Scene 3 Flashcards
‘The Poker Night’
this scene is the only one with a title, perhaps indicating its significance within the play. in this scene, there is the division of the competitive male world of the poker game, and the female world in which relationships seem more important than competition.
‘There is a picture of Van Gogh’s of a billiard-parlour at night.’
underlines the significance of the visual elements of this scene - of light and harsh primary colours. this may reflect the men’s harsh masculinity.
dramatic purpose of the poker party
to demonstrate Stanley’s dominance over his own friends: he makes all of the decisions in their game. the scene shows their devotion to him - perhaps in awe of his physical prowess - through their tender handlings of him when he is drunk. ‘They speak quietly and lovingly to him’
the sequence of cause and effect
may be traced in Stanley’s drunken rage when he hits Stella. Her returning to him that same night is further proof of the strength of her passion, in which his violent behaviour is part of the attraction.
Blanche’s hysterical determination to take Stella away from Stanley is not forgotten nor forgiven, and seems to make him all the more determined to be rid of her. This, then, may be what drives the conflict between the two. in Elia Kazan’s director’s notes, he created a ‘spine’ or ‘super-objective’ for each character: Stanley’s was to preserve and protect his family situation
the Chinese lantern
a symbol of Blanche’s refusal to face the ugly reality of her life
a sympathetic portrayal of Blanche
in order for the play to work as a tragedy, Williams needs to make audiences sympathise with Blanche. “I need kindness now” generates pathos for Blanche - we have all felt a need for kindness. This may be argued to be Williams’ appeal on Blanche’s behalf for the audience to understand and pity her… the 1940s audience especially would have required convincing.
“This is my house and I’ll talk as much as I want to!”
Stella’s short-lived defiance against Stanley. He reinstates his dominance over the house as he hits Stella and wins her back.
‘Blanche moves back into the streak of light’
Blanche’s seductive posturing will be remembered when Stanley reveals her promiscuous past. To her, such behaviour is instinctive when there are men around.
Her behaviour underlines the contradictions in her character: Wlliams presents her both as the Southern lady who expects men to stand up when she enters, and a cheap seductress.
“I can’t stand a naked lightbulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.”
“teaching profession”
Mitch talks to Blanche in a formal manner, treating her in the way Blanche expects to be treated as a Southern Belle and playing alogn with her chaste fantasy.
‘Blanche waltzes to the music with romantic gestures. Mitch is delighted and moves in awkward imitation like a dancing bear’
Despite Mitch appearing more “sensitive” than the other men, Williams still uses the very same animal imagery that he uses to characterise Stanley.An intrinsic link is created between Mitch and Stanley through this zoomorphism: Mitch’s masculine aggression is simply revealed later.
“Poker should not be played in a house with women”
‘Her eyes go blind with tenderness’
