Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

Scene Nine: Summary

At the start of the scene, Blanche is at home alone. She is dressed in a satin robe and is drinking. She is obviously waiting to hear news from the hospital about the baby.

Blanche's drinking

When Mitch arrives, she hides the alcohol and they begin to discuss their relationship.
Blanche offers him a drink, but Mitch does not want to touch any of Stanley’s alcohol, implying that she is freeloading off him.

Symbolism

The scene is full of symbolism.
For example, Mitch says: "I don’t think I have ever seen you in the light". This means that he has not seen the truth about Blanche before. Mitch explains that he has been a fool about her.

Mitch confronts Blanche

Mitch then confronts Blanche about the stories that Stanley has told him. At first, she denies everything – saying that she stayed at the Hotel Tarantula - but eventually confesses that the stories are true.
Mitch also deals with the issue of Blanche’s age. She is much older than he thought, but again, her exact age is not revealed.

Funeral flowers

Whilst this takes place, the audience hears the voice of a Mexican woman selling gaudy flowers for use at funerals and other festive occasions.
This is symbolic. This is, in effect, Blanche’s own funeral and any festival (e.g. marriage) will be denied. The woman’s tone is mournful.

Blanche pleads for forgiveness

Blanche pleads for forgiveness, but an angry and humiliated Mitch says she is "not clean enough to bring into the house with my mother".

Mitch runs away

Moments later, Blanche offers him the chance to marry her, but he tries to assault her instead.
In response, Blanche screams "fire", and he runs away in fright.
Blanche is left staggering for she knows she has messed up and missed an opportunity.

Scene Nine: Tragedy Genre

Here are some key ideas that relate to the idea of tragedy:

Contrast: Stella and Blanche

A contrast is presented here between the expected delivery of Stella’s baby and Blanche’s demeanour. Her behaviour shows descent into a tragic state.

Emotions towards Mitch

In this scene, the audience feels several emotions toward Mitch.
- At first, they are sympathetic because they know how he has been duped.
- However, when he moves to assault Blanche they are less sympathetic. You could argue here that Mitch is a tragic victim and that his life will never quite be the same again through his encounter with Blanche.

Mexican flower seller

The symbolic presence of the Mexican flower seller shows that Blanche’s fate is sealed. Marriage is now no longer possible, and it seems that her fate is now either death itself or something worse.
In the end, Williams opts for the latter.

1Context & Overview

1.1The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams

1.2Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context

1.2.2Social Issues

1.2.3Setting

1.3Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre

1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy

1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy

2Scene Summaries

2.1Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary

2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.2Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.3Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.5Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.6Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary

2.7Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.9Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.10Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven

3Character Profiles

3.1Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions

3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown

3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley

3.2Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski

3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.3Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others

4Key Ideas

4.1Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire

4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender

4.2Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances

4.2.2Fantasy & Reality

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

5Writing Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design

5.1.2Linking Devices

5.1.3Recurring Motifs

5.2Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre

5.2.2Form & Language

5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6Critical Debates

6.1Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity

6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews

6.2Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach

6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach

6.2.3Marxist Approach

6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates

7Ideas About Tragedy

7.1Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain

7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language

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