Motifs and symbolism Flashcards
(65 cards)
How does Stanley contrast the idea of Blanches affinity to darkness?
“He holds the bottle to the light to observe the depletion”
Stanley’s first instinct is to see how much alcohol is missing.
He uses the light to foreshadow how he will eventually bring to light everything Blanche is hiding.
What does the paper lantern represent?
“Tearing it off the light bulb”
Symbolic of revealing the truth.He brings back the light which signifies the truth into their lives.
However, Stanley’s affiliation with the truth and light is not a positive one, his violent actions, depicted by William’s, are more a reflection of how crude reality is.
What does the motif of bathing represent?
Coping with the subconscious guilt from past experiences and misdeeds to achieve a sense of peace through cleansing
“I take hot baths for my nerves-hydro-therapy they call it.”
“Wash her sins away”
“Feeling like a brand new being”
Blanche baths or finishes bathing when there are moments of conflict such as when Stanley slaps Stella and when Stanley is revealing Blanches past to Stella.
Animal imagery quotes…
Blanche sarcastically refers to the hotel flamingo where she met many men back in laurel as the ‘Tarantula arms” and claims “yes a big spider!”Thats where I bought my victims.” And says she “was hunting for some protection-here and there”
Beta Male…
-Mitch is a parallel to Stanley as foil from the start
-Uses Mitch to represent the non-hegemonic ,beta male, masculine but with a touch of sensitivity and gentleness genuinely perceived as feminine characteristics
When is the beta male persona of Mitch shattered?
-This is briefly shattered when Mitch presents his machismo, entitlement and sexism
-After finding out the truth about Blanches past, he almost forces himself onto her, turning cruel.
-“Blanche is now “dirty”.Mitch says that “Your not clean enough to bring in a house with my mother” portraying his underlying misogyny
-Hope is shattered that was built on Mitch representing the ‘decent man’
-Demonstrates the depths of toxic masculinity and sexism in society that infiltrate’s even the gentle souls.
-In his worse moments being drunk and heartbroken his true colours are revealed
-Becomes subdued and sorrowful and also has a lot of resentment towards Stanley.
How are Mitch and Allan similar?
-Mitch throughout the play speaks about his clothes, his appearance and his physiology which is not typically masculine for the social context of the play.
-So, Allan and Mitch in this sense both harbour a sense of femininity.
What does the paper Lantern represent when Mitch rips it of the light bulb?
-This action is unnerving and uncharacteristic for him
-Blanche lets out a frightened gasp and when he turns on the light she cries out
-Aggressive actions symbolising him emerging out of the darkness of the fake perception he has of Blanche
-Proceeds to half-heartedly “fumble to embrace her” to show his desire and he forces himself onto her believing he is entitled to it however he fails to do it.
Alpha male…
-In the study of social animals this is characterised as the highest ranking specimen in an established dominance hierachy
-Stanley=”alpha male” by using animal imagery
How does Stanley present animal charactersitics?
-Establishes power through his aggressive actions when he “Hurls” “jerks”, “shoves”, “throws”,”snatches”, “rips”, “seizes”, “spears”, “slams.” William uses such dictation to accentuate the brutish force with which treats the world around him.
-Stanley has an Unapologetic male gaze and uses his sexuality and strength to propel his dominance.”He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, rude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them.
-“BLANCHE[Drawing involuntarily back from his stare]” is an example of him “sizing up “creates an animal effect of assessing prey.
-The rape of Blanche enables Stanley to assert his dominance through sex.
-“Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh”(stellas)This portrays how Stanley needs to use sexual and physical acts to threats.
-Uses sex rather than words to apologise when he abuses her he ‘makes’ up for it through sex but never actually apologises.”He kneels beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse” This happens when Stella is weeping over Blanche.
-During rape scene, “the night is filled with inhuman voices like cries in a jungle flame” and Stanley “springs” at Blanche shouting “tiger” furthering this idea of his primitive, animalistic characteristics.
Poker games symbolism…
-establishes him as an alpha male and the antithesis of Blanche
-His excessive drinking aggravates his innate violence, it is socially acceptable for him to be inebriated but Blanche has to do it in private as its her coping mechanism (may also reflect the sexism)
“BLANCHE: poker is so fascinating. Could I kibitz?”
“STANLEY: You could not. Why don’t you women go up and sit with Eunice?”
-Misogyny is exhibited on multiple occasions surrounding poker games
-In his world he is the “King” as he puts it. His only threat as we see, unironically, is a sensitive women who showcase masculine traits.
What does the name Blanche symbolize?
Purity and innocence
The name is derived from the French word for white, which contrasts with her character in the play.
What does Dubois mean?
Of wood
Wood symbolizes strength and durability, which is ironic as Blanche is fragile and unstable.
What is the irony in Blanche’s character?
Her name and character are opposites
Blanche’s name represents purity, while her actions reveal her manipulative nature.
What does Blanche describe her name as meaning in scene three?
White woods
She explains that her name combines meanings of both white and wood.
How can Blanche DuBois’s name be interpreted?
As ‘white and made of wood’
This interpretation highlights her chaste appearance contrasted with her manipulative behavior.
What does Blanche’s character reveal about her nature?
She appears pure but is unyielding and manipulative
Her name reflects the duality of her character and her pursuit of a husband.
What happens to Mitch at the end of the play?
He is left alone and lonely
This mirrors Blanche’s own loneliness.
What does the character of Blanche drive in the play?
The central conflict
Her identity and the contrast between her appearance and reality create tension.
Fill in the blank: Blanche’s entire name is profoundly _______.
symbolic
True or False: Blanche is characterized as strong and stable.
False
She is actually characterized as fragile and unstable.
At the start of the play, how is Blanche perceived?
Pure, harmless, and untainted
This perception changes as her past is revealed.
What does Blanche’s trunk symbolize?
Blanche’s past, including good and bad moments, lost home, and love
The trunk contains clothes, cheap fur, costume jewelry, old love letters, and papers of Belle Reve.
What items does Blanche claim are in her trunk?
Clothes, cheap fur, costume jewelry, old love letters, and papers of Belle Reve
She states that ‘everything I own is in that trunk’.
