![]() ![]() Additionally, use of plastic theatre in the form of the Varsouviana – which only the audience and Blanche can hear – emulates this further as they are invited to resonate and connect with Blanche’s emotions alone at this moment. Williams creates empathy for his protagonist in this way. Williams’ own sympathy for the destruction of the Deep South and its gentility means that this act was decidedly cruel – he wanted us as an audience to see Blanche’s horrified and sickening response to feel pity rather than believing that she deserves that pain. By controlling this scenario and twisting Blanche’s emotions around, Stanley is able to cause further emotional damage. It is evident that these are not Stanley’s aims, and that he feels only antipathy for Blanche and all that she stands for (the gentility of the Deep South and the faded culture it has become). Not only is he symbolically sending her back to her troubled past, but he also chooses to set the moment up as though it would be a gift – something that would illustrate kindness and generosity. When it is revealed to be a ticket back to Laurel, Blanche’s response reflects that of the audience, as we are horrified at the deceptive action. He wields dominance in this moment as he teases her with the ticket, as though it were a gift – saying “I hope you like it!”. When he gives her the ticket back to Laurel in Scene 9, the audience sees how cruel Stanley can be. But his dominance over Stella is not the most important in the piece – since he is responsible for Blanche’s downfall it is necessary to consider his actions towards her. The audience is reminded of this libido in the very final image – of Stanley “ the opening of her blouse”, and hence the reason that Stella chooses to ignore her sister’s “story” of the devastating rape that crushes Blanche and leaves Stanley superior. Stella, for example, inevitably chooses to stay with him over Blanche at the end of the play because of the sexual dominance he has over her. ![]() His dominance over the people in his life is undeniably powerful and used cruelly. This could be a reason for us to label him as a ‘villain’. From the instance that we meet Stanley, it is apparent that he is a dominant force – the “richly feathered male bird” – and he is able to use this authority to cause Blanche extensive pain. ![]()
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