1. Scene iii – a pivotal scene Initially the play was to be called “The Poker Party.” What are some of the connotations with a ‘poker party’? Who is expected to be at these? How are they expected to behave? L/O: to read and explore scene iii

2. Masculinity vs Feminity Walk around the room in an exaggerated masculine way. When you come upon another ‘chap’, greet them in an exaggerated way. Walk around the room in an exaggerated masculine way. When you come upon another ‘chap’, greet them in an exaggerated way. Walk around the room in an exaggerated feminine way. When you come upon another ‘lady’, greet them in an exaggerated way. Walk around the room in an exaggerated feminine way. When you come upon another ‘lady’, greet them in an exaggerated way. What are the differences? What were you trying to convey in your walks? Now divide into 2 groups, 1 feminine and 1 masculine. Walk around the room and when you meet the same sex, greet them as you were; when you meet the opposite sex, speak to them as you would expect to according to your sex. Now divide into 2 groups, 1 feminine and 1 masculine. Walk around the room and when you meet the same sex, greet them as you were; when you meet the opposite sex, speak to them as you would expect to according to your sex. What has changed in the exchanges? Now look at scene 3 – note the way in which the characters interact with each other.

3. Examining scene iii 1. Compare Mitch to Stanley (actions, language) – what do they have in common, what makes them different? 2. What is revealed about Stella and Stanley’s marriage in this scene? Look back at scenes 1 and 2 – how would you define their relationship? 3. Look at Blanche’s character – find examples of contradictions (the genteel Southern lady who expects men to stand up when she comes in and who cannot bear a rude remark or vulgar action VS the cheap seductress) HW: write a monologue spoken by Blanche, Stella or Stanley about the evening’s events – this could be to Eunice or to a police officer. Remember to also write a commentary explaining your choices and how they reflect Williams’ style and fits into the tragic genre (which should be x 2 longer than the monologue) OR Write an essay response to this scene (and scene ii) examining the way in which Stanley fits into the role of protagonist according to Arthur Millar’s view of tragedy.

4. “The Poker Night” cements Stanley’s identity as the villain cements Stanley’s identity as the villain highlights the primal nature of Stanley and Stella’s relationship highlights the primal nature of Stanley and Stella’s relationship illustrates Stanley’s domination over his friends as he makes all the decisions about the game illustrates Stanley’s domination over his friends as he makes all the decisions about the game illustrates his friends devotion as they look after him tenderly when he is drunk illustrates his friends devotion as they look after him tenderly when he is drunk is when Stella first chooses Stanley over Blanche. This foreshadows events later in the play. Stella has already decided whose side she is on is when Stella first chooses Stanley over Blanche. This foreshadows events later in the play. Stella has already decided whose side she is on

5. Characterisation: Blanche Her vanity makes her lie about Stella’s age Her vanity makes her lie about Stella’s age Her inability to deal with reality makes her claim that she has come to help out because Stella has not been well Her inability to deal with reality makes her claim that she has come to help out because Stella has not been well Yet, none of her lies are malicious. She tells lies in order to protect herself from reality and the tragedies she has to endure Yet, none of her lies are malicious. She tells lies in order to protect herself from reality and the tragedies she has to endure Her seductive posturing half undressed in the gap in the curtains appears instinctive when men are around. This highlights the contradictions in her character: the genteel Southern lady who expects men to stand up when she comes in and who cannot bear a rude remark or vulgar action VS the cheap seductress Her seductive posturing half undressed in the gap in the curtains appears instinctive when men are around. This highlights the contradictions in her character: the genteel Southern lady who expects men to stand up when she comes in and who cannot bear a rude remark or vulgar action VS the cheap seductress Blanche’s purchase of the Chinese lantern to put over the light bulb is again symbolic of her inability to face reality. Both literally and metaphorically light threatens to reveal Blanche’s lies Blanche’s purchase of the Chinese lantern to put over the light bulb is again symbolic of her inability to face reality. Both literally and metaphorically light threatens to reveal Blanche’s lies Blanche’s determination to take Stella away from Stanley is not forgiven or forgotten by Stanley and makes him all the more determined to be rid of his unwanted visitor Blanche’s determination to take Stella away from Stanley is not forgiven or forgotten by Stanley and makes him all the more determined to be rid of his unwanted visitor

6. Characterisation: Stanley Stanley’s loud and domineering behaviour during the poker game as well as his loud shirts emphasise his manliness Stanley’s loud and domineering behaviour during the poker game as well as his loud shirts emphasise his manliness Stanley throwing down the watermelon emphasises his disregard both for the house and for Stella. It foreshadows the radio incident and hints at his capacity for violence Stanley throwing down the watermelon emphasises his disregard both for the house and for Stella. It foreshadows the radio incident and hints at his capacity for violence Stanley’s drinking symbolises destructive behaviour as he commits domestic violence Stanley’s drinking symbolises destructive behaviour as he commits domestic violence His shower symbolises his attempts to wash away his sins i.e. hitting Stella His shower symbolises his attempts to wash away his sins i.e. hitting Stella

7. Stanley and Stella Stella and Stanley’s reunion conveys the extent of their desire for each other. Stella’s desire for Stanley is so great that she is prepared to forgive him anything Stella and Stanley’s reunion conveys the extent of their desire for each other. Stella’s desire for Stanley is so great that she is prepared to forgive him anything Their “animal-like” moans when they embrace on the front steps illustrates their animal-like passion for each other Their “animal-like” moans when they embrace on the front steps illustrates their animal-like passion for each other There is a sense of King Kong in Stanley picking up Stella and carrying her away. This reminds us of his primitive/ape-like qualities There is a sense of King Kong in Stanley picking up Stella and carrying her away. This reminds us of his primitive/ape-like qualities Stella choosing Stanley foreshadows the outcome of the play. She has decided whose side she is on Stella choosing Stanley foreshadows the outcome of the play. She has decided whose side she is on

8. Blanche and Mitch Mitch is the complete opposite of Stanley. He is kind, understanding, sympathetic and shy Mitch is the complete opposite of Stanley. He is kind, understanding, sympathetic and shy Blanche’s conversation with Mitch at the end of the scene emphasises the class differences between them and highlights the efforts he is making to overcome them Blanche’s conversation with Mitch at the end of the scene emphasises the class differences between them and highlights the efforts he is making to overcome them The description of their dancing symbolises that ultimately they are ill-suited to each other – “Mitch dances clumsily, mimicking Blanche’s grand movements” The description of their dancing symbolises that ultimately they are ill-suited to each other – “Mitch dances clumsily, mimicking Blanche’s grand movements”

9. Stagecraft The harsh, jarring discordant piano sounds highlight the harshness of what is happening on stage – Stanley’s violence The harsh, jarring discordant piano sounds highlight the harshness of what is happening on stage – Stanley’s violence