Scene 8 Flashcards
How are the stage directions at the beginning of the scene significant?
The opening stage directions reinforce the tension and conflict on stage and the references to light intensify Blanche’s tragedy as it suggests that she will be unable to escape from the scrutiny of Stanley. Blanche’s ‘tight artificial smile’ suggests that she is still intent on pretence – on playing the role of a ‘Southern belle’ even though she is in despair.
Describe the symbolism of the parrot joke.
The old maid and parrot joke refers to the characters of Blanche and Stanley (Blanche has already referred to herself as an old maid in an earlier scene with Mitch). The joke mocks their situation and it is the continuation of this mocking that fuels Stanley’s temper.
Who was Huey Long?
‘Huey Long’ was a Louisiana lawyer in the early part of the twentieth century who championed breadwinners and felt that they should be respected. Here Stanley alludes to this legal figure to support his role as the man of the house and therefore the one who should be in control.
Analyse the ‘coloured lights’ that Stanley refers to.
Stanley refers to ‘the coloured lights’ twice during this scene which is a reference to energetic sexual relations. The idea that the lights are coloured links with the strong visual representations Williams has used throughout: the bowling shirt, the red robe etc.
How are stage directions used to heighten tensions in this scene?
The warmth of the sunset scene contrasts with the coldness of Blanche and the situation presented in the scene. This is also symbolic of her story and her life as she knows it coming to an end. The space left vacant is a strong visual image that is representative of Mitch’s rejection. This is further reinforced by Stella making reference to ‘the empty chair.
Blanche’s reaction to her own joke is highly dramatic and hyperbolic which is typical of her character: ‘She throws her head back and laughs’. This is also done to show a contrast between the reactions of the three and further excludes Blanche.
Stanley’s primitive and animalistic nature is further exposed through his eating habits, ‘(Stanley) reaches way over the table to spear his fork into the remaining chop which he eats with his fingers’ This act will provide the starting point to a series of negative comments from Blanche, which lead to Stanley losing his temper.
Stanley ‘changes into his brilliant silk bowling shirt’, which signifies his power and the control that he is gaining. This contrasts with Blanches crying, frightened looks and whispering.
The ‘Varisouviana’ heard at the end is a reminder of Blanche’s insecurities which stem from her husband’s death.
How does this scene heavily foreshadow the rape at the end of scene 10?
The mood shifts throughout the scene unsettle the audience and hint at a volatile ending. Blanche’s emotional state significantly deteriorates at the end of the scene, preparing us for scene 10.
How is the theme of Blanche vs Stanley adhered to in this scene?
Regarding Blanche’s desire to hear a funny anecdote, Stanley says that he ‘don’t know any refined enough for [her] taste’. Stanley is simply refusing to comply in order to try and upset Blanche. There is a sense that he is mocking Blanche’s ‘upper-class’ background and this reflects the conflict between the two classes which they represent. This act of rudeness shows Stanley’s contempt for Blanche and thus the animosity between them. In addition to representing the conflict that exists between these two characters, Blanche and Stanley’s hostile relationship also reflects the conflict between the fading upper classes of the American elite and the burgeoning, urban, immigrant working class who are replacing them as the driving force behind America.
How does Stella attempt to take back some control from Stanley?
‘Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself to think of anything else!’ Stella tries to assert some power over Stanley while agreeing with her sister. Stella does this again in the next line: ‘Your face and fingers are disgustingly greasy. Go and wash up and then help me clear the table.’ Here she tries to establish a sense of power over her husband by commanding him to follow her instructions. This undermines Stanley’s status as the dominant figure in the house and here we see Stella at her most assertive, which creates tension between the two, a tension which this time echoes not a tension between the classes but a tension between the genders.
How does Stanley reinforce his power over the women after he reconquers it by “smashing the plate to the floor”?
After his violent smashing of the plates Stanley’s control seems to have been firmly re-established. When the phone rings he prevents Blanche from answering it by saying ‘I’m not sure. Keep your seat.’ In addition, during the conversation he is smug and when he says ‘QUIET IN THERE! - We’ve got a noisy woman on the place,’ Stanley is revelling in his freshly reconquered dominance. He shouts at Blanche from the phone and exaggerates the noise level she is making in his comment to Mac. This is a tool to help him illustrate his power over the women in the household.
How is the theme of loneliness and longing for love presented?
The theme of loneliness is made apparent at the start of the scene, where ‘there is a fourth place at the table which is left vacant’. This place was obviously set for Mitch, and his absence upsets Blanche greatly. When she calls and fails to reach Mitch, the idea of loneliness is further reinforced. This is made even more apparent, when the subsequent phone call is not once from Mitch but actually for Stanley, then his ‘present’ of a ticket back to Laurel – all of this makes Blanche feel even lonelier and more unwelcome. Blanche is left alone with only her insanity to accompany her at the end of the scene.
How is the theme of the destructive nature of desire, sex and passion presented?
This is something which Stanley and Stella’s relationship is built upon. Stanley reminisces about ‘them nights [he and Stella] had together’ and making ‘noise in the night the way that [they] used to and get the coloured lights going. Stanley longs for Stella in this way and Blanche’s presence makes this impossible, possibly feeding his desire to get rid of her, asking ‘wasn’t it all okay till she showed here?’
Describe how the motif of inside vs outside is presented in this scene.
In this scene, Blanche remains inside, where Stanley is able to go outside and smoke a cigarette. Blanche remaining inside is significant because it reflects the idea of entrapment – that she is somehow trapped in the apartment (she only ever leaves the apartment accompanied). It also places Stanley in a position of dominance as he is able to go inside and outside of the house at will.
How is light used as a motif in this scene?
Blanche says that ‘candles aren’t safe, that candles burn out in little boys’ and girls’ eyes, or wind blows them out and after that happens, electric light bulbs go on and you see too plainly…’. This is a reflection upon her life – her distaste for electric light bulbs (harsher more penetrating light) reflects her active avoidance of the truth. She prefers the softer light of candles as this allows more room for ‘magic’ and romance. This may also be interpreted as a warning about candles which may be a metaphor for the message that fantasy and dreams are dangerous as after they are taken away, the harsh light of realism reveals the ugly truth of reality. This is directly linked to the theme of ‘Pleasant Dreams vs. Ugly Reality’
‘… The way that we used to get the colored lights going…’ Stanley is speaking to Stella, trying to persuade her that things ‘gonna be all right again’ after Blanche leaves. There are sexual connotations to his reference of ‘colored lights’ as he also mentions ‘Them nights we had together’. One interpretation of this is that lights, when related to Stanley, are associated with more positive images such as vibrancy, life and excitement in contrast to Blanches’ association of lights with the idea of a stark and harsh reality.
