Scene 11 Quotes Flashcards
How does Williams show the way in which Blanche continues to use her imagination to cope with the harsh reality of her situation?
Stella: “I— just told her— we’d made arrangements for her to rest in the country. She’s got it mixed up in her mind with Shep Huntleigh.”
It is implied that at this point, Blanche’s mental state has deteriorated so much to the point where she can’t separate her imagination from reality. This shows how much Blanche has continued to cling to her delusions, emphasising the trauma of what happened in scene 10.
What does Stella say which demonstrates how she chose Stanley over Blanche?
“I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley.”
In an interesting turn of events, Stella solves her internal conflict of having to choose between her sister and her husband by concluding that Blanche’s claims against Stanley were lies or delusions. This demonstrates how she feels the need to go against her sister and stay with her abusive husband in order to survive in this society. There may also be a little irony in the fact that Stella is now forced to believe in lies and delusions in order to cope with the decisions she’s made, the same way that Blanche had to. These women just can’t win bro 😔
How does Williams use the Varsouviana polka to further emphasise Blanche’s trauma?
[She has a tragic radiance in her red robe…The “Varsouviana” rises audibly as Blanche enters the bedroom.]
The “tragic radiance” of her robe foreshadows the tragic ending that Blanche is about to face. This “tragic radiance” is arguably something that only the actors would pick up on, displaying how Williams wants Blanche to be deeply understood by the actors as a tragic character.
The reappearance of the Varsouviana is also significant. Because Williams has already established how Blanche associates this tune with trauma, the fact that it plays when she enters the bedroom implies that Blanche now associates the bedroom with her trauma, and this is because of what Stanley did to her in that room.
How does Williams show that Blanche still feels the need to create unrealistic and fantastical expectations of herself in order to survive?
Eunice: “What a pretty blue jacket”
Stella: “it’s lilac coloured”
Blanche: “You’re both mistaken. It’s Delia Robbie Blue. The blue of the robe in old Madonna pictures.”
Blue is often associated with tranquility, which could symbolises Blanche’s desperation to feel relaxed and happy. Blanche’s association of this blue with ‘Madonna’ also highlights her desperation and/or persistence in the idea that she is a rational, functioning woman who fits perfectly into this society. This is because Madonna, who featured in many Italian paintings, was known for being “the perfect woman.” This was because she was known for being both a virgin and a mother, which is impossible. This further emphasises the idea that Blanche is striving for the impossible by persisting that she can be compared to ‘Madonna’, while also highlighting the unrealistic and contradictory expectations placed onto women by society.
Which stage direction demonstrates Blanche’s trust in Eunice and Stella?
[..She lets them push her into a chair.]
This adds to the tragedy element of Blanche’s character, as both Eunice and Stella are contributing to Blanche’s downfall. This idea is also emphasised by the fact that Stella seems somewhat responsible for Blanche’s fate, as she exclaims later in the scene:
“What have I done to my sister?”
What does the Matron say which, to an extent, dehumanise Blanche?
Matron: “These fingernails need to be trimmed”
In this line, Blanche is treated more like an animal or an object than a person. The fact that Blanche is the passive subject of this statement, as she needs to “be trimmed” rather than trim her nails her self, shows the lack of agency she is granted by the matron and the doctor. This is a further indication about how Blanche’s fate is cruel, as the agency and control over herself which she had earlier in the play, has now been robbed from her.
Which stage direction further implies that Stanley has gotten exactly what he wanted?
[Eunice descends to Stella and places the child in her arms. It is wrapped in a pale blue blanket.]
The fact that the child is wrapped in a blue blanket implies that it is a boy, which could emphasise Stanley’s victory as, throughout the play, Stanley assumed that he would have a son. The fact that Stanley has both his son, and has forced Blanche out of the house thus further portrays his victory.
Which stage direction portrays Stanley’s lack of empathy for Stella, as well as his sexual desires?
[He kneels beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse.]
This shows his selfishness, as Stanley seems less concerned with Stella’s emotional anguish and more concerned with his own desires. This also reinforces the fact that men can indulge in their desires freely, while women like Blanche are completely penalised and destroyed for doing the same thing.
