Scene 9 Quotes Flashcards
How does Williams demonstrate the way in which Mitch has lost all respect for Blanche because he views her as ‘impure’?
[She offers him her lips. He ignores it and pushes past her into the flat.]
This directly contrasts the way in which Mitch asked to kiss Blanche earlier in the play, demonstrating how dramatically his perception of her has changed.
How does Williams continue to use the idea of light to portray Blanche’s insecurity and deception of Mitch?
Mitch:…I’ve never had a real good look at you, Blanche. Let’s turn the light on in here.
Blanche (fearfully): Light? Which light? What for?
Mitch: This one with the paper thing on it. [He tears the paper lantern off the light bulb]
This also contrasts the way Mitch helped her put the paper lantern on, symbolising his unveiling of her lies. Blanche’s extreme anxiety over being viewed for what she is, is emphasised through her frantic questions.
What does Blanche exclaim which gives the audience a deeper insight into her metality?
“I don’t want realism. I want magic! (Mitch laughs) Yes, yes magic!…I don’t tell truth, I tell what ought to be the truth!”
Blanche now tells the truth to Mitch in a desperate attempt to prevent him fro, turning the lights on. Thid quote reinforces how blanche resents reality and attempts to bring her fantasies to life though deception.
What does Blanche say to Mitch which gives further insight and explanation for her affairs with men?
“…I think it was panic, just panic, that drove me from one to another, hunting for some protection”
The verb “hunting” is interesting because it implies a level of control and agency to some extent, while also illustrating her extreme desperation. This could be an indication of the deep and profound effects caused by the loss of love, while also possibly implying that women need men to survive in this society.
How does Williams imply that Blanche’s youth and agency were robbed from her?
Blanche: So I came here. There was nowhere else I could go. I was played out.
How does Williams emphasise Blanche’s loneliness and mental instability?
Mexican Woman: “Flores? Flores para los muertos?” (Translation: flowers? Flowers for the dead?
Blanche (frightened): “No, no! Not now! Not now!”
The woman, by coming to Blanche and speaking of death, arguably reaffirms Blanche’s isolation and loneliness. This is because all of the people who loved Blanche have either died or have left her.
What does Mitch say to Blanche which shows that, despite any kindness and sympathy he felt towards her beforehand, he still feels the need to take advantage of her?
Blanche: “What do you want?”
Mitch (fumbling to embrace her): “What I’ve been missing all summer”
Mitch trying to embrace Blanche despite later stating that she’s “not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother” shows how he feels entitled to Blanche’s sexuality despite this being the very thing which he disapproves of. This shows how society places contrasting expectations on men and women; where women are shamed for being sexually promiscuous, men feel entitled to or even proud of their sexual promiscuity.
