Expressionism in Scene 10

Following the SD:


Lurid reflections appear on the walls around BLANCHE. The shadows are of a grotesque and menacing form. She catches her breath, crosses to the phone and jingles the hook. STANLEY goes in to the bathroom and closes the door.

Scene 10 then moves in to an expressionistic mode as reality becomes distorted by Blanche’s subjective vision of it.
 

NB: If something is subjective it is based on a individual’s personal perception and is influenced by their own thoughts/feelings.

 

'Expressionism' was a cultural movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the start of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world under an utterly subjective perspective, violently distorting it to obtain an emotional effect and vividly transmit personal moods and ideas.

 

 Following this, Williams blurs the distinction between subjective and objective reality by momentarily making the apartment's walls become 'transparent.' Thus, the sordid reality of exterior - tthe street (the prostitute's encounter with the drunkard, the violence, the theft etc) mingle with the interior of the apartment. In effect, Williams uses this dramatic technique to (a) exemlify what reality is to Blanche: i.e. violence, immorality, theft etc and also (b) as a metaphor for Blanche's internal conflict. She sees some of her own personal struggles being played out on the street.

In Scene 10, Williams pits the weak against the strong. Scene 10 is when Blanche is arguably at her most fragile and Stanley is at his most jubliant. (Remember he is just about to become a dad!) Therefore, the tragic impact of his rape of her is all the more potent.

Stanley's rape of Blanche seems to have been fated all along; "We've had this date with each other from the beginning!"

 

By not showing the rape on stage, Williams heightens the sense of its offensiveness and ultimately reflects notions of acceptable stage behaviour held by Americans in the 1940's. Our sense of the rape's inevitably is another reason perhaps as to why it is unnecessary to stage it.

**Blanche's rape symbolises the final destruction of the 'old' South's genteel fantasy world**