How does Williams create a sense of tension and drama for the audience in this extract? (scene 4 monologue) (30 marks)

In scene 4, Williams build a sense of tension and drama for the audience, through Blanche's monologue about Stanley. Along with the inflammatory content of Blanche's speech, tension is also heightened by the sense of dramatic irony imparted upon the audience. The fact that we can hear what is being said, as well as knowing that Stanley can, unbeknownst to Blanche & Stella, hear her too. This makes the audience nervous in anticipation of how Stanley will react to being spoken about in this way. Since we know he is a particularly unstable and inflammatory character, we know that the end result could be bad for Blanche, a premonition that does come true at the end of the play.

In her monologue, Blanche constantly makes reference to animalistic imagery when referring to Stanley, a portrait of the character that Williams often uses. Blanche is by no means implicit in her reference to Stanley in the manner. She even opens her tirade with the phrase: "He acts like an animal, has an animal's habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one!" From this already offensive statement, she degrades him even further: "There's even something-sub-human-something not quite to the stage of humanity yet!" going on to say: "like one of those pictures I've seen in - anthropological studies!" These words, while harsh, paint a somewhat accurate view of Stanley, one which the audience are likely to sympathise with. The vivid images which Blanche uses really do cause the audience to view Stanley in a new light, and almost sympathise with her plight. Although it may have the adverse effect of causing the audience to grow to dislike Blanche, as some members of the audience may see her comments as over the top, or downright slanderous. However, as aforementioned, all of these thoughts and feelings are overshadowed by the anticipation of Stanley's reaction, with only the audience actually knowing he is there.


The sense of drama is heightened further by the content of Blanche's speech. At one point she even references the very first scene of play, where Stanley is introduced and when he throws the bloody meat package at Stella. "Bearing the raw meat home from the kill in the jungle!" This is interesting, considering the fact that Blanche was not cited as being there to witness the event, yet offers a sense of connection to the members of the audience astute enough to notice. Blanche goes on to refer to the events of the night before, where Stanley hit Stella in his drunken stupor. "Maybe he'll strike you or maybe grunt and kiss you! That is, if kisses have been discovered yet!". The fact that she refers to the events of the previous night without hesitation shows a lack of empathy towards those most affected by the situation, choosing instead to continue her self-righteous tirade, without regard for anyone else.