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ASND Scene 4

Scene 4 of the play delves into themes of sex and female sexuality, highlighting the complex dynamics between Blanche, Stella, and Stanley. Blanche's attraction to Stanley and her fear of it contrasts with Stella's acceptance of his aggression, revealing layers of delusion in both characters. The scene also emphasizes the symbolic significance of desire as it relates to their relationships and conflicts.

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18 views

ASND Scene 4

Scene 4 of the play delves into themes of sex and female sexuality, highlighting the complex dynamics between Blanche, Stella, and Stanley. Blanche's attraction to Stanley and her fear of it contrasts with Stella's acceptance of his aggression, revealing layers of delusion in both characters. The scene also emphasizes the symbolic significance of desire as it relates to their relationships and conflicts.

Uploaded by

james.guttieres
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Scene 4: We will discuss this in class - use it as food for thought for now.

1.
This scene gets to the heart of the play: it’s all about sex. And in this play sex
is going to cause trouble. Blanche’s admission that Stanley is a man ‘to go
out with – once – twice – three times when the devil is in you’ and her wild
monologue on his bestial nature ring alarm bells: her attraction to Stanley
and her fear of that attraction is obvious. It feels very dangerous.

2.
This scene in which the two women talk about desire and lust foregrounds
the play’s exploration of female sexuality. And it’s a complex exploration:
Blanche’s self-presentation as the young demure southern belle, her use of
her looks and sexuality to exert power, her hysterical response to Stanley’s
attack on Stella and her admission of the power of ‘brutal desire’ are set
against Stella’s ‘narcotised’ acceptance of masculine aggression, her thrilling
in Stanley’s violence, her open pleasure in her own sexuality and her
impending ‘maternity’.

3.
Only present at the very end and never seen by the two women, Stanley
nonetheless dominates this scene. Critics have argued that the play is driven
by Stanley and Blanche’s rivalry for the loyalty and love of Stella. But this
scene suggests that any conflict will be between the two sisters for Stanley.

4.
This scene is more about delusion than sex or passion. In comparison to
Blanche, Stella appears calm, reasonable, pragmatic – Blanche comments
she is ‘matter of fact’ while Stella highlights Blanche’s excitability. Stella
presents herself as clear-sighted while by Scene 4 the audience is aware of
Blanche’s tendency to self-delusion (her drinking, her age, her presentation
of herself as a young girl). Yet in this scene Stella shows herself just as
deluded – as implied by Williams’ stage direction ‘narcotised’.

5.
The scene draws the audience’s attention to the play’s use of symbolism: the
streetcar named Desire which literally brought Blanche to the flat is given
symbolic meaning by Stella and Blanche. Blanche describes Stanley as
‘Bearing the raw meat home’ – a metaphor which recalls his throwing the
meat at Stella in Scene 1.

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