Scene 4

Question 1

How does Stella describe Stanley to have treated her after he slapped her?

Answer 1

• She says: “he was as good as a lamb.”
• Simile.
• Shows innocence of Stanley.
• Animalistic imagery though –> animal behaviour is right in front of her but she is blinded by infatuation

Question 2

How is Stella described in opening stage directions of scene?

Answer 2

• “face is serene.” Is she putting on a facade OR is she actually relaxed with Stanley?
• “narcotized tranquility.” Has been drugged by Stanley’s masuline bravado that she is sexually attracted to.
• Semantic field of relaxation.

Question 3

How is Blanche described in the stage directions of this scene? What does this show?

Answer 3

• “presses knuckles nervously to her lips.”
• “she rubs her forehead.” –> he makes her nervous Anxiety even SIMPLY SPEAKING about Stanley.
• Contrasts her confident nature in previous scenes –> geneuine concern for Stella/ scared BY Stanley.
• Tries to cover her mouth and not say anything (but finds this too difficult!!)

Question 4

How is it clear that Stella is used to Stanley’s violence?

Answer 4

• Said on wedding night, he smashed all lightbulbs with her “slipper” and she was “thrilled by it.”
• She likes the adventure with Stanley/ doesn’t see him as a threat. Stella = child- like in her infatuation with Stanley.

Question 5

Significance of Blanche retorting to Stella that her behaviour is like a new “Chinese philosophy.”

Answer 5

• Derogetory towards specific races.
• Just like she was derogatory to Stanley: “isn’t that Irish.”
• Closed off from different cultures.

Question 6

What is the significance of Stella “twirling the broom in her hands?”

Answer 6

• Image of her living in a fantasy world with strong love for Stanley (not thinking about reality of abuse there.)
• Fine with adhering to domestic role as a house wife in the 50’s.

Question 7

Significance of Blanche writing details about Shep Huntleigh on “sheet of Kleenex”- using an “eyebrow pencil.”

Answer 7

• Kleenex (used to wipe tears): sad reality that Huntleigh doesn’t exist.
• Shows Blanche’s chaos/ nervous nature in situation (doesn’t even know what to write with.)
• Also shows temporary nature of Shep Huntleigh (Kleenex = temporary.)
• Makeup = false/ can easily be wiped off. Just like Shep Huntleigh is false and his existence will be easily forgotten.

Question 8

Give 2 reasons why Stella could be happy with Stanley.

Answer 8

• She is sexually pleased by him.
• She is financially pleased by him.

Question 9

How is it clear that Stanley has financial control over Stella?

Answer 9

• Stella says that “Stanley doesn’t give her a regular allowance but gave (her) ten dollars to smooth things over.”
• Metaphor: to smooth over her thoughts/ manipulate Stella.
• Financial depdency (that women would have in 1950’s.)
• Paying her directly after having sex (prostituting Stella?)

Question 10

Significane of Blanche telling Stella that the only way to deal with Stanley is to “go to bed with him, that’s (Stella’s job) not mine.

Answer 10

• “Job”: Transactional, almost as if it appears that Stella is being paid to sleep with Stanley. In Blanche’s view Stella could not continue to be with him if it wasn’t for her fulfillment of sexual desires.

Question 11

Metaphor of Stella asking Blanche “have you ever ridden on that streetcar?”

Answer 11

• Stella asking Blanche if she has been victim of desire and lust like Stella is.
• Blanche saying its bought her here suggests her sexual desires have brought her here. Perhaps prositituion?

Question 12

Significance of the way that Stanley enters the scene.

Answer 12

• “under the cover of the train’s noise, Stanley enters.”
• Predatory image of animal finding cover before attacking (Stanley’s animalisitc nature conveyed.)

Question 13

How does Blanche describe Stanley in her monologue?

Answer 13

• Uses animal imagery throughout. “like an animal”/ “ape- like.” Stanley’s primitive nature compared to gentleman callers.
• “survivor of Stone Age” - Ironic that representation of New South is regressive rather than progressive.
• Short/ snappy sentences: Stanley makes her so nervous –> loses all poise to her sentence structure (seen in her repeating “something” throughout the scene. “something - sub human/ bestial.”

Question 14

How is it clear that Blanche is angry with Stella in her monologue?

Answer 14

• Exclamatory, very angry that her sister is so far from The Old South.
• Accusatory tone:” you, you” blaming Stella for her decision of being wit Stanley.

Question 15

What reasons does Blanche think Stella is with Stanley?

Answer 15

• “brutal desire” that she somewhat enjoys!!
• “you saw him in uniform.”
• Shallow reasons. Blanche is suggesting that her sister is easily decieved/ not perceptive. Mocking Stella, thinks she is better than Stella.

Question 16

What does Blanche say at the end of her monologue at the end of the scene?

Answer 16

• Says: need to “Hold as our flag” our humanity (“poetry, music, art.”)
• Context: Some Confederate flags were still shown in some Southern states after the war (Blanche wants to hold onto the Old South even after it has died.)

Question 17

How does Stella embrace Stanley at the end of this scene?

Answer 17

“embraced him with both arms, fiercly.”
- Magneticc sexual attraction drawing the two together (similar scene to when they came together after The Poker Night.)
- Her accepting the violence within their relationship!

Question 18

What does Tony Coult (a named critic) describe the play as a vehicle of?

Answer 18

• The play is a vehicle to explore cultural tenisons between Old and New South.

Question 19

How is Blanche seen as Williams’ mouthpiece when describing Stanley as animalistic?

Answer 19

• Williams also describes Blanche in this way in stage directions.
• He has sympathy for Blanche/ undertands aggression of men and what that can do to a woman.