A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Scene 10 Scene Ten

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Scene 10

Scene Ten ■ This scene is the dramatic climax of the play ■ Throughout this scene Williams uses every means available to create an atmosphere of menace: – opening stage directions – Blanche’s “soiled and crumpled” evening dress and her “scuffed silver slippers” – When she breaks the mirror we are reminded that this brings bad luck

Scene Ten – Stagecraft – when Stanley turns on Blanche her terror takes on a visible form as “grotesque and menacing” shapes close in around her – the ugly, violent scenes within the apartment are mirrored by the ugly, violent scenes on the street outside – the effect of the “inhuman voices likes cries in a jungle” and sinuous shadows on the walls around Blanche are to create a shocking visual and sound impact in keeping with the horror of a man raping his sister-in-law while his wife is giving birth to their child

The Rape ■ Williams mimics classical tragedy by not showing the rape. Why? – the omission of the rape heightens our sense of its effectiveness – its omission also reflects the notions of acceptable stage behaviour held by Americans in 1947 – the sense of the inevitability of the rape is another reason why it seems unnecessary that it takes place on-stage

The Rape ■ The way Stanley terrorises Blanche by shattering her self-delusions parallels and foreshadows his physical rape of her ■ The impending rape is symbolised through Stanley’s macho animalistic body language – “snake”, “springs towards her”. He is described as more animal-like than human ■ Stage directions – the jungle noises symbolise the primitive nature of Stanley and danger for Blanche ■ His rape of Blanche when he is at his most triumphant ( just before the birth of his son) and she is at her most psychologically vulnerable symbolises the ultimate act of cruelty

The Rape ■ The rape symbolises the final destruction of the Old South’s genteel fantasy world symbolised by Blanche, by the cruel but vibrant present symbolised by Stanley ■ The rape further symbolises that in the new world of the South, animal instinct and common sense win out over lofty ideals and romantic notions

The Rape ■ Blanche’s silent resignation as Stanley carries her to the bed indicates the utter defeat of her will ■ If the rape symbolises realism, then surely this means that Blanche’s world of dreams and fantasies is a better alternative

Stagecraft ■ The transparent setting illustrates that home is not a safe option for Blanche. There is danger on the street and in the apartment ■ The use of the “lurid reflections” on the wall convey the nightmare world that Blanche now finds herself in ■ The use of the blue piano music symbolises sadness and loss. All Blanche’s dreams have now been destroyed

Stagecraft ■ Immediately before the rape the noise of the approaching locomotive signifies the idea of fate for Blanche

■ Changing perception of character Our opinion of Stanley has changed greatly from the very beginning of the play ■ At the start of the play he is more likeable and down to earth than Blanche ■ He lacks her pretension and he represents the new America where reward is based on merit and good work and not dependent on being born into fortunate circumstances ■ By this time, it is clear he is a brutish monster, who seems to take pleasure in cruelty ■ He uses violence ultimately as a means of control – this is not about sexual attraction; it is about power and humiliation, like most sexual violence