Stella

Question 1

Scene 2

Answer 1

“When she comes in be sure to say something nice about her appearance…and admire her dress and tell her she’s looking wonderful. That’s important to Blanche!”

Question 2

Scene 2 Analysis [4]

Answer 2

• reveals Stella’s gentle personality and the way she tries to comfort Blanche
• it shows how much she knows her and her anxieties
• highlights Blanche’s need to appear a certain way and be complimented for her looks, showing how her appearance is important to her
• shows Stella’s maternal and motherly nature

Question 3

Scene 4

Answer 3

“But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark—that sort of make everything else seem unimportant.”

Question 4

Scene 4 Analysis [5]

Answer 4

• Stella prioritises physical desire and passion over Blanche’s moral concerns about Stanley
• shows her dependence on sexual intimacy as a way to maintain the marriage
• highlights the theme of desire overpowering rationality and morality
• reveals Stella’s passivity and willingness to ignore Stanley’s violence
• reinforces the theme of gender roles and submission

Question 5

Scene 1 - wild

Answer 5

“When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild!”

Question 6

Scene 1 wild Analysis [4]

Answer 6

• reveals Stella’s intense physical dependency on Stanley
• highlights the theme of desire controlling relationships
• reflects her emotional vulnerability and the unhealthy, imbalanced dynamic in her marriage
• emphasises Stella’s acceptance of traditional gender roles

Question 7

Scene 1 - holler

Answer 7

“Don’t holler at me like that.”

Question 8

Scene 1 holler Analysis [5]

Answer 8

• sign of Stella’s attempts to assert herself
• she quickly subverts herself which shows the limited resistance to Stanley’s dominance
• Stanley’s authority overshadows Stella’s slight moments of resistance.
• links to male power and aggression themes
• shows Stella’s struggle between self-respect and submission, which is a recurring pattern in her relationship.