Scene 7 Quotes Flashcards
What do Stanley and Stella say which emphasises Blanche’s obsession with bathing and remaining clean?
Stanley: How long she been in there?
Stella: All afternoon.
Stanley: (mimicking) “soaking in a hot tub”?
Blanche’s obsession with bathing could symbolise her deep desire to be viewed as “clean” through the eyes of society, and wash herself clean of her past.
What does Stanley say which eludes to Blanche’s lack of innocence and purity?
“But sister Blanche is no Lily! Ha-ha! some Lily she is!”
Lilies are white and often associated with purity. “Sister Blanche” could also be a reference to the way nuns are often referred to as ‘sister’. This, of course, is Stanley being sarcastic and laughing about Blanche’s lack of innocence.
What does Blanche sing while bathing which could is a further indication of her delusion?
Blanche (singing): “It’s a Barnum and Bailey world. Just as phony as can be- But it be make believe if you believed in me!”
Here, Blanche sings the popular ballad “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” One idea which is persistant in the song is the idea that if both lovers believed in their “make believe” reality, then it would no longer be make belief. This reflects Blanche’s approach to life, as she believes that lying and putting on a fake persona is the only way she can enjoy life.
She also sings this while Stanley reveals to Stella the details of her sexually corrupt past. Williams ironically juxtaposes Blanche’s fantastical understanding of herself with Stanley’s blunt description of her true nature.
How is music used to illustrate Blanche’s loss of control over reality?
[…The distant piano goes into a hectic breakdown]
