1. Scene 5
Stanley hints to Blanche that he knows her true character and her past in Laurel
Blanche is highly anxious and blames it on her nervousness about her date with Mitch
At the end of the scene she kisses a young man who’s come to ask for a subscription to a local paper.
Foreshadowing; avoidance and secrecy; connections to the past; power, seduction
Subtext of Stanley’s dialogue..

2. Quote from Scene 5
‘-soft people have got to shimmer and glow-they’ve got to put on soft colours, the colours of butterfly wings, and put a - paper lantern over the light..it isn’t enough to be soft. You’ve got to be soft and attractive. And I – I’m fading now! I don’t know how much longer I can turn the trick.’ (Blanche to Stella, Scene 5, page 92) Analyse this quote in terms of Crit.B

3. Now you…
In your groups, choose a quote from Scene 6 and Scene 7, one from each scene, that you think e.g.
is significant
shows something about the character, or a theme, or motif, or symbol..
(think Criteria B )
Once you’ve chosen, let me know and type it in the Word doc so we can all see it in a few mins.
Be prepared to show, explain and justify your choice of quote in a few minutes to everyone else.

4. Scene 6 2am – after Blanche and Mitch’s date
She tells him (and us) about falling in love at 16..marrying..and then ‘finding out’ (suggestion that her husband was gay)..she’d told him ‘you disgust me’ and soon after, he shot himself.
Polka music here fading in and out (her and her husband dancing)
Music – a reminder to the audience
Blanche’s choices (of men) have always been wrong..
She continues to lie (look at stage directions) juxtaposed with moments of truth

5. Scene 7
mid-September (remember the play began in May), Blanche’s birthday
While Blanche is bathing, Stanley tells Stella about the facts he’s discovered about Blanche
He also tells Stella that he’s told Mitch about Blanche’s past too, and that Stanley’s bought Blanche a bus ticket leaving next week
Another turning point..how?

6. Music
Paper Moon polka - the Varsouviana

7. Blanche, Stella, Stanley (are in this scene)
How is the setting (look at Williams’ stage directions at the beginning of the scene too) symbolic/significant/telling?
Why do you think Stanley acts the way he does here (particularly on page 131)? What does it show/emphasise/highlight…etc?
How do we see Stanley’s contempt towards Blanche in this scene? (Think of words and actions)
Consider Williams’ choice at the end of the scene in terms of plot (making Stella urge Stanley to take her to the hospital)..what it adds/brings to the scene and the characters
Blanche, Stella, Stanley (are in this scene)