Scene 11 Flashcards
symbolizes her attempt to wash away her trauma - emphasised now by her complete mental breakdown after Stanley’s rape
reminds us how the refuge she desires as a result of being in the house
“sound of water can be heard running in the bathroom”
parallel tableau to scene 3 - stagnancy
Stanley still holds power and Blanche remains powerless
similar emotional climaxes and pivotal events
survival of the fittest/ social Darwinism - Stanley’s world prevails and Blanche is banished
“the same raw lurid one of the disastrous poker night”
self-made man ideal
philosophy aligns with post-war working class experience of the American dream
another reminder that Blanche’s fate heavily pins on her inability to adopt these worldviews
allusion to war victories - ‘war hero’ hugely ties into the ideology and male dominance
“Luck is believing your lucky”
“Take at Salerno”
“To hold front position in this rat race”
Stanley lacks empathy and understanding of relationships - isn’t supporting Stella and is wilfully ignorant to the idea that this situation is difficult for any of the other characters
“what’s the matter with her?”
Stella and Eunice dialogue - survival depends on the denial of Blanche’s claim
believing would mean leaving Stanley and his protection - unable to do so
there is no viable alternative - gender roles/ female constriction
endure, rationalize, and suppress their suffering to maintain stability
Williams’ critique of social complicity - women accept injustice for the sake of stability - normalises it - decision framed as both tragic yet inevitable
“I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley”
“Life has got to go on”
moments leading up to Blanche’s realisation at who is here - stage crafting to accentuate the fragility of Blanche’s grip on reality - sense of anxiety and anticipation at how her madness is only dormant right now + with the knowledge of what they have decided to do with her, a disaster is inevitable
“Varsouviana rises audibly”
“Varsouviana faintly plays”
“drums sound very softly”
hyperbolic melodrama
fragmented state of mind
desires dignity in death - imagines a beautiful, almost theatrical death
water symbolic significance (blanche bathing) ocean reps ultimate escape and release from suffering
tragic irony - wants a gentle death - deep craving for sympathy and understanding but the reality is the opposite
Blanche monologue
“I shall die of eating an unwashed grape”
Mitch’s shame is physically debilitating - more realistic reaction?
“Mitch, who remains seated”
literal and allegorical control over the ‘game’ - Blanche is removed, Stella sided with him
Stanley’s world will continue unaffected/ indifferent
“no sounds but of Stanley steadily shuffling the cards”
proxemics/ dynamics are the same as scene 10
repetition of his physical position accentuates his ultimate control over Blanche’s situation
institution serves as a continuation of the assault enables or extends their victimization.
complete failure of those around Blanche to protect her - no one intervenes
rises as if to block her way
multiple scene 10 parallels - grabbing inanimate objects for protections, retreating back (trapped)
distorting of reality - Blanche’s insanity is always exacerbated by Stanley’s intervention
“Lurid reflections”
“varsouviana filtered in to werid distortion”
“jungle”
“seizes back of the chair”
“threatening whispers”
“retreating in panic”
symbolically destroys her last line of defence - doesn’t even allow her comfort in her final moments
public humiliation and final erasure - psychological victory
as devastating to her as physical violence - her illusions were her lifeline and the difference between madness and sanity
raw, unfiltered truth - his worldview has won and Blanche’s has been obliterated
“seizes the paper lantern”
“tearing it off the lightbulb”
“she cries out as if the lantern was herself”
Stella’s immediate overwhelm of guilt following Blanche’s distraught
she knows she is wronging Blanche
moment of inner conflict and regret - protest is weak which reinforces the tragedy of her inaction
weight of her choice momentarily dawns on her
“don’t let them do that to her”
contrast to scene 3 - now avoiding them when before she tried to insert herself in their world
as soon as she is in public she resumes the performance - trying to maintain dignified
“must we go through that room?”
“please don’t get up. I’m only passing through.”
Williams does not allow Stella to act on her guilt—her breakdown is brief, and the play ends with her holding her baby while Stanley comforts her. This suggests that, no matter how much pain she feels in this moment, she will ultimately push the truth aside and continue life as Stanley’s wife. Her breakdown is a tragic reminder that even those who feel guilt can be complicit in injustice, and sometimes survival requires self-deception.
