1. Scene 6
The opening mood of this scene is
downbeat and depressing. Mitch and
Blanche’s date has been a failure.
1
2. Blanche’s Double Standards
• Her play-acting emphasises her need
for make-believe situations (needs to
pretend she’s proper and moral)
• Her recklessness is also apparent.
She asks Mitch in French to sleep
with her and when she speaks to him
about her old fashioned ideas about
women’s behaviour she rolls her eyes
2
3. Blanche on Love – Light and
Dark Imagery
• When she fell in love her world was
consumed by “blinding light” and when her
husband died, “the searchlight was turned
off again and never for one moment since
has there been any light …”
• A lack of light has enabled Blanche to live
a lie, but without light Blanche has lived
without a clear view of herself and reality
3
4. • Blanche needs Mitch
as a stabilizing force
in her life
• If her relationship
with him fails, she
faces a world that
offers few prospects
for a financially
challenged, unmarrie
d, middle aged
woman 4
5. • The polka music: the
same music was
playing when Blanche
told her husband (just
before his suicide) that
he disgusted her
• When we hear the
music in the play it
shows Blanche is
escaping into a fantasy
world and
remembering her
greatest regret (guilt)
5
6. Scene 7
• The cheerful mood of Blanche
singing in the bath and Stella
arranging the birthday table is
shattered when Stanley comes in
with his details about Blanche’s
past
6
7. Symbolism
Her singing of “Paper Moon” – “ it
wouldn’t be make-believe if you
believed in me” – symbolises that
Blanche’s hopes of a future with
Mitch rest in him believing her act.
7
8. Blanche
After Belle Reve
was lost, Blanche
stayed at the
Flamingo Hotel;
they eventually
kicked her out, on
account of the
endless string of
male guests she
entertained.
8
9. She lost her
job teaching
high school
English
because of an
affair with a
seventeen-
year-old
student. 9
10. • Mitch knows
everything – Stanley
has ruined any
prospects Blanche had
for security in her life.
• Mitch will not marry
Blanche.
10
11. Scene Eight
This is a disjointed scene with changes of
mood from embarrassment to violence, to a
pathetic attempt at normality, to Stanley’s
brutality, ending with Stella’s abrupt departure
for the hospital.
12. Blanche
Stella’s departure
to the hospital
leaves Blanche
alone in the
apartment for the
next two scenes
with tragic results
(danger)
13. Stanley
• Stanley’s rude table
manners symbolise his
primitive qualities and
desire to upset Blanche
and Stella
• Stanley smashing the
plate symbolises his
potential for violence
14. • Hates that Blanche still
thinks she’s superior
• Gift to Blanche – a one
way ticket back to
Laurel – symbolises his
cruel tendencies and his
vicious nature
• “grunts”, “stalks” –
remind us of his
animalistic nature
15. • He feels that Stella has become
insubordinate since Blanche arrived.
• Wants to establish his dominance by
hurting Blanche.
• Stella can’t ask for help with chores or
criticize – Blanche is giving her “ideas”
16. Polka Music
After Blanche receives
the bus ticket she hears
the polka again - shows
that she is beginning to
lose control again.
Stanley’s cruel action
has pushed her over the
edge.
18. Blanche
• Motivation: surrounded by the
memories of her dead husband
and dying members of her
family, she felt so afraid of
Death’s proximity that she
sought the opposite - DESIRE
• To Blanche desire symbolises
life, youth and everything that
is pleasant
• Ironically Blanche dies inside as
a result of her moral decay
19. “I don’t want realism…"I'll
tell you what I want. Magic!
Yes, yes, magic! I try to give
that to people".
She lies from
weakness, from
immaturity, from a fear of
reality. She tells Mitch that
she speaks of the world as
it ought to be, and as
people would prefer it to
20. The liquor Blanche drinks
is called “Southern
Comfort”. Blanche has
arrived in the southern
states looking for comfort
but neither the alcohol or
her stay with Stanley and
Stella are giving her any.
Her journey to New
Orleans was her quest for
a new life.
21. At Laurel (she admits her
lies):
• The description of the
soldiers calling out her
name from the lawn of
Belle Reve (lurid and
chilling)
• The story shows the depths
of Blanche's loneliness and
depravity; she sought
comfort and protection in
impossible places, with
men who were only
interested in one thing.
22. Alone at Belle Reve, and in all the beds she
frequented - terrifyingly isolated. In her
loneliness, her desires became more and
more difficult to control, and more and
more unhealthy.
23. Mitch
• Mitch’s refusal to marry
Blanche show that she is
no longer able to escape
her past
• Mitch hurrying out of the
apartment represents
Blanche’s last chance for
stability in her life
disappearing – She asks
him to save her, and he
refuses.
24. The Paper Lantern
• Represents the dressing up
of reality
• Mitch tearing down the
lantern conveys that Stanley
has already metaphorically
“turned on the light for
Mitch”, but now he wants
the truth for himself.
• For Blanche light is a cruel
enemy while darkness is
kind (normally opposite
symbolism)
25. Death
The appearance of
the Mexican flower
seller symbolises the
death of Blanche’s
relationship with
Mitch and all the
death that
surrounded her at
Belle Reve.
26. Scene Ten
This scene is the dramatic climax
of the play
Throughout this scene Williams
uses every means available to
create an atmosphere of
menace:-
• opening stage directions –
Blanche’s “soiled and crumpled”
evening dress and her “scuffed
silver slippers”
• When she breaks the mirror we
are reminded that this brings
bad luck
27. • When Stanley turns on Blanche
her terror takes on a visible form:
“grotesque and menacing”
shapes close in around her
• the ugly, violent scenes within the
apartment are mirrored by the
ugly, violent scenes on the street
outside
• the effect of the “inhuman voices
likes cries in a jungle” and sinuous
shadows on the walls around
Blanche create a shocking visual
and sound (the horror of a man
raping his sister-in-law while his
wife is giving birth to their child)
28. The Rape
• The way Stanley terrorises Blanche
by shattering her self-delusions
parallels and foreshadows his
physical rape of her
• Animalistic body language –
“snake”, “springs towards her”. He
is described as more animal-like
than human
• The jungle noises symbolise the
primitive nature of Stanley and
danger for Blanche
• Stanley is at his most triumphant (
just before the birth of his son) and
she is at her most psychologically
vulnerable - the ultimate act of
cruelty
29. • The rape symbolises the final
destruction of the Old South’s
genteel fantasy world
symbolised by Blanche, by the
cruel but vibrant present
symbolised by Stanley
• In the new world of the
South, animal instinct and
common sense win out over
lofty ideals and romantic
notions
• Blanche’s silent resignation as
Stanley carries her to the bed
indicates the utter defeat of
her will
30. • The setting illustrates
Symbolism that home is not a safe
option for Blanche
(danger in the street and
apartment)
• The “lurid reflections” on
the wall - the nightmare
world that Blanche now
finds herself in
• The blue piano music
symbolises sadness and
loss. All Blanche’s
dreams have now been
destroyed.
31. Our opinion of Stanley has changed greatly from the very
beginning of the play
At the start he is more likeable and down to earth than Blanche.
He lacks her pretension and he represents the new America
where reward is based on merit and good work and not
dependent on being born into fortunate circumstances
Blanche’s attempt to telephone to real world fails – this shows
that she has completely lost touch with reality.
32. Scene 11 – Differences between the Poker
Scenes •Stella has been crying
•All the poker players apart
from Stanley have lost their
boisterous good humour
•They rise in an act of courtesy
when Blanche passes through
the room
•Stanley again tears down the
paper lantern. Blanche cries
out as though in physical pain
(symbolic replay of the rape).
33. Why is this scene particularly effective?
•Gradually, the audience
are made aware that
Blanche is being
committed to a mental
hospital – in the dark,
like Blanche
•Blanche’s quiet dignity
at the end is in sharp
contrast to her earlier
displays of vanity and
fussing over her
appearance
34. • Blanche’s final words, “I have always depended on
the kindness of strangers” reveals the sad truth that
there has been very little kindness in Blanche’s life
• Blanche’s behaviour towards the poker players
conveys the way in which being raped by Stanley has
scarred her. At the start of the play she performs for
his friends, by the end she hides from their gaze and
hopes they won’t notice her
35. Stella and Blanche
• The roles of the two sisters reverse: Stella admits that she may
have entered a world of make-believe (she cannot believe
Blanche’s story about the rape and continue to live with
Stanley)
• Must believe that the story of the rape is the invention of a
mentally unstable woman. Blanche’s descent into madness
saves Stella from the truth
36. • Another poker game (“seven card stud”) is about to commence - a
symbol of the deception and bluffing that has taken place in the
Kowalski house
• Everyone is going to move on: as the play ends, Steve is
dealing a new hand (Blanche is forgotten).
• The image of Stanley and Stella together at the end symbolises
Stanley has won – he is the triumphant victor
• Their relationship is now based on a series of lies and denial.
37. Blanche’s constant bathing again When Blanche arrives at Elysian Fields she
represents her desire to cover up is wearing white – white suit, gloves,
the past and be perceived as bodice and pearl necklace and earrings.
somebody else. This represents her desire to be someone
else. She wants to be perceived as a lady,
covering the tainted past which is
The spilt coke on Blanche’s skirt in unknown at the start. She constantly
Scene 5 is representing her stained associated herself with white, and is
reputation – Blanche’s desire to be ‘moth-like’ –they are drawn to light, but it
Setting/Location – clean is unobtainable, she is soiled, kills them, just as Blanche is drawn to
Words describing the setting of the just as her skirt is. Also a something that destroys her.
play (contained within stage sexual image – coke
Directions) reflect Blanche – ‘faded white frothing over. Lighting –
stains’, ‘weathered’, and ‘decay’. In scene 3, despite her dislike of
lighting, Blanche uses it to her advantage
because she desires Mitch. She produces a
Elysian Fields – Title – Desire coloured paper lantern and asks Mitch to
paradise for The theme put it up. This represents her desire for a
Blanche heroes after that fresh start, to recapture her innocence and
speaks of death. Is a fresh dominates the play is love.
her death start for contained within the title. Two
in a Blanche, and streetcars – Music –
soliloquy could find this ‘Desire’, ‘Cemeteries’ – sums The blue piano and polka music represent Blanche and
describing here? But also up Blanche’s life – desire will Stanley’s constant need to be in control. Throughout
how she linked to death. lead to death. the play, the prominence of both changes. Scene 2 –
wants to blue piano plays as Stanley arrives, and grows louder
die – at the during the confrontation.
end, she Sexual Desire – when the sisters speak about
longs for sexual desire in Scene 4… The colour red –
death. Stella: Haven’t you ever ridden on that streetcar Blanche often wears a red robe and the lantern she
Blanche: It brought me here – where I’m not hangs is red. This is the colour of desire, but also blood
wanted and where I’m ashamed to be. and hate – linked to death. An allusion to her as a
scarlet woman?
38. Scene 10 – Blanche is so Scene 8 – Stanley gives Scene 1 – Loss of Belle Reve, where Blanche and
desperate to go back in Blanche a bus ticket back to Stella grew up. Their past has been taken away.
time her supposedly Laurel – the one place she can Blanche finds it hard to let go because Stella has
perfect relationship with not go, but there is no place Stanley (her future) whereas Blanche has no real
Alan that she looses it, and for her in Stanley and Stella’s future. Past and present clash when Stanley and
starts dressing up. Stanley future. Blanche meet.
mocks her and rapes her. Scene 9 – Blanche is drinking Scene 2 –, Stanley wants money for the future of
She can not take refuge in alone – that is her future. She his unborn child from the loss of Belle Reve – ‘A
the past anymore. can not live in the past man has to take an interest in his wife’s
anymore. Mitch is not her affairs…especially when she is about to have a
Scene 11 – Stella packs ‘knight’ anymore. baby.’ Stella is moving on from Belle Reve, and
Blanche’s bags. Poker leaving Blanche behind. There is a challenge
night again – the presents between Stanley and Blanche – new and old.
Past and
still carries on. Blanche Scene 3 – Poker Night. Stanley resents Mitch’s
thinks she is going on a Present
interest in Blanche. She sees the potential in him,
cruise, still stuck in a and asks him to put up the lantern, creating soft
romantic dream. As Scene 6 – Mitch and Blanche’s romantic lighting to make her appear younger. She
Blanche leaves, Stanley evening fails because Blanche is clinging to the past. Stanley and Stella’s
comforts Stella with sex to has to direct him. The only relationship is more modern than Blanche’s need to
show that the past has not thing they have in common is a chevalier blanc.
affected them and death. Her romantic ideals are Scene 4 – Blanche is left out again, doesn’t
without Blanche, life will not working out. Blanche understand Stanley and Stella’s relationship. Stella
go on. opens up about her past… to Blanche – ‘you are making too much fuss about
Music – ‘blue piano’ – this.’ Blanche – ‘I don’t understand your
Stanley – future. Scene 7 – Blanche’s birthday indifference.
‘varsouviana polka’ – dinner – she’s getting older. Scene 5 Blanche’s past catches up with her. Stanley
Blanche – past. Mitch finds out about her past finds out about the Flamingo – scares Blanche.
Transport – Train – Stanley and it finally catches up with Blanche’s nature is that of a hopeless romantic, not
– Future her when Stanley wins their self sufficient. She tries to seduce a boy –
Tram – Blanche – past. latest battle. attempting to recapture her lost youth.
39. Other characters deceiving themselves The Fight Between Fantasy and Reality
•Stella deceives herself. She chooses not to •The contrast between fantasy and reality is shown
believe her sister –’I couldn’t believe her and through the contrast between the main
go on living with Stanley…’ characters, Stanley and Blanche.
•Stanley – modern man, blue piano, V Blanche –
•She reads ‘coloured comics’ – a childish
southern belle, varsouviana.
regression into a black and white fantasy
world. •The play culminates with Stanley gaining total control
over Blanche. Reality ultimately triumphs over reality.
•Stanley deceives himself when he says ‘it’s
•The lantern is a representation of Blanche’s reliance
gonna be alright again between you and me,
on fantasy to sustain herself. In Scene II, when Stanley
the way that it was…’ Things can never go
rips off the lantern (another triumph for
back to the way they were before. reality), Blanche cries out ‘as if the lantern was herself’.
•Mitch lets himself be deceived by Blanche
about his appearance and their connection’. Fanta •Abortive telephone calls also show Blanche’s reliance
on a fantasy – they are her ways of calling to the outside
for help, and they drag her into reality.
sy and
Signs tat Blanche deceives others
Reality
• Blanche wants ‘magic’ and tells Signs that Blanche deceives herself
‘what ought to be the truth’. •‘My ‘Rosenkavalier’ – creating a fantasy that Reasons Blanche deceives herself
Mitch is her white knight.
•Gives Mitch the impression that she •Her experiences – the death of
is pure, but is really a cheap •Paper lantern - ‘I can’t stand a naked bulb’ – Alan, loneliness as she cared for dying
seductress (promiscuous past) – e.g.. her looks are fading, and so she can not see relatives, loss of Belle Reve.
she ‘moves indolently‘ ‘into the streak herself in harsh light.
•Age/insecurity ‘my looks are slipping’.
of light’ so that the men at Stanley’s •Her plan to escape, formed with ‘kleenex and
poker night may see her change an eyebrow pencil’ – she deceives herself into •Loss of chivalric code – men no
clothes. believing it is more than a superficial fantasy. longer respect her. ‘Men don’t – don’t
•Her clothes – ‘not diamonds, but rhinestones even admit your existence unless they
•Lies about Shep Huntleigh
– next door to glass’. are making love to you –
•Her clothes are a deception – looks loneliness, and a need for human
•Bathing – trying to make herself feel pure
fine, but are cheap rhinestone and contact.
again, bathing helps with this, but it is a façade
fox fur, nothing luxurious.
– does not last.
