Scene Five Flashcards
1
Q
Key quotes in scene 5
A
- “I’m writing a letter to Shep…Darling Shep” BD
- “Did he kill her?” BD
- “Stanley comes around the corner in his green and scarlet silk bowling shirt”
- “I don’t listen to you when you’re being morbid” - Stella
- [see whole monologue of BD – leaky roof]
- “you make my mouth water”
- “I never was hard or self-sufficient enough”
- “Make a little temporary magic - just in order to pay - one nights shelter”
- “I’ve run for protection Stella, from one leaky roof to another leaky roof”
- “Men don’t - don’t even admit your existence unless your making love to them”
- “I don’t know how much longer I can turn the trick”
2
Q
Plot summary for scene 4
A
- BD writes to Shep
- Steve and Eunice fight and make up
- SK asks BD about Laurel and “Shaw”
- BD tries to tell Stella about her life; Stella refuses to listen
- BD flirts with the Young Man
- Mitch arrives
3
Q
What argument does John McCrae have about scene 4?
A
- The audience must laugh at the idea that BD is a Virgo, because now we know she’s a sexually motivated creature
- This is reiterated with the ref to the Flamingo, which in Southern American parlance means a whore.
- When BD says “I never really was hard or self-sufficient enough” she invokes pity and terror which reiterates the idea of her as Tragic Hero. The fear for her vulnerability is now palpable.
- The Young Man reps a new kind of masculinity and the possibilities of strangers, yet he illuminates BD’s drive to self-destruction, through her inappropriate denial of her age and her inclination to fantasy which causes her to act as though they’re in different worlds.
- Even Mitch is a romanticised fantasy as she compares him to the Rosenkavalier – an image of refinement and old aristocracy.
4
Q
Contextual notes on scene 4
A
- BD talking about star signs refers to Ovid, Roman poet – uses his ref to goats to describe SK as overtly sexual.
- The palm leaf that BD fans herself with links to Antebellum era – reveals illusion in BD’s psyche as she tries to live the life of an affluent Southern Woman.
- Stella says she likes to “wait on” BD, which links to past home life – BD used to servants.
- Domestic violence of New America and its normality in so-called progressive society reflects the negative impacts of post-WWII and civil war America.
- Celebrations of SK’s arrival back home – he is to be celebrated
- The future of America is represented by the two couples – BD status is no longer relevant.
- BD and Young Man – visual illustration of why she got fired – neat way for audience to see Thanatos – the drive to destruction.
5
Q
Notes on stagecraft and structure for scene 4
A
- Stage Dirs make it clear there is little privacy in the French Quarter. No peace and no secrets, therefore BD’s façade will be inevitably revealed.
- Spilling of coke reveals her vulnerability: “foaming over and spilling” crude image of ejaculation, and subsequent stain reveals sexual impurity and classic symbol of loss of innocence.
- SK clothing used to represent sexual magnetism like that of the peacock.
- Noise and constant disruption shows there’s no escape from the violence.
- Stage Dirs contrast BD’s stasis with physicality of other characters – fast-paced New America vs stagnant Old South. However when she’s with the Young Man the stage dirs are very physical representing her promiscuity.
6
Q
Notes on links across literature
A
- Classic elements of Greek theatre – trumpets and drums celebrating breadwinner.
- America future symbolised through sex and sexual attraction through Capricorn and the goat as well as Steve and Eunice. Focuses on sexual attraction in Lit.
- The Paper Lantern – vulnerability and fragility of women in lit: desperate measures in terms of survival.
- Value of women is explored: men don’t want anything too quickly or easily, but that women only have a narrow margin of availability/desirability to fit into.
