Scene 8 1
Quote Analysis
Light/dark Imagery
Links to the repeated use of lighting to create light/dark
imagery. Here, darkness is descending, signally Blanches
’fading gradually into a still-golden
depressed mood at the possibility of losing Mitch but the
dusk’ (pg. 76)
remaining light implies that there is still hope in Blanches
mind.
This choice of lighting may be symbolic of Stanley’s
‘torch of sunlight blazes’ (pg. 76) exposition of Blanche, exposing her to a ‘naked’ light and
revealing her facade.
The small candle light being saved by Blanche for the ‘baby’s
birthday’ may be symbolic of the innocence of childhood.
‘starts lighting the candles’ (pg. 79) Blanches desire to preserve these symbols may imply that
she values innocence, revealing her southern values, and
reflects her own wish to device others into her innocence.
May be a representation of William’s ambivalence towards
‘His auntie knows that candles aren’t the Old South in that while he appreciated the old way of life,
safe’ (pg. 79) as Blanche does a state of innocence, he recognised that it
was a flawed way of life.
Other Points
Blanche’s anecdote creates dramatic irony between the
‘This old maid, she had a parrot that cursed
audience and the play as the audience knows more than
a blue streak’ (pg. 77)
Blanche does at this moment in time.
Blanche's facade is shown in the stage directions here,
illustrating hr false mood and personality. The adjective ‘tight’,
‘Blanche has a tight, artificial smile drawn
however, may imply that it is becoming harder for Blanche to
on her face.’ (pg. 76)
maintain her facade due to Stanley’s accusations in the
previous scene.
Here there is a role reversal between Stella’s actions at the
start of the play and her actions here as her disgust opposes
‘Mr Kowalski is too busy making a pig of her thrill at Stanley throwing up a piece of meat in Scene 1.
himself’ (pg. 77) Many see this as evidence that Stanley is justified in his
destruction of Blanche as he is loosing Stella and his
marriage as she returns to her sisters old way of life.
Stanley’s violence here reflects his desire to attain respect
‘[hurls a plate to the floor]’
through brute force.
Here Stanley asserts his male dominance further resembling
male chauvinist ideals. He is expecting to be respected and
obeyed in his own home however as Blanche’s arrival has
undermined this, with the two sisters criticising his manners
‘Remember what Huey Long said- “every
manners from a higher class perspective.
Man is a King!” And I’m the king around
Huey Long- The reference to a populist politician from the
here.’ (pg. 77)
30th’s, who spoke out for the rights of the working class and
a redistribution of wealth both indicates Stanley's faith in
modernist views and ideals and his belief in his own
superiority over the Old South.
1Chauvinist male- a male who patronises, disparages, or otherwise denigrates females in the belief
that they are inferior to males and thus deserving of less than equal treatment or benefit.
Quote Analysis
Light/dark Imagery
Links to the repeated use of lighting to create light/dark
imagery. Here, darkness is descending, signally Blanches
’fading gradually into a still-golden
depressed mood at the possibility of losing Mitch but the
dusk’ (pg. 76)
remaining light implies that there is still hope in Blanches
mind.
This choice of lighting may be symbolic of Stanley’s
‘torch of sunlight blazes’ (pg. 76) exposition of Blanche, exposing her to a ‘naked’ light and
revealing her facade.
The small candle light being saved by Blanche for the ‘baby’s
birthday’ may be symbolic of the innocence of childhood.
‘starts lighting the candles’ (pg. 79) Blanches desire to preserve these symbols may imply that
she values innocence, revealing her southern values, and
reflects her own wish to device others into her innocence.
May be a representation of William’s ambivalence towards
‘His auntie knows that candles aren’t the Old South in that while he appreciated the old way of life,
safe’ (pg. 79) as Blanche does a state of innocence, he recognised that it
was a flawed way of life.
Other Points
Blanche’s anecdote creates dramatic irony between the
‘This old maid, she had a parrot that cursed
audience and the play as the audience knows more than
a blue streak’ (pg. 77)
Blanche does at this moment in time.
Blanche's facade is shown in the stage directions here,
illustrating hr false mood and personality. The adjective ‘tight’,
‘Blanche has a tight, artificial smile drawn
however, may imply that it is becoming harder for Blanche to
on her face.’ (pg. 76)
maintain her facade due to Stanley’s accusations in the
previous scene.
Here there is a role reversal between Stella’s actions at the
start of the play and her actions here as her disgust opposes
‘Mr Kowalski is too busy making a pig of her thrill at Stanley throwing up a piece of meat in Scene 1.
himself’ (pg. 77) Many see this as evidence that Stanley is justified in his
destruction of Blanche as he is loosing Stella and his
marriage as she returns to her sisters old way of life.
Stanley’s violence here reflects his desire to attain respect
‘[hurls a plate to the floor]’
through brute force.
Here Stanley asserts his male dominance further resembling
male chauvinist ideals. He is expecting to be respected and
obeyed in his own home however as Blanche’s arrival has
undermined this, with the two sisters criticising his manners
‘Remember what Huey Long said- “every
manners from a higher class perspective.
Man is a King!” And I’m the king around
Huey Long- The reference to a populist politician from the
here.’ (pg. 77)
30th’s, who spoke out for the rights of the working class and
a redistribution of wealth both indicates Stanley's faith in
modernist views and ideals and his belief in his own
superiority over the Old South.
1Chauvinist male- a male who patronises, disparages, or otherwise denigrates females in the belief
that they are inferior to males and thus deserving of less than equal treatment or benefit.
