Scenes 6, 7, 8 and 9 of 'A Streetcar Named Desire': WHY questions

Scene 6

On the characters

Why does Blanche want to marry Mitch? List some reasons.

Blanche wants to marry Mitch for many reasons some being:

·         Financial security-If Blanche marries mitch she will be able to rely “on the kindness” of mitch and won’t have to result to other methods of earning money.

·         Age-Blanche is much older than mitch and Stella so she is probably worried about men not finding her attractive anymore so she won’t be able to rely on them and sees getting married as the solution.

·         Mental insecurity- Since her first husband Blanche is in need of reassurance about her appearance and manner and she is fully aware that Mitch would cater to this.

·         Jealousy-Blanche may also be jealous of how her baby sister is married and having a baby and she may see Mitch as a way of getting those things for herself.

Why does Mitch have an interest in Blanche? What is his situation?

Mitch’s mother is becoming increasingly ill and Mitch fears that she may not be around for much longer so he is most likely searching for a female figure to replace his mother. Mitch also could be searching for a wife as his mother wished that he’d be “settled” before she passed away so finding a wife like Blanche could be Mitch honouring his mother’s wishes as his mother is shown to be quite an authoritative figure in his life. Blanche is also the authoritative figure in her and Mitch’s relationship which, Williams may have introduced to highlights some similarities between Blanche and Mitch’s mother despite their differences being why Blanche and Mitch can’t be together. Mitch may also have an interest in Blanche because she shows him empathy and tries to relate their feelings, “show me a person who hasn’t known sorrow and I’ll show you a shuperficial “, as though they are in the same situation, She allows Mitch to seek comfort in her knowing that comforting him will lead to him having an interest in her and “talking to Miss-“ Dubois about his problems which to Blanche could be a sign of weakness and opportunity.

On the writer's techniques

Why does Williams show such a contrast between the language that Mitch and Blanche use? Find three or four quotes that illustrate the different ways they use language.

Williams highlights the contrast between Blanche and Mitch’s language to show the complete difference between the pair. Blanche tends to speak French regularly throughout the text as a way to exude a feeling of grandeur when what she is saying is something that would’ve been considered completely the opposite, “voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?”, of course the fact that Blanche uses this language emphasises the separation between Mitch and Blanche as there is no way of Mitch being able to comprehend what Blanche is saying. Blanche also tends to speak in a way that suggests she is highly educated in other aspects, however status at that time would’ve dictated that she may not be seen as equal to the men and therefore she has to find other methods of living self-sufficiently. Blanche speaks about “looking for Pleiades, the seven sisters” but it is obvious to the audience that Mitch has no idea what Blanche is talking about so instead “he shuffles and coughs a little” in response. Williams also shows the audience an exact example of the differences between them when Blanche asks “Understand French” and of course Mitch answered “Naw. Naw i-“ as there would be no reason for him to.

Scene 7

On the characters

Why is Stanley so interested in Blanche's past?

Stanley is so interested as he feels as though she is hiding something from Stella such as the events at Hotel Flamingo. Stanley also wants Stella to be only his possession and probably doesn’t like the amount of influence that Blanche has on Stella so he may feel that if he can persuade Stella that Blanche isn’t the person Stella sees her as that she’ll no longer be Stella’s main priority and that he can have all of her attention once again.

Why is Blanche so evasive -- i.e. she doesn't want to discuss things...

Blanche may be ashamed of the events at The Flamingo and may not want Stella to see how she really acquired all of her fancy fox pieces. Blanche constantly needs reassurance of herself and whilst in Laurel many people/dates knew what really happened with her and eventually didn’t want to carry on with her because of it, so Blanche may think that if she tells Stella what really happened that she won’t think of her in the same way as before-hand as Blanche likes to be the superior character.

On the writer's techniques

Why does Stanley use such blunt language? Quote and analyse.

Stanley uses blunt language when speaking as it becomes apparent that he doesn’t believe Blanche’s stories. Blanche constantly acts superior towards the other characters but in this scene she is shown for her true colours. Stanley however refuses to believe that Blanche is innocent and tells Stella “she’s pulled the wool over your eyes”. Stanley becomes so blunt due to his increasing frustration towards Stella and their situation. He isn’t used to being the secondary character and now that Blanche has turned up after “she couldn’t put on her act any more in Laurel”  he isn’t holding back once he has found out that her story is “just as phony as it can be”.

Why does Blanche use such vague language? Quote and analyse.

Blanche is shown to be quite an ominous character and this is highlighted in this scene. In previous scenes Blanche had been able to get away with any excuse due to Stella defending her but in this scene Stanley finally has “th’ dope on your big sister” (Blanche).Blanche tried to hide her past away from the people she recently met and probably used vague language to cover up her past.

In scene 7 Blanche is shown to be “soaking in a hot tub”, so that throughout the scene Blanche acts bewildered to her surroundings. Throughout the scene Blanche is “singing blithely” as though she has no idea of the rising conflict between Stella and Stanley or Stanley and herself and the song paper moon which William’s has introduced in which ideas such as “sailing over a cardboard sea” are shown emphasises Blanche’s personality and being. Blanche tends to be the character that acts ad though she is the innocent party although at the end of the scene “she stares fearfully at Stella” which presents to the audience another clue that she is living in a fantasy land due to the shock she had when she was much younger and although she fears what might happen if Stella was to discover what really happened in Laurel she still manages to convince herself that everything is fine.

Why and how does Williams make things more tense in the household?

Williams creates the mood of tension so that the audience are aware of the build-up to the dramatic scene that is soon to come. Both Stanley and Stella are aware of Blanche’s past however Blanche is unaware that they know, only the audience are aware of both parties situation and although Blanche acts bewildered when she notices Stella’s mood it is obvious that she must have some clue to why Stella is acting “sadly and doubtfully” towards her. Williams also increases the tension by increasing Stanley’s anger. Throughout the play it is obvious that Stanley is not happy about Blanche’s presence and influence on Stella, however it is also obvious that he feels the only way to return to the way it was is to get-rid of Blanche and in this scene his vendetta against Blanche continues so that all romantic and otherwise ties are broken.

Scene 8

On the characters

Why is Stanley so angry with both Stella and Blanche?

Stanley is angry with the pair mainly due to Blanche’s influence within the household, as he feels that Stella has changed since Blanche’s arrival. Stella tends to be encouraged by Blanche, subtly, to not listen to Stanley and instead to see herself as the authoritative figure within the household, however once Stanley finally loses it and “hurls a plate to the floor” it becomes even more obvious to the audience that Stanley is not going to settle for Stella gaining more authority and instead presents her with a “Ticket! Back to Laurel!”.

Why has Stanley spoken to Mitch?

Stanley has spoken to Mitch so as to secure the fact that Blanche has no reason to stay in New Orleans other than Stella as if Blanche was to marry Mitch then she would constantly be around Stella, influencing her and causing problems within their marriage, this way when Stanley finally give Blanche her ticket back to Laurel he knows that Mitch will no longer be interested in her and then she will leave and Stanley and Stella.

On the writer's techniques

Why did Williams write this scene of "domestic tension", i.e. a scene which shows all the tensions about all three of them living together in a cramped apartment?

Stanley is un-happy about Blanche’s presence in the first place and once Blanche is exposed for who she really is he can no longer stand her presence. Blanche tends to be the character that creates most of the tension between Stanley and Stella and Stanley is fully aware of this as the longer Blanche is around the more Stanley appears to be arguing with Stella about Blanche as Stella constantly defends her, even when it was obvious that Blanche had been doing exactly what Stanley had previously said. The expression ‘three is a crowd’ tends to come into this scene as emphasis is also put on the fact that Stella And Stanley barely have enough room for themselves and now that Blanche is there they can’t get “them coloured lights going” which is one of the main reasons for Stanley and Stella’s relationship.

 

Scene 9: Mitch and Blanche

The story

What happens between Blanche and Mitch in this scene?

In this scene Mitch attempts to have sex with Blanche, however he is un-successful as Blanche threatens to “scream fire” if he comes any closer and she does just that. Before this event Blanche is shown to be her true self, a tired physically worn character. When Mitch finally arrives Blanche begins excitedly but then it becomes obvious to her that something is wrong, Mitch knows the truth.

Why does Mitch treat Blanche so unkindly? Who has been speaking to him do you think?

Mitch had been under the impression that Blanche was a ‘clean’ sophisticated lady when she turns out to be the complete opposite. Mitch and Blanche’s relationship developed when they confided in each other about their problems, Mitch told Blanche about his mother and in return Blanche told Mitch about her husband, which shows the audience that to Mitch it may seem that their relationship was built upon open-ness and honesty. However in this scene Mitch is shown to have seen what the audience have seen all along, that Blanche had been telling him lies throughout the entirety of their relationship, so much so that even she believed herself that they were true and that it was just “the kindness of strangers”.

Williams' techniques

How does Williams generate suspense and tension in this scene through his use of characterisation?

Williams creates tension by beginning the opening of the scene with Blanche “seated in a tense hunched position” which shows the audience that Blanche is aware that her recent past has caught up with her. Although in recent scenes Blanche had been shown to be anxious, in scene 9 it is obvious that Blanche is finding it increasingly harder to hide her true anxiety and in this scene it begins to show physically.

 Mitch “tears off the paper lantern” in an attempt to assert/exhibit his power over Blanche, Williams clearly introduced this action as a subtle way of showcasing the tension between Blanche and Mitch (will they, won’t they…O).

How does Williams evoke a sinister atmosphere at the end of the scene through his use of stage directions and characterisation?

Williams introduces the “Mexican woman” within this scene and during Blanche’s conversation with Mitch the lady is constantly shouting “Flores para los muertos” which Williams may have introduced to add emphasis to the end of Mitch and Blanche’s relationship as after/between each point the same line is repeated  in reference to the ‘death flowrs’.

Scene 10: the confrontation between Blanche and Stanley

Before the scene

Draw a graph or flow diagram of the changing "power dynamic" between Blanche and Stanley, or write an account how power has shifted throughout the play between them. Clue: at the beginning of the play you could argue that Blanche has the upper hand and nearly persuades Stella to leave Stanley.

During the scene

Why does Stanley end the scene by attacking and probably raping Blanche? What happens before this to trigger off this brutal ending to the scene?

Before these events Blanche is seen as quite flirtatious but also extremely insecure. When Stanley first met Blanche she immediately flirted with him and he recognised her for who she really is as he always had suspicions. Once the rumours were confirmed by Stanley’s source it was obvious that he was going to do anything to get rid of her and once he finally managed to give her a final push away from his family, alcohol led poor judgement caused his anticipated climatic scene with Blanche .Stanley also could see her as a way to relieve any tension he is feeling as with Blanche in the house it became difficult form Stella and Stanley.