Kelso High School

1
Kelso High School

• A Streetcar named Desire
• by Tennessee Williams

2
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 Blanches soiled and
  crumpled evening dress and her scuffed silver
  slippers
• When she breaks the mirror we are reminded that
  this brings bad luck

3
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

4
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

5
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
  Stanleys 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

6
The Rape

• The rape symbolises the final destruction of the
  Old Souths 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

7
The Rape

• Blanches 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 Blanches world of dreams and
  fantasies is a better alternative

8
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 Blanches dreams have now
  been destroyed

9
Stagecraft

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

10
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