Stanley - scene 2

Question 1

‘let me enlighten you on a point or two, baby’

Answer 1

• imperative (let me) - establishes gender roles and Stella’s expected subservience towards Stanley
• infantilises Stella - power struggle and gender roles of Stella and Stanley
• establishes how in N.O, the working class man has more power than a previous member of aristocracy - subversion of gender roles
• physical power

Question 2

‘Where are your fox-pieces, Stella? Bushy snow-white ones, no less! Where are your white-fox pieces?’

‘Where are your pearls and gold bracelets?’

Answer 2

• symbols of upperclass - wealth and refinement
• suggests mockery from Stanley, questioning the differences between Stella and Blanche - in order to further the accusations of Blanche selling Belle Reve
• suggests forced guilty from Stella on the behalf of Blanche
• anaphora / parallel phrasing - intensifies accusations & foreshadows tensions between Blanche and Stella
• colour imagery - suggests Blanche’s dishonest façade of innocence

Question 3

‘And what we have here? The treasure chest of a pirate!’

‘Pearls! Ropes of them! What is this sister of yours, a deep-sea diver who brings up sunken treasures?’

Answer 3

• suggests fantasy and reality - idea of fictionalised pirates fantasising treasure, children’s stories (infantilises Stella and Blanche)
• allusion to wealth and expenses that Blanche has carried with her from the decay of the old south
• accusations suggests mischief and manipulation from Stanley as well as subtle jealously - foreshadows Stanley’s eventual psychological takedown of Blanche

Question 4

‘The Kowalskis and DuBois have different notions’

Answer 4

• incorrect grammar highlights working class background and idiolect adopted
• explicitly demonstrates clashing values of Old and New South
• European connotations of both surnames represents the diversity of New Orleans

Question 5

‘Since when do you give me orders?’

Answer 5

• reasserting male dominance
• traditional gender roles
• tone of anger - violent and primitive nature through his voice as well as actions

Question 6

‘If I didn’t know that you was my wife’s sister I’d get ideas about you!’

Answer 6

• foreshadows tragic downfall of Blanche through the manipulation of Stanley
• poignant image - said directly to Blanche after rummaging through trunk - suggests flirtation and appreciation to Blanche whilst Stanley acts to manipulate her