- A disjointed scene with many shifts in mood.
- Three quarters of an hour later: 3 Unities (action, time and place). Full impact of tragedy realised by presenting the scene in this way. The tragedy is compacted and resultantly its impact intensified for effect.
- Light described in SD: “blazes” & “pierced.”
- Blanche tries to maintain a brave face even though she says, “I’ve been stood up by my beau.”
Key points for consideration in Scene 8
- What is the significance of Blanche’s story about the parrot?
- How is Stanley portrayed as increasingly animalistic in this scene? Find a quote to support your viewpoint.
- Consider Stanley and Stella’s relationship.
- At the end of Scene 8, Stella goes in to labour. Williams uses this incident to resolve a difficult part of the plot and provide some momentary relief for Blanche. This is an example of his use of deus ex machina = Latin phrase ‘god out of the machine’: essentially a plot device often used by playwrights to resolve difficult parts of the plot.
- ‘Nobody, nobody, was tender and trusting as she was. But people like you abused her, and forced her to change.’ – Discuss/argue/persuade – Is this Williams showing his sympathy to his tragic heroine and thus perhaps affording sympathy to fragile femininity?
HOMEWORK QUESTIONS FOR THURSDAY
1. How does Mitch’s absence contribute significantly to this scene?
2. Why does Stanley bristle when Blanche uses the word ‘Polack?’ (Link to context)
· 3. What part do telephone calls play in the structure of the scene? Why does Williams incorporate them?
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