asked 39.8k views
2 votes
Scene 10 (A streetcar named desire)

1. In the first page of the scene (everything before Stanley shows up), what kind of impression is created of Blanche? What could the broken mirror symbolize?

2. What do Stanley's wedding pyjamas represent and foreshadow?

3. "We've had this date with each other since the beginning. What does this line of dialogue reveal about Stanley? What does it illuminate within his characterization?

4. Is Stanley's sexual assault of Blanche driven by sexual desire or the desire for power?

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

1. In the first page of the scene, Blanche is presented as anxious and nervous, indicating that she is feeling uneasy and uncomfortable. She is described as pacing, fidgeting, and repeatedly looking in the mirror. The broken mirror could symbolize her shattered self-image, reflecting her declining mental state and the loss of her youthful beauty.

2. Stanley's wedding pyjamas represent his animalistic and primal nature, foreshadowing his aggressive behavior towards Blanche later in the scene. The pyjamas also symbolize his dominant personality and his desire to exert control over his surroundings, including his wife and sister-in-law.

3. "We've had this date with each other since the beginning" reveals Stanley's possessive and aggressive nature. It illuminates his characterization as a controlling and dominant figure who believes that he is entitled to what he wants. The line indicates that he sees Blanche as a possession, rather than a person with agency and autonomy.

4. Stanley's sexual assault of Blanche is driven by the desire for power and control, rather than sexual desire. He uses his physical strength and dominance to assert his authority over her and show her that he is in charge. The assault is a manifestation of his frustration and anger towards Blanche, whom he sees as a threat to his relationship with his wife and his position in his community.

answered
User Jonathan Crooke
by
7.9k points
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.