Blanche

Question 1

Scene 11

Answer 1

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

Question 2

Scene 11 Analysis

Answer 2

• tragic closing line reveals her vulnerability and naivety
• irony of “kindness” given the abuse she’s faced -reflects the theme of powerlessness and victimisation.
• emphasises her passivity and reliance on others for survival
• makes her symbolic of a decaying Southern Belle in a harsh modern world.

Question 3

Scene 2

Answer 3

“I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it.”

Question 4

Scene 2 Analysis - bled [4]

Answer 4

• portrays Blanche as a tragic figure
• fighting a losing battle to hold onto the past and old Southern values.
• the violent imagery of “bled” and “died” underlines her emotional sacrifice and desperation
• links to the theme of the Old South vs the New America

Question 5

Scene 3

Answer 5

“I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action”

Question 6

Scene 3 Analysis [3]

Answer 6

• this draws a parallel between Blanche’s discomfort in bright light and her sensitivity to Stanley’s brutishness
• it shows us Blanche’s fragility and her fears of being exposed to the world is directly linked to her being exposed emotionally
• it also shows Blanche is trying to uphold her Southern Belle façade and that she is too sensitive for this world.

Question 7

Scene 5

Answer 7

“Run along now! It would be nice to keep you but I’ve got to be good and keep my hands off children”

Question 8

Scene 5 Analysis - run along [5]

Answer 8

• Blanche cannot keep away from her desires, it is almost uncontrollable for her
• she cannot stand Stella and Stanley’s relationship
• she feels such loneliness and guilt that it causes her to act in highly inappropriate ways, which she is aware of herself when she says she’s “got to be good”
• the audience now sees for themselves her obsession with younger men
• this may have an effect on their sympathy for Blanche