Describe Blanche's relationship with Stanley in scene five. How does this latest conflict between them end. What seems to be the cause of their conflicts? What is the true cause of this conflict?
Blanche and Stanley have a very tense relationship in scene five. Blanche is insulting Stanley and his lower class life with comments such as suggesting he was born under Aries because he is "forceful and dynamic." Stanley responds by rudely probing into her past. He says, "say, do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?" He says that Shaw passes through Laurel a lot and says Blanche with prostitution in a hotel called the Flamingo. Blanches acts utterly insulted by the comment, claiming she would never be seen in such an establishment. The conversation ends with Stanley sardonically agreeing with Blanche that Shaw must have made a mistake. The primary cause of their conflicts seems to be the competition for Stella and that Stanley doesn't like fake people. Both Blanche and Stanley want time with Stella, and Blanche's presence is creating tension between Stanley and Stella. Additionally, Stanley doesn't like how Blanche is always bathing and how she acts promiscuously. I believe the true cause of this conflict is Tennessee Williams' first step towards the unraveling of Blanche's faux identity. Blanche has made up a new story for herself and this interaction is the first step towards discovering the truth about Blanche.
In scene six Blanche describes her experience with love in light imagery, yet scene six takes place mostly in the dark in candlelight. What is the effect of this on the viewer? Why might Blanche prefer dim light? Where else have references towards light and dark appeared in the play?
The effect of Blanche describing her experiences with love in light imagery, yet in a dark room, is to illustrate Blanche's unrealistic aspirations. She speaks of finding the perfect man and of past heart break in a light hearted tone. She also speaks of how she may find the perfect man one day to Mitch, inferring that she is into him and sees him a gentleman. The room is dark to show that Blanche's desires are unrealistic. Given her shady past, it isn't likely for her to find this true love. As it is, she is so self conscious about herself that she constantly bathes to feel rejuvenated. Blanche prefers dim light because it symbolizes her shady past. She has made up a new identity for this story and dim light serves as a reminder that Blanche isn't the perfect, beautiful teacher figure she tries to make herself out to be. Other references to light and dark appear when Blanche places the paper lantern over the light. She feels uncomfortable with the beaming light and places the lantern over it to mask its beams, as she masks her old story.
Blanche and Stanley have a very tense relationship in scene five. Blanche is insulting Stanley and his lower class life with comments such as suggesting he was born under Aries because he is "forceful and dynamic." Stanley responds by rudely probing into her past. He says, "say, do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?" He says that Shaw passes through Laurel a lot and says Blanche with prostitution in a hotel called the Flamingo. Blanches acts utterly insulted by the comment, claiming she would never be seen in such an establishment. The conversation ends with Stanley sardonically agreeing with Blanche that Shaw must have made a mistake. The primary cause of their conflicts seems to be the competition for Stella and that Stanley doesn't like fake people. Both Blanche and Stanley want time with Stella, and Blanche's presence is creating tension between Stanley and Stella. Additionally, Stanley doesn't like how Blanche is always bathing and how she acts promiscuously. I believe the true cause of this conflict is Tennessee Williams' first step towards the unraveling of Blanche's faux identity. Blanche has made up a new story for herself and this interaction is the first step towards discovering the truth about Blanche.
In scene six Blanche describes her experience with love in light imagery, yet scene six takes place mostly in the dark in candlelight. What is the effect of this on the viewer? Why might Blanche prefer dim light? Where else have references towards light and dark appeared in the play?
The effect of Blanche describing her experiences with love in light imagery, yet in a dark room, is to illustrate Blanche's unrealistic aspirations. She speaks of finding the perfect man and of past heart break in a light hearted tone. She also speaks of how she may find the perfect man one day to Mitch, inferring that she is into him and sees him a gentleman. The room is dark to show that Blanche's desires are unrealistic. Given her shady past, it isn't likely for her to find this true love. As it is, she is so self conscious about herself that she constantly bathes to feel rejuvenated. Blanche prefers dim light because it symbolizes her shady past. She has made up a new identity for this story and dim light serves as a reminder that Blanche isn't the perfect, beautiful teacher figure she tries to make herself out to be. Other references to light and dark appear when Blanche places the paper lantern over the light. She feels uncomfortable with the beaming light and places the lantern over it to mask its beams, as she masks her old story.