stella's diary entry after having her baby

Dear Diary,

I can't believe that I've had a beautiful baby boy. My Stanley is going to be so happy. Having this baby will only bring us closer together, I just know it will! I can't describe the amount of love that I have for him. I've never loved someone so much in my entire life. My heart is all jittery just thinking about him. Oh my I can't believe that I'm crying, how very silly of me.
Blanche! My beautiful sister is going to be so happy for me. After looking at my precious baby he has her eyes, yes he does! Oh my that will make Blanche so happy. But... what if she isn't happy? What if this baby will make her resent me even more for leaving Belle Reve and starting a new life without her. What if she thinks that this baby is the thing that will make me lose ties with Belle Reve? I've had a baby and I'm married whereas Blanche, my poor baby is still broken hearted about that boy. What if she starts to hate me? No... I can't think like that, she's my sister and she loves me and I love her so dearly, of course she won't react like that. How could i think that. My Blanche is an Aunt now, there's no way she won't be happy for me.
I can't wait to see them both, I feel so claustrophobic begin stuck in this tiny little room. It's awful! I know I shouldn't but I can't help but think that they might of had a fight while I was gone. It's silly of me but I know that Stanley gets angry easily and when he's angry nobody can control him but me, he's got an awful temper. What if Blanche lashes out on him. She doesn't understand how much I love him. She thinks that he's "controlling me". What if she finally calls him out on it? I know that she's just trying to protect me, of course, she's my big sister! But she just doesn't understand that I can't live without him. He's my everything, my whole entire world. I hope that nothing bad has happened. After the whole issue with the papers they both seem to have settled their differences. I just have to have faith that they both behave themselves. I've only been gone a little while I'm sure everything is just fine...

Scene between 2 and 3:

Mitch: [Nervously] So how long is erm Stella’s sister staying for?

Stanley: What’s it to you? The sooner the better!

Mitch: I was just curious, she sure is pretty, is she seeing anyone?

Stanley: She does spend hours in the bathroom dolling herself up. You stay away from her Mitch, there’s something off about her and I’m going to find out.  

Mitch: My mum wants me to meet someone nice and introduce her to her before you know... it’s too late.

Steve: What do you mean there’s something off? She and Stella seem to get along okay, she must be alright.

Stanley: Don’t compare my Stella to that woman! That woman comes into my house and wonders around the place like she’s staying at a hotel. She lost Belle Reve so now she thinks she can live off her sister. NO! I aint having it.

[Stanley throws his fist onto the table and then drinks a glass of whiskey in one shot]

That perfume that’s stinking up this room isn’t one that belongs to pretty lady but to someone who is hiding something.

[Steve and Mitch look at each other nervously]

Mitch: okay, so let’s play some poker! [Looks around smiling]

Stanley: What do you think we’re doing Mitch!? Shut up and deal the cards.   

Stanley and Blanche- Change in control

Stanley and Blanche both handle situation in different ways; Stanley takes a more physical approach whereas Blanche uses words to convey her feelings and to control the situation. This can be established through the end of Scene 2. Stanley is the dominant speaker at the first when he opens up Blanche’s trunk to look for papers; he uses his strength to get what he wants. Unlike Blanche who is well educated, Stanley has to resort to using his strength in order for him to feel like he is controlling the conversation. However, it could be argued that his way of taking control of the situation could be due to him feeling vulnerable and not being able to get what he wants.

On the other hand, Blanche takes a different approach to the situation. By the end of the scene it seems as though Blanche has the upper hand. When she looks through the papers she does it in a calm manner, slowly reading of names “Ambler & Ambler, Crabtree”. By doing this she is in control as she knows what the names mean, she has had to deal with the solicitors and therefore is more comfortable with the situation. Whereas, Stanley is at lost and needs to ask questions in order to feel aware of the situation. He is constantly mentioning the fact that he is knows many different people so when Blanche tells him to “present them” to his lawyer acquaintance his response is sheepish because he finally has to show some action to all the talk that he does; he is out of his depth.

Topic shift also helps present a clearer understanding of who is control of the scene. When Stanley asks about papers the first thought that comes into Blanche’s head is “first anniversary gift” representing the type of person she is. She is someone who believes in love and romance. Whereas, Stanley’s first thought of papers is “legal papers”, showing that he is someone who is more head strong and aware of money. However, this doesn’t mean he is educated in this area. He repeatedly mentions the fact that he is well acquainted with many different people; this helps him feel more in control. He wants to come across as someone who shouldn’t be taken lightly but also knows his stuff. Blanche is vulnerable when the conversation of her first love comes to discussion. “Everyone has something he won’t let others touch because of their- intimate nature...” When she talks about her first love she loses control of the situation as the topic is hard for her to talk about and she is constantly trying to put on a brave face and feel like she is stronger than she really is.

The topic shift and the manner of which both characters respond to the situation illustrates who is in control of the situation.