Blanche’s singing in scene 7 is juxtaposed to Stanley’s accusations of Blanche’s scandalous past. Every time Stanley reveals another one of Blanche’s secrets, which Stella assumes is a lie, Blanche ironically sings: “it wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me”. Slowly the truth about Blanche is revealed; throughout the whole play Blanche has been hiding the truth while Stanley has been trying to discover the truth. Scene seven is able to bring together this idea through Stanley throwing accusations about Blanche while Blanche sings innocently. Stanley’s claims are based on hearsay and seem unreliable but ironically the fact that his claims are echoed by Blanche’s singing makes his statements seem more truthful. Dramatic effect is another way in which the singing is used in the scene. Stanley’s calm way of stating his claim, while still maintain control of the situation in contrast to Blanche’s singing presents the differences in their characters. Stanley is a serious person who doesn’t like people playing games with him. This idea is presented earlier in the play, in scene two Blanche tries to get Stanley to compliment her, he replies “some men are took in by this Hollywood glamour stuff and some men are not”. Stanley is the type of person who doesn’t like to joke around, this is the polar opposite to Blanche’s character. She is a spontaneous person who loves to live in the moment; this too is established earlier in the play. When Mitch and Blanche come on their date during scene six and Mitch requests a kiss Blanche says: “why do you always ask me if you may?”. Blanche likes the idea of spontaneity in her life whereas Stanley is more straightforward about what he wants. The reason for Blanche’s singing to counterpoint with Stanley’s speech could be inferred in other ways. The song could be used as dramatic irony; none of the characters understand the deeper meaning behind the song that is sung by Blanche. She is living her life through lies and is able to make almost everyone in the play believe bar Stanley. Stella is someone who wants to trust and believe in her big sister as much as Blanche wants to be believed in. This is highlighted through Blanche singing “without your love”. This line in her song is clearly meant for Stella as Blanche is vying for Stella’s support and wants her to be her defence against Stanley’s accusations.
There are a number of reasons why Stanley wants to expose Blanche as a fraud. Stanley is visibly a controlling person and Blanche’s arrival is a threat to him. She is more intelligent than him and is able to stand up to him which he is not use to as he is the person who is in control of his relationship and the way he is treated by his friends. He wants things to be back to the way that they use to be before Blanche arrived. Blanche’s behaviour with other characters is altering their relationship with Stanley. Blanche is able to make Stella tougher this is seen during the poker night when Stella stands up to Stanley by saying: “drunk- drunk- animal thing you!” Blanche’s presence and her open hostility with Stanley causes Stella to be stronger and more independent. Her presence has also interrupted their sexual life and their privacy. Scene four is the morning after Stanley and Stella have sex, this comes after Stanley lashes out on Stella. Their reconciliation of having sex shows that his anger was fuelled by a lack of sex.
Scene seven is also able to develop Blanche and Stella’s relationship. Stella’s initial response to Stanley is to defend her sister. Stella comes to her sister’s defence by suggesting the cause of Blanche’s behaviour is due to her past relationship with Allan. After Allan’s sudden death Blanche was left fragile and had lost a lot of self esteem. However, Stella does acknowledge that Blanche is “flighty”, she knows that Blanche is promiscuous and that she may be running away from her past. Stella is openly torn by whom to believe. She obviously wants to stand by her sister but knows that the evidence is too much.
