Scene 4

In Scene 4 we discussed the role desire plays in various characters’ lives, whether it be their hamartia or a catalyst to their plot progression. We also considered how desire seemingly acts as a justification for immorality, betrayal and cruelty.

General Notes:

• Note: bromo — something for a hangover
• This scene is perhaps the most rational we see of Blanche + as a modern audience, side with her
• New Orleans: portrayed as a place where these relationships (volatile, explosive) is a normalcy.
• Blanche’s tragic fall: her mental deterioration
• Pin: used to represent committed relationship that may lead to engagement

Actions etc:

• Stanley getting his car greased — a mundane thing, as if nothing happened
• Stella talks about the radio being fixed, ‘only a tube fell out’ — symbolism for the relationship? As if the fight is just something that can be fixed later.
• Widening gap/drift between the sisters
  • ‘Breakfast’ ‘Mess’ — Stella always tries to change subject while Blanche wants her to elaborate.
  • Stella doesn’t understand Blanche’s dramatic reactions, wants to stay with Stanley
  • Stella: a realist (the traffic thing). Blanche: a fantasist.
  • Blanche doesn’t know how to dial
• Ten dollars for abuse??? Unacceptable!!!!
• Shep Huntleigh: deus ex machina?

Quotes:

• ‘terrible row’
  • Euphemises it? Stella laughs it off like it’s a trivial matter.
• “I was — sort of — thrilled by it.”
  • Stella is almost blind to Stanley’s abuse/cruel actions
  • Poker parties, drinking; Stanley’s ‘pleasure’, Stella uses pleasure to justify cruelty
  • Blanche’s morality gone? Flirts with her sister’s husband
• ‘Some things happen between a man and woman in the dark…’
  • Used to justify. Alluding to sex; can ignore everything
  • Stella doesn’t see Stanley cleaning up after himself — doesn’t even consider it an option
• ‘Desire’ brought me here…
  • A big metaphor for sex/lust.
  • ‘Brought me here’, suggests non-consensual. Something to do with her past.
  • Learnt from experience that desire brings downfall — desire is Blanche’s hamartia.
• ‘To go out with three times… if the devil is in you…’
  • Uses the word ‘devil’ — sees desire/sex as sin and possessed/consuming. That’s why Blanche bathes a lot (cleansing, etc.)
    • Wouldn’t have been acceptable in the 1930s to sleep around etc
• ‘Blanche springs up’
  • Erratic movements show her unease and fragility, like a scared prey.
• ‘I’m going to do something about it!’
  • Theme of escaping, Blanche trying to make a new life for herself
• ‘grease stains, seersucker pants…’
  • Contrast b/w Blanche and Stanley, shows social class divide. Re-enforces the fact that he’s common.
  • Dramatic irony since he’s eavesdropping
• ‘Stanley licks his lips’
  • Links in with Blanche’s monologue: predatory action, like he’s ready for the kill
• (Train brings Stanley, train Stanley re-enters)
  • Symbolises rising tension
  • Train leads people — Stanley is the leader/driving, Blanche is just a passing object
  • Stanley is bringing package — same like the meat in Scene 1
• (Blue piano stage direction)
  • Blanche’s mindset
  • Dramatic irony; audience knows Stanley overheard
  • Stella runs to Stanley; basically has won Stella. Animals, if they’re challenged they fight it out. Feels like he needs to defend what he has.
  • Can act cool even during times of tension like this — sinister. Frustrating Blanche. Contrast with previous scene because he was explosive

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