Scene Five Flashcards
I’m writing a …
am spending th…
I’m writing a letter to Shep.
am spending the summer on the wing
Blanche writes obvious lies to shep , claiming she is “spending the summer on the wing “ yet her lies are interrupted ironically by steve and eunice shouting - a reminder of her reality. everytime Blanche drifts into her fantasy world she is audibly reminded of her reality - eg. being interrupted by music
overarching dominance of the new world
Capricorn–the Goat!
Capricorn–the Goat!
ironic that Blanche believes in imaginary things - playing into her false reality.
Goats are a symbol of greatness and excellence - stanley is always associated with his reality. He believes he is this and he wants to see things as they are.
Say, do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?
Say, do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?
aside from the shock blanche will experience realising he knows about her impure past, the question interrogative that stanley always uses asserts authority and dominance. Attempting to make Blanche uncomfortable.
Stanley is aiming to catch blanche in her own web of lies and deception
Stanley wants her gone
Page 53 - Blanches big confession (without really saying anything)
frequent pauses allude to blanches hesitationan and inability to articulate her thoughts potentially alluding to her guilt and regret to her actions.
metaphors like “temporary magic” and “storm” allow blanche to vent her feelings without giving away her true actions. She is trying to confess without confronting reality.
Blanche is constantly trying to dim the reality. The light motif returns with the “paper lantern over the light” she is distorting her prostitution rather than confronting the facts of what she did.
The uses of inclusive pronouns like “you” elicits sympathy, making it out like we all are stuck in this system of “leaky roof” and money issues. Although maybe this is true as Blanche is a consequence of her circumstances - made homeless by men and must rely on them to survive , a common experience in the patriarchal society in the new south.
Right on my pretty white skirt!
Right on my pretty white skirt!
white = blanches attemt at purity - her true tainted impurity is always revealed
But on the other hand men lose interest quickly. Especially when the girl is over–thirty. They think a girl over thirty ought to–the vulgar term is–“put out.”…
But on the other hand men lose interest quickly. Especially when the girl is over–thirty. They think a girl over thirty ought to–the vulgar term is–“put out.”…
shows stereotypical gender roles of the 1940s Women must conform to the mans needs as he is the provider and creates stability - what Blanche really wants.
I want to rest!
I want to rest!
tragic idea that Blanche just truly wants this escape point to her sufferings, to be loved . Blanche wants Mitch’s sex, protection, escape rather than necessarily him as a person.
Trapped in a cycle of being condemned as a prostitute yet left with no other options due to the power of men at the time. Like she cant breathe.
Her eyes fall shut
Her eyes fall shut
sheer exhaustion from all her play acting - living in this fantasy world
indication of declining mental state
It would be nice to keep you, but I’ve got to be good–and keep my hands off children.
It would be nice to keep you, but I’ve got to be good–and keep my hands off children.
possesive - wants the boy as something she can have
predatory behavior
makes her similar to men in play - using sex for power
already aware that what she is doing is bad but does it anyway - already had bad implications in her life
Look who’s coming! My Rosenkavalier! Bow to me first… now present them! Ahhh–Merciiii!
Look who’s coming! My Rosenkavalier! Bow to me first… now present them! Ahhh–Merciiii!
dramatic irony - the audiance know that what blanche has just done but mitch does not. There is a sense of irony, that Blanche has just delved into her brutal desires, by kissing the young boy when she shouldn’t have. The audiance hence feels unmcomfortable and sympathetic for mitch.
performative and false to mitch.
