A Streetcar Named Desire: Scene 9

A Streetcar Named Desire: Scene 9

Understanding the Scene

  • Scene 9 of A Streetcar Named Desire presents the confrontation between Blanche DuBois and Mitch, following his discovery of Blanche’s scandalous past.
  • This interaction brings to the fore the themes of Reality vs Illusion, the Desire for Love and Protection, and the Impact of Past Actions.

Key Characters in Scene 9

  • Blanche DuBois: The scene reveals the extent of Blanche’s disconnection from reality. Her desperate attempts to maintain dignified airs, even when exposed, spotlight her regret and shame.
  • Mitch: Displaying a strong contrast to his usual gentleness, Mitch exhibits hostility towards Blanche due to her deceptions. This change reflects his internal struggle between his mother’s values and his attraction towards Blanche.

Analysis of Key Themes in Scene 9

  • Reality vs Illusion: Blanche’s insistence on creating desirable illusions is challenged by Mitch’s demand for candidness.
  • Desire for Love and Protection: Blanche’s craving for tenderness and refuge from her tragic past is echoed in her relationship with Mitch.
  • Impact of Past Actions: Both Blanche’s past actions and her attempts to veil them are crucial to her relationship with Mitch and its subsequent upheaval.

Critical Quotes Analysis from Scene 9

  • “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” - Blanche. This quote encapsulates Blanche’s refusal to face harsh realities, favouring the solace of illusions instead.
  • “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother” - Mitch. This reveals Mitch’s deep-seated values and his sense of betrayal, as Blanche’s past contradicts his ideas of purity and decency.

Noteworthy Literary Devices in Scene 9’s Quotes

  • Hyperbole: Blanche’s statement, ‘I want magic’, exemplifies hyperbole, amplifying her escapism.
  • Foreshadowing: Mitch’s harsh remark prefigures the tragic culmination of Blanche’s fate.
  • Symbolism: The ‘unclean’ description of Blanche symbolises the stain of her scandalous past and the societal notion of purity.

Incorporating this analysis into your study of the play can support your understanding and interpretation, helping you construct detailed and focused discussions.