Scene 7

• Scene Summary and Analysis

  It’s the afternoon of Blanche’sbirthday. Blanche isbathingwhile Stella is decorating. Stanley comes in and mocks Blanche’s incessant bathing. Stella explains to him that they were raised differently, which Stanley dismisses as he asks Stella to sit down as he has news about Blanche.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Blanche appears to be at peace, singing childishly in happiness in the bathroom. Williams usesdramatic irony, as in the other room, Stanley is divulging to Stella the morose details of Blanche’s life and exile from Laurel. There is a juxtaposition of the atmosphere here, Blanche sings “It’s only a paper-moon”, which is aromantic song, while Stanley reveals her worst secrets.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stanley's information comes from Shaw, a man who travels to Laurel often, and Stanley believes that everything he has heard is the truth. In particular, he recounts Blanche’s relationship with a young boy, along with her deeds at the Flamingo Hotel, where she was asked to leave due to an array of relationships.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stanley makes it very clear that Blanche moved to Elysian Fields because she has lost her job, respect, reputation and life. She has nothing left,which translates to his victory over her alleged superior status, rendering it empty and hypocritical.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stella isupsetby this and tells Stanley not to believe the rumours. However, he insists that they are true because he has multiple sources.Stella’s disbelief about rumours foreshadows her disbelief about the rape later. Stella, like Blanche, is also one to hide from the truth.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stella tells him about Blanche as an innocent girl who was broken by her marriage to a“degenerate”, insinuating that she deserves some sympathy.The contempt society held for the queer is evident by the term “degenrate”.Stanely just drops the more sordid news saying that they shouldn't expect Mitch to redeem her because Mitch is his“best friend”.Stanley has told him everything he knows.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stanley drops the last bomb, by stating that he has Blanche’s“birthday present”,which is a ticket to Laurel. Stanley’s actions are proven to be selfish by this gesture, despite his claim that he is told Mitch to protect him.His present is meant to tauntBlanche. His hatred for her and misogyny is escalating in this scene as he very plainly shows his enjoyment in causing her pain.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  The scene ends with Stanley slamming the door to the bathroom, whileBlanche claims to be cool and rested.Blanche’s bathing is a motif, a symbol of her need to “cleanse” herself from her past. She emerges feeling like a “brand newhuman”.She notices Stella is upset, but Stella claims that she is fine.
• Key Quotes


  Stella: I think Blanche didn’t just love him but worshipped the ground he walked on! Adored him and though him almost too fine to be human! But then she found out . . . This beautiful and talented young man was a degenerate.

  Stella provides context for Blanche’s past. While we have heard Blanche's side of the story, we see here that Stella believes that Blanche did not just love Allan Grey but“worshipped”him, which tells the audience that Blanche could have beenobsessedwith Allan. This may have beenunhealthy,which contributed to her meltdown after his death.

  The word “degenerate” portrays theoutlookof 1940’s America on homosexuality, something that does not fit into normalised ideas of sexuality.
• Key Quotes


  Blanche: Yes, I do, so refreshed. [She tinkles her highball glass.] A hot bath and a long, cold drink always give me a new outlook on life!

  Blanche’s need to bathe for a“new outlook”shows its functionality as acleansing ritual.
• Key Quotes


  STANLEY: That girl calls me common!

  Stanley’shatefor Blanche is based on this attitude she has towards him.
• Key Quotes


  [BLANCHE is singing in the bathroom a saccharine popular ballad which is used contrapuntually with STANLEY’S speech]....

  Blanche’s singing is present as the truth is revealed. It is ironic on many levels.Dramatic ironyis used to show that she is unaware of her past being made common knowledge. Furthermore,situational ironyis used because she sings of love under illusions, while her illusion has now been shattered.- Below is an example of howWilliamsuses speech and songcontrapuntallyto create irony and meaning.
• Key Quotes


  STELLA: I said, Is Mitch through with her?[Blanche's voice is lifted again, serenely as a bell. She sings "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me."]STANLEY: No, I don't think he's necessarily through with her--just wised up!

  Dramaticironyisusedtoincreasethetensionhere.WhileBlanchesingsaboutillusionand love, the audience realises that Mitch is no longer under her spell.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  It’s the afternoon of Blanche’sbirthday. Blanche isbathingwhile Stella is decorating. Stanley comes in and mocks Blanche’s incessant bathing. Stella explains to him that they were raised differently, which Stanley dismisses as he asks Stella to sit down as he has news about Blanche.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Blanche appears to be at peace, singing childishly in happiness in the bathroom. Williams usesdramatic irony, as in the other room, Stanley is divulging to Stella the morose details of Blanche’s life and exile from Laurel. There is a juxtaposition of the atmosphere here, Blanche sings “It’s only a paper-moon”, which is aromantic song, while Stanley reveals her worst secrets.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stanley's information comes from Shaw, a man who travels to Laurel often, and Stanley believes that everything he has heard is the truth. In particular, he recounts Blanche’s relationship with a young boy, along with her deeds at the Flamingo Hotel, where she was asked to leave due to an array of relationships.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stanley makes it very clear that Blanche moved to Elysian Fields because she has lost her job, respect, reputation and life. She has nothing left,which translates to his victory over her alleged superior status, rendering it empty and hypocritical.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stella isupsetby this and tells Stanley not to believe the rumours. However, he insists that they are true because he has multiple sources.Stella’s disbelief about rumours foreshadows her disbelief about the rape later. Stella, like Blanche, is also one to hide from the truth.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stella tells him about Blanche as an innocent girl who was broken by her marriage to a“degenerate”, insinuating that she deserves some sympathy.The contempt society held for the queer is evident by the term “degenrate”.Stanely just drops the more sordid news saying that they shouldn't expect Mitch to redeem her because Mitch is his“best friend”.Stanley has told him everything he knows.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stanley drops the last bomb, by stating that he has Blanche’s“birthday present”,which is a ticket to Laurel. Stanley’s actions are proven to be selfish by this gesture, despite his claim that he is told Mitch to protect him.His present is meant to tauntBlanche. His hatred for her and misogyny is escalating in this scene as he very plainly shows his enjoyment in causing her pain.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  The scene ends with Stanley slamming the door to the bathroom, whileBlanche claims to be cool and rested.Blanche’s bathing is a motif, a symbol of her need to “cleanse” herself from her past. She emerges feeling like a “brand newhuman”.She notices Stella is upset, but Stella claims that she is fine.
• Key Quotes


  Stella: I think Blanche didn’t just love him but worshipped the ground he walked on! Adored him and though him almost too fine to be human! But then she found out . . . This beautiful and talented young man was a degenerate.

  Stella provides context for Blanche’s past. While we have heard Blanche's side of the story, we see here that Stella believes that Blanche did not just love Allan Grey but“worshipped”him, which tells the audience that Blanche could have beenobsessedwith Allan. This may have beenunhealthy,which contributed to her meltdown after his death.

  The word “degenerate” portrays theoutlookof 1940’s America on homosexuality, something that does not fit into normalised ideas of sexuality.
• Key Quotes


  Blanche: Yes, I do, so refreshed. [She tinkles her highball glass.] A hot bath and a long, cold drink always give me a new outlook on life!

  Blanche’s need to bathe for a“new outlook”shows its functionality as acleansing ritual.
• Key Quotes


  STANLEY: That girl calls me common!

  Stanley’shatefor Blanche is based on this attitude she has towards him.
• Key Quotes


  [BLANCHE is singing in the bathroom a saccharine popular ballad which is used contrapuntually with STANLEY’S speech]....

  Blanche’s singing is present as the truth is revealed. It is ironic on many levels.Dramatic ironyis used to show that she is unaware of her past being made common knowledge. Furthermore,situational ironyis used because she sings of love under illusions, while her illusion has now been shattered.- Below is an example of howWilliamsuses speech and songcontrapuntallyto create irony and meaning.
• Key Quotes


  STELLA: I said, Is Mitch through with her?[Blanche's voice is lifted again, serenely as a bell. She sings "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me."]STANLEY: No, I don't think he's necessarily through with her--just wised up!

  Dramaticironyisusedtoincreasethetensionhere.WhileBlanchesingsaboutillusionand love, the audience realises that Mitch is no longer under her spell.