Blanche And Stanley Analysis

To what extent do the natures of Blanche and Stanley in the opening scene hint at tensions to come in the play?

From the offset of the play, Williams has created a clear juxtaposition between the characters of Stanley and Blanche’s nature. Immediately Stanley is introduced as the alpha male, by throwing “Meat!” at Stella he is portrayed as being both animalistic and brutish. Whereas, Blanche is seen to be innocent and delicate; as at the beginning she is shocked and somewhat scared by the new harsh surroundings of New Orleans “Blanche wearily refers to the slip of paper” in having such a response to Stella’s home it is suggested that she is out of her comfort zone, which in its self can cause tension; but when compared to the contrast between

However, it would appear that Blanche puts on a pretence when around others as nothing ever seems genuine “What am I saying? I didn't mean to say that. I meant to be nice about it”. We are constantly changing our opinions of her as we learn more and more half truths about her, therefore we soon become unsure of her intentions and stop seeing her as innocent but rather multifaceted. Blanche’s avoidance of answering any questions, particularly about the plantation (Belle Reve) display how unstable she is emotionally; this is when it would seem that her performance of being a Southern Belle is cut short and the audience begin to see how duplicitous she is in nature, this hints at tensions that may come later on in the

Relationships were male dominated and to suit Stanley seeks control within the relationship between himself and Stella, Blanche threatens this. Upon meeting her Stanley bombards Blanche with questions “How long you here for, Blanche?”, perhaps this is paired with stichomythia is an authorial method used by Williams to show quickly Blanche becomes overwhelmed; highlighting her emotional instability and rising tension. Stanley although brutish and animalistic does not seem to be wrong in the way he initially treats Blanche, she has come into his home, insulted him and tried to take away Stella’s loyalties that lie with him. These loyalties that Stanley has can almost be seen as a mark of societal success, as an audience it is not until later we realise his treatment of Blanche is persecutory. Due to such large difference in their social background it would be very difficult for Stanley and Blanche to compromise with one another; hence why Stanley continuously tries to belittle and put down Blanche, and by the end of the play its Stanley’s cruel nature that lead to Blanche’s decent into insanity, but it is this treatment within the opening scene that causes tension to rise, foreshadowing Blanche’s