Analysis of Scene Three- The Poker Night:

There are many hidden messages that can be distinguished through the actions of individuals in this scene. Symbolism is also a reoccurring theme which helps understand more about the characters pasts. This scene is a real turning point in Stanley and Blanche’s relationship. Although a real conversation doesn’t take place between the two of them, the presence of the radio is used to distinguish who is in control.     

Tennessee Williams has titled this scene as the “Poker night”; the meaning behind his choice may differ. The obvious connotation is that poker is a game of bluffing which correlates directly with Blanche’s behaviour. She has a hidden past which she is trying to forget, however Stanley is determined to discover the truth. The idea of playing poker maybe perceived in that it is a game between Stanley and Blanche and the secrets that are kept. The change in the person who is on control of the situation helps establish who is winning their “game”.  A device that is used to help make this clear is the use of the radio. Blanche puts the radio on which annoys Stanley who demands she switches it off. Blanche continues to play the music even when Stanley has switched it off helps the reader as well as Stanley to understand more about her character. She is clearly someone who is stronger than she is perceived and will stand up for herself when she needs to. She has learnt to keep her expressions cool in front of Stanley for example when Stanley comes in to switch off the radio and he is staring at her she returns his look without flinching. She is able to hide any fear showing that she is capable of bluffing. Her continuing to play the radio suggests that she is willing to play this game with Stanley and she is not intimidated by him.

Stanley is use to being in control with both his wife and his friends. This is seen through his interactions with his friends during their game of poker: “deal” and “shut up” are only a few of the imperatives used by Stanley. He is someone who likes to be in control and therefore is taken aback by Blanche’s response to him. He retaliates in the only way he knows he has the upper hand in: his strength. Stanley ends up throwing the radio out of the window and lashes out on Stella. By throwing the radio out of the window is the only way Stanley feels that he is able to beat Blanche in this game. However, when Stanley attacks Stella Blanche steps up and protects her sister from Stanley. She is clearly someone who is very courageous and is willing to stand up to Stanley.

Another interpretation of why a game of poker is being played is that poker is a game about money and greed. This sort of behaviour is comparable to the type of person Stanley is. In scene two Stanley has discovered that Belle Reve has been lost and wants to get to the bottom of what Blanche is hiding. He is so desperate to find out the truth that during scene two he goes through her suitcase to find any information that he can find. The idea of bluffing occurs in this scene when Stanley tells Blanche “I have a lawyer acquaintance who will study these out”. Once again he wants to feel in control of the situation. The poker night helps to solidify what type of character he is. Stanley is someone who is greedy for money and control, so desperate that he is capable of lying in order to get what he wants.    

The scene also has many repercussions in the relationships between different characters. Stanley’s behaviour towards Stella presents just how madly in love they are with each other. Even though Stanley was violent towards Stella, she is able to forgive him because she is so deeply in love with him. This scene also mirrors that of scene one where Stanley throws a bag of meat at Stella. In scene one, Stanley is showing is assertiveness but in the case of scene three he is begging for forgiveness. This may be a representation of their relationship; a give and take relationship in which they both are able to accept each other because of their deep affections for one another. Although, Blanche is Stella’s sister her response to Stanley suggests that in any situation she is going to take Stanley’s side. This is an indication of what is to happen later on in the play when Stella’s relationship between both Stanley and Blanche is tested.

Scene three also presents the relationship between Blanche and Mitch. There is mutual attraction between both of them and it would seem from the audience’s point of view that someone like Mitch would be very compatible with Blanche who is so broken and needs someone like Mitch who will treat her properly. They both share similar pasts as they have both lost loves ones in the past “the girl’s dead now” which is another indication that they are well matched. However, the use of words used by Williams suggests that this relationship is not destined to be, the scene ends with Blanche saying: “I need kindness now”. These words are used at the end of the play when Blanche is sent away with a doctor. Blanche using these words with Mitch shows that their relationship is one that will not have a happy ending.