A Streetcar Named Desire: Key Quotes Scenes 9-10

Understanding the Scenes

Scene 9 revolves around Blanche DuBois’ deception being revealed, with Mitch accusing her of dishonesty. Her vulnerability is further exposed, showing her delicate mental and emotional state.
In Scene 10, Stanley Kowalski confronts Blanche, resulting in a tense confrontation that signifies Blanche’s collective trauma and her inevitable descent into madness.

Characters

Blanche DuBois: Her continued lies and illusions are confronted by Mitch and Stanley, further revealing her need for external validation and desire to escape the harsh realities of her life.
Stanley Kowalski: Stanley’s confrontation with Blanche signifies his ultimate assertion of power and control, reflecting the oppressive nature of their relationship.
Mitch: His rejection of Blanche due to her deceit signifies the vulnerability of their relationship, and the societal expectations that underpin it.

Themes

Deception and Reality: The confrontation of Blanche’s lies by Mitch and Stanley highlights the theme of deception and the collision of illusion with stark reality.
Power and Control: Stanley’s dominance over Blanche in Scene 10 intensifies, summarising the disturbing power dynamics that exist between them.
Mental Health and Trauma: Blanche’s growing mental instability due to the events of these scenes significantly contributes to this theme in the play.

Important Quotes

“I never met a woman that didn’t know if she was good-looking or not without being told.” - Mitch. This highlights Mitch’s accusation of Blanche’s deception.
“We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning!” - Stanley. This alludes to the inevitable confrontation between him and Blanche, and the power dynamics at play.

Literary Style and Devices

Foreshadowing: Blanche’s fears about her future and her sanity are realised as Stanley confronts her, suggesting her complete mental breakdown was inevitable.
Symbolism: The paper lantern in Scene 9, which conceals the naked truth, represents Blanche’s illusions which are torn apart in these scenes.
Tennessee Williams employs stage directions effectively to add depth to his characters; for instance, Blanche’s reactions to Mitch’s accusations, or Stanley horrifying predation on Blanche.
Irony is evident when Blanche accuses Stanley of being common, only to be assaulted by him later in the play.

This revision guide should help you understand these important scenes better. Remember to weave these points seamlessly into your essay for a well-rounded analysis.