes performance in public - attempt to maintain dignified
“Must we go through that room?”
“Please don’t get up. I’m only passing through.”
> breakdown is brief - does not act on guilt
pain she feels in this moment ultimately insignificant
chooses to push truth aside and resume role as Stanley’s wife.
tragic reminder - even those who feel guilt can be complicit in injustice >sometimes survival requires self-deception.
“Oh, God, what have I done to my sister?”
> final retreat into delusion - believes Doctor is chivalrous rescuer
frames her removal a dignified, borderline romantic ordeal
tragic irony of ‘kindness’ - dependence always met with exploitation - institution will continue
ultimate feminine tragedy - no power left except how she chooses to perceives her fate
“Whoever you are I have always depended on the kindness of strangers”
> Stella’s emotional release - moment of catharsis
relief from pressure of inner conflict
paradoxical comfort in her surrender to suffering - the price she pays for love for Stanley
release of responsibility
tragic duality - both pain and pleasure in her emotional submission
“Sobs with inhuman abandon”
“Luxurious”
“Complete surrender”
> response is sex
deflects emotional complexity
distracts Stella with sex instead of grounding her through grief
cycle of violence and reconciliation
“Finds the opening of her blouse”
> seven card stud symbolises unchangeable reality - play with cards you are dealt/ can’t draw new cards
Stanley ultimate victor
line delivered in indifferent manner - casual statement
life will continue unchanged
“This game is seven card stud”
“Returning silently to their places”
