Scene 5 Stanley hints to Blanche that he

Scene 5 • Stanley hints to Blanche that he knows her true character and her past in Laurel • Blanche is highly anxious and blames it on her nervousness about her date with Mitch • At the end of the scene she kisses a young man who’s come to ask for a subscription to a local paper. Foreshadowing; avoidance and secrecy; connections to the past; power, seduction Subtext of Stanley’s dialogue. .

Quote from Scene 5 ‘-soft people have got to shimmer and glowthey’ve got to put on soft colours, the colours of butterfly wings, and put a - paper lantern over the light. . it isn’t enough to be soft. You’ve got to be soft and attractive. And I – I’m fading now! I don’t know how much longer I can turn the trick. ’ (Blanche to Stella, Scene 5, page 92) Analyse this quote in terms of Crit. B

Now you… In your groups, choose a quote from Scene 6 and Scene 7, one from each scene, that you think e. g. • is significant • shows something about the character, or a theme, or motif, or symbol. . (think Criteria B ) Once you’ve chosen, let me know and type it in the Word doc so we can all see it in a few mins. Be prepared to show, explain and justify your choice of quote in a few minutes to everyone else.

Scene 6 • 2 am – after Blanche and Mitch’s date • She tells him (and us) about falling in love at 16. . marrying. . and then ‘finding out’ (suggestion that her husband was gay). . she’d told him ‘you disgust me’ and soon after, he shot himself. • Polka music here fading in and out (her and her husband dancing) Music – a reminder to the audience Blanche’s choices (of men) have always been wrong. . She continues to lie (look at stage directions) juxtaposed with moments of truth

Scene 7 • mid-September (remember the play began in May), Blanche’s birthday • While Blanche is bathing, Stanley tells Stella about the facts he’s discovered about Blanche • He also tells Stella that he’s told Mitch about Blanche’s past too, and that Stanley’s bought Blanche a bus ticket leaving next week Another turning point. . how?

Music Paper Moon polka - the Varsouviana

Scene 8 • How is the setting (look at Williams’ stage directions at the beginning of the scene too) symbolic/significant/telling? • Why do you think Stanley acts the way he does here (particularly on page 131)? What does it show/emphasise/highlight…etc? • How do we see Stanley’s contempt towards Blanche in this scene? (Think of words and actions) • Consider Williams’ choice at the end of the scene in terms of plot (making Stella urge Stanley to take her to the hospital). . what it adds/brings to the scene and the characters Blanche, Stella, Stanley (are in this scene)