Scenes 1-3 Flashcards
What is plastic theatre?
(Scene 1)
The use of props, noises or stage directions to convey a blatant parallel with the characters.
How is Stanley lobbing meat at Stella an
example of plastic theatre?
(Scene 1)
The meat is a symbol of Stanley’s aggressive, misogynistic view of Stella.
What is the first impression we get of Blanche?
(Scene 1)
She feels superior to Stella but she is also out of her depths in New Orleans
How does the diversity of New Orleans
contribute to Blanche feeling lost?
(Scene 1)
Blanche is not used to seeing people of other races and cultures in an equal setting. They have always been inferior to her. This makes her feel like she is losing her identity.
Why is it dramatic irony when Blanche
continues to drink alcohol?
(Scene 1)
Because the audience knows that Blanche has had many more drinks than she claims (“one’s my limit”). This shows the beginning of Blanches delusion as she is not only constantly lying to Stella and Stanley but also to herself. She is pretending that she is still a perfect Southern Belle, when she isn’t anymore.
What is the relevance of Elysian Fields and why does it link to Blanche?
(Scene 1)
Elysian Fields is Greek for the final resting place of tragic hero’s and links to Blanche as she herself could be viewed as a tragic hero. This could be a portent of Blanches future and could be referencing the death of her innocence and of her relationship with Mitch. Blanche was already having signs of her future downfall in the very first scene.
Why can Blanche be described as compelling?
(Scene 2)
Because she constantly is asking Stanley about her looks and even asks if her can button up her dress.
What does Stanley tell Blanche at the end of the scene?
(Scene 2)
That Stella is going to have a baby
Why does Stanley root through Blanches suitcase?
(Scene 2)
Because he is showing Stella all the expensive clothes and nice jewellery that Blanche has because Stanley believes that Blanche “swindled” them both.
Why does Blanche flirt with Stanley?
(Scene 2)
Stanley remarks that he would “get ideas” about Blanche if she wasn’t Stella’s sister and then goes on to accuse Blanche of knowing what she is doing. Blanche is clearly very aware of her flirtatious personality and shows that she is so desperate to be loved and admired by someone that she is even willing to flirt with her sisters husband!
What does Blanche mean when she says “our improvident grandfathers and father and uncles and brothers exchanged land for their epic fornications”?
(Scene 2)
Blanche blames the lost of Belle Reve to the
debauchery of it’s male family members over many generations.
What are some adjectives for Mitch?
(Scene 3)
Tender, gullible, devoted and sensitive
How is Stanley villainised in the scene?
(Scene 3)
Throughout this scene Stanley is compared to an animal. Stella calls him an “animal thing”, Stanley “charges” at Stella and at the end of the scene they both come together in “animal moans” after Stanley hits Stella. This cements Stanley as the villain in the play and later on in the play when Stella ends up taking his side rather than her sisters, this creates a very ominous , gloomy atmosphere.
What is the significance of the light shade?
(Scene 3)
Blanche describes the naked light as “rude” and “vulgar” so places a Chinese lantern over it. This signifies Blanches attempt to hide not only her physical imperfections but also her personal problems. She is trying to shield herself from the real world and the reality of loosing her husband. Later in the play the shade is ripped off to show Blanches true form, inside and out.
Why does Blanche feel ostracised?
(Scene 3)
Because she is out of her comfort zone in New Orleans. She doesn’t know anyone apart from her sister and isn’t used to being lost. Here, Blanche is lost both physically and mentally but she has also lost her identity.
