Scene 2
Summary
The sisters are preparing for an evening out with Stanley clearly feeling marginalised. Stanley becomes angry about the loss of Belle Reve, feeling he has been swindled by Blanche. He feels that Louisiana law dictates that a wife’s possession automatically belongs to the husband and he has been robbed. His ignorance is highlighted by his false assumptions about Blanche’s furs and jewels and his anger increases as his wife mocks him. When Blanche appears from the bathroom she is overtly flirtatious with Stanley and because of this provocative behaviour Stanley’s suspicions are aroused. Blanche learns that Stella is pregnant.
Williams’ Purposes
- To create motive and means for destruction of Stella
- To continue to polarise characters of Stanley and Blanche with Stella as the link
- To increase tension and hostility between these characters
- To reveal Stanley’s suspicions of Blanche’s background
- To highlight differences in class and background between Stanley and the sisters and to show Stanley’s awareness of this
- To reveal how ignorant Blanche is regarding the effect her behaviour has on people
Commentary
- A scene of two parts- Stella’s instructions to Stanley about how to treat her highly- strung sister and his suspicions of being financially cheated, then the appearance of Blanche.
- Napoleonic code- code...
