Exam (elaborations)
A Streetcar Named Desire - Blanche and Stella relationship essay
- Module
- A Streetcar Named Desire
- Institution
- OCR
A Streetcar Named Desire - Blanche and Stella relationship essay
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Blanche’s secrets, as well as Stella’s, create a distinct tension between the sisters whichbecomes prominent in Scene 1 and remains a fundamental flaw in the sister’s relationship.
As a method of concealing her lies, Blanche constructs a facade, protecting herself from the
harshness of reality. As an introduction to Blanche, Williams repeatedly uses the adverb
“nervously” when describing how she moves and “laughs.” The repetition could insinuate that
Blanche is struggling to maintain this facade, as if she is worried about it failing. The nervous
demeanor of Blanche creates a tension between the sisters, making the “laugh[]” seem almost
false. This tension is only increased by the fact that the laugh comes after Blanche talks about
her looks “slipping,” one of her insecurities. This placement of stage direction could arguably
make the audience feel uncomfortable as Blanche just “laughs” about something that will later
trouble her in the play. This nervousness results in Blanche looking to Stella for “reassurance,”
perhaps gaging whether her facade is fooling Stella. Stella similarly plays a role as she
reassures Blanche “[dutifully].” Stella knows what to say to Blanche to please her and easily
slips into her duty when Blanche arrives.
Blanche’s own insecurity around her appearance doesn’t prevent her from scrutinising Stella’s.
When commenting on how Stella had gained weight and how it was “so becoming,” Blanche
exclaims, “Yes, it is, it is or I wouldn’t say it!” This line interrupts Stella and shows that Blanche
doesn't want to be accused of lying by Stella, maintaining her facade. This outburst about how
she only tells the truth is similar to how Blanche portrays herself to Stanley. When talking about
how Belle Reve was “lost,” Blanche says, “Well, life is too full of evasions and ambiguities, I
think.” To further inspect Stella’s appearance Blanche demands that Stella stand up, and when
she refuses, Blanche rhetorically asks, “You hear me?” This question seems patronising and the
force at which it is delivered, depending on the production, usually increases the tension
between the sisters further. Often, when Blanche is telling the truth she speaks in long
monologues with fewer exclamatives. However, the short, rhetorical questions and exclamatives
show that perhaps Blanche is forcing this facade, not wanting to verbally let slip any of her past
or problems. The question also shows Stella being treated like a child by Blanche who, perhaps
through her class, age or understanding of the world due to her claiming to know what desire
looks like, feels superior.
One of Blanche’s flaws that lead to her tragic downfall at the end of the play is her loss of
control as the play develops. In a pause in a conversation between the sisters, “Blanche stares
at her. She smiles at Blanche.].” The verb “stares” makes it seem like Blanche is inspecting her
sister, trying to maintain control through working out what Stella is thinking about. As a way of
reassuring Blanche, Stella “smiles” in return, showing that Stella has some control due to her
being Blanche’s last pillar before she comes crashing down. When the sisters first embrace in
Scene 1, Blanche is said to have “feared for either of them to stop and think.” This hysteric hug
completely contrasts with “stares” as if Blanche knows that there is unresolved tension between
the sisters and wishes to hide this, even for a second, so she can seem delighted to see her
sister. Similar to Blanche’s inspection of Stella’s thoughts, Stella “laughs but her glance at
Blanche is a little anxious].” Stella is worried about Blanche yet she doesn’t enquire about what
is making Blanche act the way she is. The unspoken looks at each other increase the tension of
the scene as it is obvious that both sisters are concealing secrets.
When Stella defends herself about her quietness and that it is a “habit,” Blanche “vaguely”
comments, “A good habit to get into…” This line could be portrayed as an aside that only
Blanche and the audience hear. The fact that Stella is “quiet,” in theory, should please Blanche
as she can then control the conversation more easily. Stella’s “habit” would also please Blanche
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