Scene 3 - the poker night

Question 1

‘over the yellow linoleum of the kitchen table hangs an electric bulb with a vivid green glass lampshade’

‘wear coloured shirts, solid blues, a purple, a red-and-white check and a light green’

Answer 1

• saturated colour palette is a world away from Blanche’s tragic defining white and delicate beauty

Question 2

‘vivid slices of watermelon’

Answer 2

• conveys coarseness and vulgarity
• traditionally southern food associated with hot summers and relaxation - contrasts gritty nature of New Orleans

Question 3

‘little card party’
‘this party of apes’

Answer 3

• before the party Blanche infantilises the men taking part - unaware of danger, violence, raw masculine dominance
• the morning after witnessing violence she recasts it as an index of Stanley’s ‘alpha male’ need to dominate Mitch, Pablo and Steve at the card table just as he does when captaining the bowling team - constant dominance

Question 4

‘nothing belongs on a poker table but cards, chips and whisky’

Answer 4

• seriousness of poker despite just being a game
• constant inclusion of alcohol which fuels violence and aggressive behaviour

Question 5

‘Stanley stalks fiercely through the portieres into the bedroom. He crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table’

Answer 5

• predatory animalistic imagery - looking for his victim (Stella)
• violent verbs - aggressive behaviour fuelled by alcohol

Question 6

‘Drunk - drunk - animal thing, you!’

Answer 6

• zoomorphism - removes Stanley’s human qualities through acting in the same way as an animal would
• male alcoholism -motif
• dehumanising language - Stella’s fluctuating attitude towards violence

Question 7

‘he throws back his head like a baying hound’
‘with a heaven splitting voice’

Answer 7

• predatory even in a moment of weakness
• zoomorphism
• physical intimidation