Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 2.4.1
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.
Test yourself on Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
Where does Blanche claim she stayed in Scene Nine?
What does Blanche scream when Mitch tries to assault her?
What do we NOT learn in Scene Nine?
What is there a contrast between in Scene Nine?
What does Mitch try to do to Blanche in Scene Nine to make the audience feel less sympathetic towards him?