Scene 2

Question 1

symbolic of her need for emotional cleansing - ritualistic
irritating habit - stifling, humid, self-serving

Answer 1

bathing motif
“she’s soaking in a hot tub to quiet her nerves.”

Question 2

using it as a means of est. status + cementation in the modern South
Ironic as he is actually ignorant to legal technicalities and parallels Blanche’s creation of a false reality

Answer 2

napoleonic code

Question 3

class antagonism - Stanley wrongly identifies Blanche’s clothes.
Parallel to Blanche as he only chooses to accept his version of reality and ignores Stella’s explanations and voice of reason.

Answer 3

“A crown for an Empress!”
“The treasure chest of a pirate!”

Question 4

Biblical allusion to ‘Scarlet Woman’ in the book of revelation.
Blanche is a ‘fallen woman’ and represents temptation and moral degradation.
Blanche’s reliance on seduction as a tool for survival.
Contrast between Blanche deliberately weaponizing her sexuality and the physical manifestation of her role in society - viewed as a temptress and a whore

Answer 4

Blanche puts on a red satin robe

Question 5

Length of Blanche’s destitution is revealed.
Decaying Southern Belle still trying to maintain her external appearance of wealth.

Answer 5

“Everything I own is in that trunk.”

Question 6

Proxemics used - Stanley needs his status acknowledged
Blanche is completely powerless and her attempts at charming him with performative behaviours have failed entirely.

Answer 6

Blanche on the floor gathering them up

Question 7

Blanche still believes herself to be superior to Stanley, just as he does of her. All her cordialities are rendered futile as it becomes clear that she is almost disgusted by him. She isn’t attracted to him and she doesn’t desire him - this completely emasculates him.
Perhaps her aversion does stem from her Old-South privilege, but either way it is a large stab at Stanley’s ego.

Answer 7

“Now that you’ve touched them I’ll burn them”
“The touch of your hands insults them!”

Question 8

Blanche’s dry humour again emasculates him - she is witty and intellectual, another representation of her inherited upper class status.
Stanley attempts to take back control by shocking Blanche with the news of the pregnancy - his desire to intimidate and maintain power over Blanche is greater than his respect/ affection for Stella.

Answer 8

“Present them to him with a box of aspirin tablets”
Stanley becomes “somewhat sheepish”
“Especially now that she’s going to have a baby”