The Kowlaski’s marriage is shown in an unhappy light in scene three in which Stanley hosts a poker game at the apartment whilst the girls go out for dinner and a show. Blanche becomes friendly with Stanley’s close friend Mitch, making Stanley even more irritated with Blanche. After Mitch has been speaking with Blanche in the bedroom, Stanley explodes, storms in on them, and throws the radio out of the window, after already telling them to turn it off. When Stella yells at Stanley and defends Blanche, Stanley beats her drunkenly. Stella flees after Stanley hits her but soon returns to his cries. Blanche cannot believe that her sister’s returned to him. We see here that Stanley, or rather his animal magnetism is the only thing that makes Stella truly happy. But Blanche is strongly against the couple’s reasons for staying together; maybe she is just looking out for her little sister.
The next scene sees Stella trying to explain to Blanche why her relationship works. Blanche cannot understand why her sister is still with a ‘mad man’. She begins to make plans for Stella and her to stay with an old millionaire she used to know called Shep Huntleigh. Blanche tries to convince Stella to leave Stanley for a better man who’s socially equal. Stanley arrives home halfway into the sister’s conversation and hears Blanche making fun of him. It is obvious to the audience that he has overheard but ironically Blanche doesn’t even consider the fact. Later, he threatens Blanche with hints that he has heard rumours of her past. I think it is interesting that Stanley does not lash out at Blanche at that point, it seems he has something more planned in the near future.
In the following scene, whilst Blanche is alone in the apartment waiting for Mitch to pick her up for a date, a teenage boy comes to collect money for the newspaper. Blanche doesn’t have any money for him, but she gives him a lustful kiss. This shows us even though she believes her heart belongs to Mitch it is clearly running an un-even path to self-destruction, it also reveals her deeply hidden self. Soon after the boy departs, Mitch arrives, and they go on their date. When Blanche returns she is exhausted and has clearly been uneasy for the entire night about the rumours Stanley mentioned earlier. Blanche then, surprisingly, has a deep conversation with Mitch about her husband who tragically died years ago after committing suicide. It turns out that Blanche blames herself for the entire thing as she condemned him after discovering his homosexuality. Coincidentally Mitch has been through an experience much the same. This brings them together and we can see real affection between the couple despite the fact that she will not let him kiss her. It seems she may have changed her ways and finally wants to be happy, but wants to do it right, unlike in the past.
When the next scene begins it is the afternoon of Blanche’s birthday, about one month later. Stella is preparing a birthday dinner when Stanley tells her he has news of Blanche’s sordid past. He says that after losing Belle Reve, Blanche moved into a motel from which she conducted her numerous sexual liaisons. Also, she was fired from her job because it was discovered that she was having an affair with a student. Stella is horrified to learn that Stanley has told Mitch these stories about Blanche. Although Stella does not know whether or not to believe these stories she still remains convinced of Blanche’s innocence in all cases. Mitch never arrives to the birthday dinner. Stanley indicates to Blanche that he is aware of her past. For a birthday present he gives her a one-way bus ticket back home. Stanley’s cruelty causes Stella to ‘have words’ and it appears the Kowlaski household is about to break up, but Stella’s labour prevents the forthcoming fight reminding us that it is necessary for the couple to remain together. The birth of the baby should surely change Stanley’s approach to lashing out but we don not really find out whether this is the so or not, it remains untold once the play is ended.
Later Blanche sits alone in the apartment. Mitch, who has been drinking heavily, arrives. He repeats to her everything that he’s learned from Stanley about her sordid past. Blanche’s currently weak nature causes her to confess that the stories are true. Having learned that Blanche is not the innocent woman she pretended to be Mitch decided that he can no longer wait and that he wants what everyone else has already had. He tries to force himself upon her but she forces him to leave by shouting “Fire!” to attract the attention of passers-by outside, showing she is not as ‘easy’ as Tennessee Williams would have earlier made her out to be. She does not want it to be just sex with Mitch but something deeper and more meaningful.
Later, Stanley returns from the hospital to find Blanche in what seems to be another world. She tells him she will soon be leaving to join her millionaire friend. Stanley knows that Blanche’s story is entirely imagination, but he is happy about his new baby and proposes they both celebrate their good fortune. When Blanche tries to step past Stanley, he refuses to move and she becomes scared of him. Blanche becomes terrified and even smashes a bottle on the table threatening to smash it in Stanley’s face. Stanley grabs her arm and although Blanche resists, Stanley uses his physical strength to overcome, and carry her to the bed where he achieves what Mitch didn’t. This is the turning point in the play, whereas before Stanley and Blanche had been fighting for the power between them it is clear that now Stanley will overcome Blanche. However we are left wondering is she raped or is she willing? It is also interesting how Blanche seems to be in a different reality in her imagination, this could be the very start of her descent but this could also be the beginning of the end.
The next scene takes place weeks later, as Stella and her neighbour Eunice pack Blanche’s bags. Blanche is in the bath, and Stanley is playing poker with friends in the main room. A doctor is due to arrive and take Blanche away, but Blanche believes she is leaving to join her millionaire. Stella confesses to Eunice that she simply cannot allow herself to believe Blanche’s claim that Stanley raped her. The audience can wonder whether this is just because Stella loves Stanley more or because Stella believes Blanche is lying.
The doctor arrives with a nurse, and Blanche panics and struggles against them. Eunice has to hold Stella back to keep her from interfering. Finally the doctor approaches Blanche in a gentle manner and convinces her to leave with him. She is lead away, does not turn back or even say goodbye. Stella sobs with her child in her arms, and Stanley comforts her with loving words. Stanley explained to Stella earlier in the play that once Blanche had gone it would mean the start of their new life, however, the guilt that has been laid on Stella will never go away and if Stanley can not stand this it could mean a new life for each of them separately, just as Blanche had wanted.
