2.9.1

Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

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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

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

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 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

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

  • 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

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

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

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

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.
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Overview

1.1

The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams
1.2

Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context1.2.2Social Issues1.2.3Setting
1.3

Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy
2

Scene Summaries

2.1

Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas
2.2

Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two
2.3

Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.4

Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four
2.5

Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.6

Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary
2.7

Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.8

Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight
2.9

Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.10

Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.11

Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley
3.2

Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
3.3

Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others
4

Key Ideas

4.1

Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender
4.2

Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances4.2.2Fantasy & Reality4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design5.1.2Linking Devices5.1.3Recurring Motifs
5.2

Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre5.2.2Form & Language5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Critical Debates

6.1

Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews
6.2

Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach6.2.3Marxist Approach6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates
7

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language
8

Recap: Main Quotes

8.1

Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

Practice questions on Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

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  1. 1
    Where does Blanche claim she stayed in Scene Nine?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What does Blanche scream when Mitch tries to assault her?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What do we NOT learn in Scene Nine?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Events of Scene Nine:Put in order
  5. 5
    What is there a contrast between in Scene Nine?Fill in the list
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End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas