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Key Scene Essay - Scene 10 (Point 1 (Analysis (Blanche's clothes show…
Key Scene Essay - Scene 10
Point 1
Statement
Fantasy vs reality is a key conflict built up throughout the play. Stanley's rape of Blanche in scene 10 is the final battle between these two worldviews which forces Blanche to be completely enveloped by her fantasy world to protect herself from the harsh and cruel reality of Stanley's.
Quotations
Stage Directions
"soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers with brilliants set in their heels."
"Tremblingly she lifts the hand mirror for a closer inspection. She catches her breath and slams the mirror face down with such violence that the glass cracks."
Dialogue
"And lies and conceit and tricks!" - Stanley to Blanche - Scene 10
"I've been onto you from the start! Not once did you pull any wool over this boy's eyes!" - Stanley to Blanche - Scene 10
Analysis
Blanche's clothes show that she is still trying to put on this facade of innocence. The bedraggled nature of these clothes show that it's not working - everyone now knows Blanche's true past and she isn't fooling anyone. She isn't even fooling herself which is shown when she looks into the mirror and smashes it.
Her traumatic rape forces her to be completely encompassed by her fantasies and delusions in order to hide herself from the harsh, violent and real world. This leads to her complete mental breakdown.
Her facade is completely broken but she still lives in it as she can't deal with the real world.
Good concluding scene as it's the finale of all this conflict which had started at the beginning of the play. Shows dangers of living in fantasies as well as the cruelty of reality.
Reality triumphs over fantasy.
Point 2
Statement
Not only does scene 10 end the conflict of fantasy vs reality but also of the fight for superiority between the Old South and the New America. Blanche represents this genteel, cultured, rich and snobbish Old South whereas Stanley represents the brash, violent, realistic and straight-forward New America.
Quotations
Dialogue
"Yes, swine! Swine! And I'm thinking not only of you but of your friend, Mr Mitchell." - Blanche to Stanley - Scene 10
"He dared to come here in his work-clothes!" - Blanche to Stanley - Scene 10
"What queen do you think you are?" - Stanley to Blanche - Scene 10
Analysis
Blanche and Stanley are of different classes - Blanche:Upper and Stanley:Working
Old South - Genteel, Cultured, Snobbish, Rich
New America - Brash, Violent, Realistic, Straight Forward.
Play is centered around putting these two worlds up against each other until one is destroyed.
Blanche's rape by Stanley is symbolic of the New America taking over the Old South and the destruction of that civilised society at the hands of a violent one.
Good concluding scene as throughout play these worlds have been in conflict with the Old South dying and now we see its inevitable death.
Point 3
Statement
Male domination is a theme shown throughout the play but is especially prominent in this scene through Stanley's rape of Blanche and how she believes that her only way of escape is with the help of a man.
Quotations
Dialogue
"I want to get in touch with Mr Shep Huntleigh of Dallas." - Blanche on Wireless - Scene 10
"In desperate, desperate circumstances! Help me! Caught in a trap." - Blanche on Wireless - Scene 10
Stage Directions
"He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed."
Analysis
Stanley dominates Blanche by raping her. He can get what we wants without any consequences.
Woman rely heavily on men in this world. Even in Blanche's desperate situation she calls on a man to save her.
Lots of men a violent towards woman in the play and get away with it.
Good concluding scene because it shows the full extent of what men can get away with and forces audience to think about similarities to their own world.
Point 4
Statement
Sexual desire and the destruction it can cause is a central concern of the text. Blanche's rape in scene 10 is testament to Williams' message of the dangers of desire and the destruction it can cause.
Quotations
Dialogue
"Come to think of it - maybe you wouldn't be bad to - interfere with..." Stanley to Blanche - Scene 10
"What he wants is my companionship" - Blanche to Stanley - Scene 10
"What you are talking about it brutal desire - just - Desire! - the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter" - Blanche to Stella - Scene 4
"piece by piece, our improvident grandfathers and father and uncles and brother exchanged the land for their epic fornications" - Blanche to Stanley - Scene 2
Analysis
Sexual desire has destroyed many things in the play: Belle-Reve, Blanche's life.
Stanley's sexual desire utterly destroy Blanche
What Blanche really wants is companionship.
Good concluding ending as it serves as a potent reminder of one of the key concerns of the text and the dangers that it poses.