With an examination of this scene as you starting point, explore the ways in which Williams presents and uses the relationship of Blanche and Mitch in the play as a whole.
Mitch Says to Blanche at the end of Scene 6: "You need somebody. And I need somebody too. Could it be you and me, Blanche?" With an examination of this scene as you starting point, explore the ways in which Williams presents and uses the relationship of Blanche and Mitch in the play as a whole. Blanche and Mitch open scene six in a depressing and downbeat mood. The evening had failed and they are downhearted by their meagreness. They discuss their past relationships and through this we see a likeness between them. Mitch thinks he has been dull and hasn't been "entertaining" - "I'm afraid you haven't gotten much fun out of this evening." Blanche attempts to lighten the atmosphere as she pretends they are in French café, however this fails and this emphasises her inability to cope with reality as she is isolated in her imagination. Blanche laughs and says, "Is that streetcar named desire still grinding along at this hour." This metaphor also stresses her desire to escape the real world, as she grinds on in this dreary life. This want to escape is present throughout the play, as we see Williams constantly make Blanche bathe and drink. These are two ways in which Williams presents Blanche's guilt of her promiscuous past. Her guilt is escapable for Blanche and two things she frequently indulges in, - play a part in this distraction from the remorse. Blanche is seen drinking a
What impression of Blanche is created in the first scene of A Streetcar named disire?
What impression of Blanche is created in the first scene? Blanche is an extremely volatile, and is physically and emotionally insecure character to say the least. Her instabilities range from excessive vanity, to a need for alcohol, and a need to find unconditional love. Indeed, one could say that Blanche was a brought up as a prim and proper lady, yet in reality, like the white she is often referred to, time has tainted her. Prior to Blanches introduction, an atmosphere is set that is greatly linked to Blanche, while set in "Elysian fields" the setting is quite different to its name. Primarily, the houses have a white frame, weathered gray implying innocence lost. This idea is set many times throughout the course of this play in relation to Blanche. Even in the introduction, this idea is used a number of times with phrases like; "faded white stairs", & "the dim white building". An "atmosphere of decay" is depicted through out the play with the colour "brown". Be it the "brown river", or even the whiskey Blanche relies on, brown tends to symbolize negative facts. This taps into another idea, one could also say that colour plays a big part for blanche, as it does not only coincide with her love of fashion, but the book lets it, and music display emotions felt in specific parts of scenes. This is evident especially by the music playing in the background, "the blue piano".
How does Williams use Imagery and Symbolism to good Dramatic Effect
How does Williams use Imagery and Symbolism to good Dramatic Effect Throughout the play symbolism is used to capture attention and to appeal to viewers' emotions. It is expressed through music, colour and imagery all of which help to heighten tension and reflect the atmosphere created by an impending force. The actions involved in the development of imagery and symbolism in the characters are, for example, Blanche's sitting, her whisky drinking, her jumping, etc, actions which show her nervous personality of a stressed woman. "Blanche sits in a chair very stiffly with her shoulders slightly hunched and her legs pressed together...as if she were quite cold..." (page 6). Then her falling or slumping may show, apart from her stress, her insecurity and unpredictability. Then Stanley's throwing of the meat to Stella shows the male dominance of those times, the little respect towards women. Playing poker gives reference to gambling and therefore risk, maybe the risk of Stanley losing Stella due to his treatment towards her, the risk of Blanche being discovered about her lies, or the risk of Blanche ending up having sex with Mitch or Stanley. When Stanley undresses in front of Blanche, Williams suggests sexual intentions and the same happens when Blanche asks Stanley to help her dressing up. This is imagery intended to make the viewers see that there is more behind these simple
Streetcar Coursework 2
Lower Sixth AS Coursework Essay 2. Tennessee Williams said: "Blanche is weak and pitiful - almost a mental case." To what extent do you agree with this assessment of Blanche? Throughout A Streetcar Named Desire, Williams includes different areas of Blanche to help shape the audiences perception of her. However this quotation by Williams clearly shows the way that he wants Blanche to be seen by the audience, and when I look at the text, it is obvious that there are reasons that I agree and disagree with what Williams is saying. For instance Blanche always seems concerned about getting old by the way she lies about her age. But there is also the very independent side of Blanche's character that shows she is completely sane. Williams proves his point about Blanche's character during the play by teaching the audience about her obsession with bathing. The playwright includes a line in the first scene of the play, "Not till I've bathed!" This immediately shows that she is always worried about the way that she looks, and that she is not in the best condition. The reason she is so conscious about how she looks is because she is hoping to get married before she becomes old and unattractive. This becomes evident in the way that she lies about her age in scene VIII when she tells Stanley, "when you reach twenty seven!" Blanche's fascination with being clean also comes into the play
How far do the Kowalskis and the DuBois different notions lead to a tragic downfall?
How far do the Kowalskis' and the DuBois' "different notions" lead to a tragic downfall? "The Kowalskis and the DuBois have different notions", states Stanley in Scene Two, when he becomes curious over his wife's (Stella's) sister. In his opinion, she has "swindled" Stella out of her inheritance when she comes to 'visit' her sister at New Orleans - one of America's diverse cities. To him, her character is already dubious as we question her honesty, implying that the Kowalskis have a greater level of integrity. However, we begin to realise the difference between the Kowalskis and the DuBois is one of social background: Blanche DuBois comes from an aristocratic Southern family, whereas Stanley Kowalski comes from an immigrant family and is a proud member of the working class. When Stanley marries Stella- previously a DuBois, this makes a union between the two families. In doing so, Tennessee Williams allows us to see the Kowalskis and DuBois together, enabling us to note the Kowlaski belief in straight talking honesty, factual evidence and the "survival of the fittest", which is informed by their social position. Furthermore, these notions differ with Dubois belief and it is this difference in notions that creates conflict, and therefore leads to a tragic downfall. Williams detailed description of Blanches' appearance in Scene One portrays the difference in social background.
Streetcar Named Desire may be considered as much about being American and America, as about Blanche and Stanley. Consider this view with reference to at least one other text.
Streetcar Named Desire may be considered as much about being American and America, as about Blanche and Stanley. Consider this view with reference to at least one other text. Streetcar Named Desire is very much about both Blanche and Stanley, and Being American and America. Tennessee Williams shows us this by interrelating the two topics throughout the book. Williams raises important issues about what makes an American an American. He suggests that there is a divide that once existed, but has now crumbled and left a few people behind, such as Blanche. However he sets the play in a transitional stage, with the future of America being gown within Stella, her baby the representative of the America to be. The period of the play is one in which backgrounds and class structure means very little; America is now a land of equals. This leaves a rather large downfall for all those who live on the pride of their ancestry. This is part of Blanche's failure within this world, she very much prides herself on her heritage "Our first American ancestors were French Huguenots" Tennessee Williams shows us here that Blanche is very much part of Old America, and unlike her sister Stella, she is unable to change with the times. However she doesn't stop from trying to continue to live as an aristocrat, and we repeatedly see her holding herself above everyone else, whom she believes are lower
Escapism in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Escapism Escapism is an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy. There are various occasions throughout A Streetcar Named Desire in which Tennessee Williams carefully highlights some of the characters tendencies to draw upon certain forms of escapism when they feel it necessary. Drinking The use of alcohol as means of escapism is undoubtedly one of the most prominent motifs accentuated by Blanche. This is made evident by Williams from the onset of scene one through the stage directions: "Suddenly she notices something in a half opened closet. She springs up and crosses to it, and removes a whiskey bottle. She pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down." [page 6] This sudden desire to consume alcohol follows Eunice's questions concerning Belle Reve, an issue Blanche by all means would rather avoid. Unable to cope with the loss of the plantation and indeed the loss of life as she knows it, she turns to drink in an attempt to escape the reality of the situation. Following this, Blanche and Stella are finally reunited, however this surprise reunion will not come without question and Blanche knows this. In order to escape from the truth she yet again reaches for alcohol: "Open your pretty mouth and talk while I look around for some liquor! I know you must have some liquor in the place!" [page 7] This enables Blanche to escape
How do you respond to the view that Williams uses both, music and stage directions,
How do you respond to the view that Williams uses both, music and stage directions, to create an appropriate atmosphere and reinforce his major themes in the play? In the play Williams explores major themes, such as fear of death, desire, loneliness and madness. He uses various techniques to convey his ideas and demonstrate them through the behaviour of the protagonists. The stage directions and music are not only used to emphasise those themes, but also provide the audience with additional insight of the characters and offer new levels of interpretation and understanding of the plot. By applying music and stage directions throughout the play, Williams also helps the audience to understand the social context at the time. In Scenes one and three it is the most evident. One of the main musical accompaniments in the play used by Williams is the "blue piano". It is used in various occasions to emphasise the feeling of loneliness and anxiety as well as helping the audience to understand better the background of New Orleans. In the introductory stage directions Williams describes it as "being played with the infatuated fluency of brown fingers and "express[ing] the spirit of the life which goes on here", suggesting that New Orleans is a lively area with various cultures living there. The stage directions help to create a relaxed and carefree feeling to the scene. The Blue piano
Consider the effectiveness of this extract from 'A Streetcar Named Desire' with particular reference to what it adds to the play as a whole.
Consider the effectiveness of this extract from 'A Streetcar Named Desire' with particular reference to what it adds to the play as a whole. The extract that I shall be analysing is the start of Scene Nine (200-204), which concentrates on showing Blanche's reactions towards having her illusions shattered, and revealing her past to Mitch. This extract contains drama, tension, and gives the entire play a sense of secrets being revealed, without which, the play would not feel as complete. This extract is effective not only because it holds the audience's attention firmly, but also because the way language is used gives the entire scene a dark and mysterious air. This is a relatively small section, but crucial to the play as a whole because without it, the play would not contain finality towards Mitch. Blanche, to start with, is visibly shaken when approached by Mitch at her door. She had a suspicion that Mitch has been told by Stanley about her past, but blithely ignores this in favour of acting as if nothing at all is wrong. We know that this is true, due to Stanley's earlier comments. STANLEY: Say, do you happen to know somebody named Shaw? She knows that Stanley is aware of the truth, and becomes nervous, because she had heard him telling Stella about his intention to inform Mitch of this while she was bathing. She begins to ramble on, because she is so nervous of what he
Blanche is depicted as unstable from the beginning of the play. Discuss
Blanche is depicted as unstable from the beginning of the play. Discuss "A Streetcar Named Desire" was written by Tennessee Williams. The play is set in New Orleans were 'you are practically always just around the corner'. This means that it is a close knitted community and a cosmopolitan city 'where there is a relatively warm and easy intermingling of races'. Blanche is Stella's sister and she takes a Streetcar Named 'Desire' to one called 'Cemeteries' and 'ride six blocks and get off at Elysian Fields!'. This already gives us a foreshadowing of later events as she has been led by desire to her destruction or mental death. Blanche arrives and stays with her young sister, Stella. When we are first introduced to Blanche, she appears to be lost and out of place with the surroundings. She portrays vulnerability and people help her without her asking for help. On a first impression, she would appear innocent looking but as time goes on, we see that all is not as it is portrayed to be. She appears to be jumpy, nervous and fragile to small unnoticed sounds like when 'cat screeches'. We also get a glimpse of her true personality when she is alone, 'she pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down. She carefully replaces the bottle and washes out the tumbler at the sink'. The way she handles the drink gives us the impression that she is not new to the idea of drinking. When
