Scene 11: Downbeat Coda Flashcards
What is the significance of Steve having the last line in the play?
- “This game’s Seven Card Stud.”
- Male: power of patriarchy.
- Minor character: lack of extravagant line from main character shows how life moves on in Elysian Fields.
- Poker reference: behaviour of men from Poker Night will be constantly repeated.
- Seven characters remaining by end of play.
How can it be seen from the opening stage directions of this scene that The New South has won?
- “Stella packing Blanche’s things.”
- Atmosphere is described as “same, raw, lurid one of poker night.”
- Stanley/ his friends have dominated with their ever-lasting masculinity.
- Lasting image –> New South aggressive ideals are what win. Williams critiquing this?
Where is Blanche at beginning of this scene? What motif does this continue?
- Bathing: “sound of water heard running in bathroom.”
- Sound devices –> “running”: suggests bath isn’t enough needs her sins/ truth to be wiped off her constantly.
What does Blanche describe she wants to wear in this scene? Significance?
- “yellow silk.” Symbol of cowardice: unable to face her truth (still trying to keep up the facade.)
- “Artifical violets.” –> symbol of death of Old South/ “artificial” –> Blanche’s fantasy.
- “Seahorse.”: Continuing Blanche’s fantasies (rare creatures!!)
- SHOWING BLANCHE’S VANITY
Use of light in scene.
- Blanche standing in “amber light” –> still trying to cover up.
What does Blanche describe her “blue jacket” as? Significance?
- “Della Robbia blue.”
- Colour of Virign Mary. Trying to keep up chaste facade (links to when she showcases that she is: “Virgo the Virgin.”)
Symbols of Blanche’s death/ destruction in scene.
- “Artificial violets”: flowers of her funeral.
- “Cathedral Bells.”
- Williams making Blanche’s destruction clear to show audience what Blanche’s several tragic flaws can lead to - warning audience against them.
Significance of Stanley’s position in this scene.
- “Stanley is shuffling the cards.”
- Symbol of how Stanley is game master, controlling everything around him.
- Williams highlighting New South’s oppressive control from men.
What does Stanley do to the paper lantern and how does Blanche respond?
- “tearing it off the light bulb.” –> aggression/ “deliberate cruelty.”
- “She cries as if the lantern were herself.” –> Williams’ suggesting not to rely on fantasy like Blanche does.
- Replaying of the rape.
How does doctor act to Blanche and how does she respond?
- “takes off his hat.”
- Gentleman caller to Blanche.
- “She allows him to lead her as if she were blind” –> “blind” by the truth. unable to process. Too trusting of people who treat her nicely (her fatal flaw!)
How can we deduce that the new baby is a boy? Significance of this?
- “pale blue blanket.”
- Continuing Stanley’s legacy/ carrying forward Stanley’s toxic masculininity.
- Williams critiquing the unfortunate power these men have, encouraging audiences to do something so people like Blanche aren’t “destroyed.”
What famous line does Blanche say in this scene?
- “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” (links to scene 3 when she tells Mitch: “I need kindness now.”)
- She cares too much about what other people think about her/ isn’t genuine.
Stage devices used
“lurid reflections.”: Unnatural light. Blanche’s fantasy has been twisted to negative delusion - has no sense of reality.
“cries and noises of jungle.” Violence of Elysian Fields is crystal clear now. Walls caving in on her.
What important music plays in this scene?
- “Varsouviana.”
- Played when Grey died. Shows that ever since the death, Blanche has been mentally suffering/ doomed to destruction. SYMPATHY.
- All in her head: mental decline.
Significance of Blanche’s monologue about dying on the sea.
- “Die of eating unwashed grape.” Her delusion/ mental decline. - - Romanticised death vs harsh reality of “death” she is actually facing.
- Dropped in “clean white sac” –> purity/ innocence.
- Recalls Allan’s eyes.
- Water of sea will cleanse her.
- Williams’ showing how out of tune with reality Blanche really is.
