Williams uses stage directions a lot in this section, to try and portray animal imagery and also to foreshadow the rape that occurs later in the play. The playwright uses instructions like “stalks into the bedroom,” and has Stella tell Stanley to “Be Still!” In an attempt to have the actor playing Stanley to behave more like a predator. The result of this would mean that Stanley appears more prevailing, especially in his own domain. This in turn would put greater emphasis on Blanche being able to talk to him the way she does at some points. The dramatist also uses stage directions to illustrate a metaphorical rape between Stanley and Blanche. Williams uses guidelines like “he jerks open small drawer,” and “pulls out a fist-full.” To help demonstrate the violent invasion of Blanche’s possessions that he wants to be seen by Stanley on stage. This raid of Stanley’s possessions is a symbolisation of Stanley’s ‘invasion’ of Blanche is used to show that Stanley’s dominance prevails. It is also a way of giving the audience a little taste of what to expect later on in the play, when Stanley does in fact rape Blanche.
Williams also uses stage directions in order to reveal a symbolism of the capitalist and northern invasion into the southern way of life. The playwright portrays this through Stanley, whilst Blanche is a symbol of the Southern way of life. Blanche is also being used as a representative of are born into wealth and a higher class. We get these impressions when we learn that Stanley had been a member of the army, and he most likely used this to gain residency into the United States. We find out about Blanche being born into money when we hear about her living in Belle Reve. The dramatist uses stage directions like “pulls open the wardrobe.” This shows that he is invading her privacy, but the reason he is doing this is because he thinks that she is keeping something from him, something that will make him some money. Williams here uses this portrayal of a southern invasion because it creates a contrast between the Dubois Sisters and everyone else. For example when Stella tells Stanley that they “Have different notions,” this shows the distinction which help to emphasise the rift between Blanche and Stanley. This representation of the capitalist values of the north invading the traditional values of the south helps explain the attitude of Stanley towards Blanche.
The playwright takes the liberty of developing the character during this section, and teaching the audience more about him .We don’t know much about his profession and his life away from the home, and so when Williams gives him the lines “then where’s the money?” and “I don’t like to be swindled!” Then it gives us the impression that maybe he is used to being the conman and not the mark. These lines also tell us more about Stanley and Stella’s financial situation, which gives greater contrast between Stanley and the DuBois sisters and explains more about Blanche’s attitude toward Stanley. During this section Williams also uses stage directions to show us more about Stanley “he kicks the trunk partly closed.” And “Jerks out an armful” These are ways of Williams telling the audience that not only can Stanley talk the talk, but he can also walk the walk.
Throughout this section, Williams gives the audience the privilege of knowing that Blanche can hear everything Stanley and Stella are saying, even thought the couple are not aware themselves. This dramatic irony is in direct contrast to Blanche’s attitude when she comes out of the bath, because the acts as if everything is going fine. The playwright gives Stanley the line “Solid Gold Dress!” This exaggeration hints that the dress is fake which is a symbol of the fakeness about blanche. This fakeness takes the trust that was built up by Stella away from Blanche.
So all in all, the dramatic impact that Tennessee Williams presents in this section, helps us to understand characters. He uses Stella’s trust in Blanche to give the audience more faith in Blanche. The playwright also portrays Stanley as being a more nasty person, and shows that he is not just trying to act tough, this also allows the audience to trust Blanche more.
