“I hurt him how BLANCHE’S GUILT
you would like
LINK to hurt me” Blanche’s guilt is ultimately the
driving force of her downfall, it all
The theme of guilt could be - Blanche, Scene stems from her involvement with her
linked to that of fantasy vs Two, pg 23 husband Allan’s suicide. She then
reality. goes on to feel guilty for her relations
“Where were
with the school boy, and for losing
Due to her overwhelming guilt, you? In bed with
Belle Reve.
Blanche prefers to live in a your Polak!”
‘fantasy’ that she has created However, she pushes her guilt for
- Blanche, Scene
for herself. losing Belle Reve, onto Stella, claiming
One, pg 12
Leading her to believe that she “You are the “You left! I stayed and struggled,
has done nothing wrong, she is one that you came to New Orleans and
the victim. This is why she abandoned looked out for yourself.”
blames the loss of Belle Reve on Belle Reve, not
Stella, instead of herself. I!” - Blanche, Scene One, pg 11
- Blanche, Scene
STELLA’S GUILT “What have I done STANLEY’S GUILT
to my sister, oh
Stella –arguably the victim of the god what have I Although Stanley commits what
play – offers no self-criticism, until done to my is possibly the worst act in the
the final scene. When Blanche is sister?” play – the rape of Blanche, he
being taken away by the Doctor, she does not seem to feel any guilt at
suddenly is confronted with guilt. - Stella, Scene Eleven, pg all. This is due to his ‘alpha-male,
“We’ve had this dominant personality’.
Like Stanley shouted, “Stella! date with each
Stella!” to get Stella to come back, other from the He considers their encounter to
Stella calls out her sister’s name, but beginning!” be ‘fate’, making it clear that he
Blanche does not return. will not feel guilt for what he did.
- Stanley, Scene Ten,
Stella does not run after her sister,
instead gives in to Stanley’s desire, MITCH’S GUILT
confounding her guilt.
Although Mitch has a smaller role in the play, there is one
moment where he feels guilt. In Scene 11, upon hearing
Blanche’s voice, he feels guilty for how he treated her.
OVERALL
Though, there is no admission of guilt or sin from any character in the play, we can assume that
there will be a form of punishment for the guilty. Blanche has been taken to the mental hospital, we
can assume that Stella will stay with her husband, but the betrayal of her sister will stay with her
forever. Stanley may bluster as before, but even if he can put out of his mind what he has done,
Stella will find it difficult.
you would like
LINK to hurt me” Blanche’s guilt is ultimately the
driving force of her downfall, it all
The theme of guilt could be - Blanche, Scene stems from her involvement with her
linked to that of fantasy vs Two, pg 23 husband Allan’s suicide. She then
reality. goes on to feel guilty for her relations
“Where were
with the school boy, and for losing
Due to her overwhelming guilt, you? In bed with
Belle Reve.
Blanche prefers to live in a your Polak!”
‘fantasy’ that she has created However, she pushes her guilt for
- Blanche, Scene
for herself. losing Belle Reve, onto Stella, claiming
One, pg 12
Leading her to believe that she “You are the “You left! I stayed and struggled,
has done nothing wrong, she is one that you came to New Orleans and
the victim. This is why she abandoned looked out for yourself.”
blames the loss of Belle Reve on Belle Reve, not
Stella, instead of herself. I!” - Blanche, Scene One, pg 11
- Blanche, Scene
STELLA’S GUILT “What have I done STANLEY’S GUILT
to my sister, oh
Stella –arguably the victim of the god what have I Although Stanley commits what
play – offers no self-criticism, until done to my is possibly the worst act in the
the final scene. When Blanche is sister?” play – the rape of Blanche, he
being taken away by the Doctor, she does not seem to feel any guilt at
suddenly is confronted with guilt. - Stella, Scene Eleven, pg all. This is due to his ‘alpha-male,
“We’ve had this dominant personality’.
Like Stanley shouted, “Stella! date with each
Stella!” to get Stella to come back, other from the He considers their encounter to
Stella calls out her sister’s name, but beginning!” be ‘fate’, making it clear that he
Blanche does not return. will not feel guilt for what he did.
- Stanley, Scene Ten,
Stella does not run after her sister,
instead gives in to Stanley’s desire, MITCH’S GUILT
confounding her guilt.
Although Mitch has a smaller role in the play, there is one
moment where he feels guilt. In Scene 11, upon hearing
Blanche’s voice, he feels guilty for how he treated her.
OVERALL
Though, there is no admission of guilt or sin from any character in the play, we can assume that
there will be a form of punishment for the guilty. Blanche has been taken to the mental hospital, we
can assume that Stella will stay with her husband, but the betrayal of her sister will stay with her
forever. Stanley may bluster as before, but even if he can put out of his mind what he has done,
Stella will find it difficult.
