kind of my outline.

INTRODUCTION

Question:           

How does Tennessee Williams use stage directions (the non-verbal instructions that accompany the play's spoken aspects) to develop the characters Stanley and Blanche?

Thesis:

Tennessee Williams uses the stage directions in the play as a way to give background information on the protagonist Blanche and Stanley’s sexual & drinking habits.

Characteristics

1.       Blanche

·         Loquacious (excessive talking)

·         fragile woman

·         Sexual - her sexual desires come out when she drinks.

·         Liar

·         Cautious and has anxiety

·         A drunk

                                I.                      Blanche: “takes a  few uncertain steps towards bedroom, looks in. turns back, spies open door of kitchen cabinet, crosses to it, removes a whiskey bottle and glass, comes to above table and pours herself stiff drink”(Williams, pg.9)

                              II.                      Blanche: “I know you must have some liquor on the place. Where can it be, I wonder? (Turns upstage.)  Oh, I spy! I spy! (Crosses to kitchen cabinet. Blanche takes bottle and glass from it. They nearly slip from her grasp. She is shaking, panting for breath, and tries to laugh. Stella moves to L. of Blanche, takes bottle.”(Williams, pg.10)

2.       Stanley

·         Aggressive – becomes this when he drinks.

·         Sexual

·         Passionate

·         A drunk

                                I.                      Stanley: “(bringing liquor bottle and glass to table.) In laurel, huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah, laurel that’s right. Not in my territory. (Holds up bottle to observe its depletion.) Liquor goes fast in hot weather. Have a shot? (Pours a drink.)” (Williams, pg.18)

                              II.                      Stage direction: “empty beer bottles are strung about, and a couple of liquor bottles, half empty, are in evidence.”(Williams, pg.30)

COMPARE

1.       Blanche & Stanley

·         Drunks

·         Sexual

CONTRAST

1.        Blanche

·         Loose

·         Flirtatious – makes her feel wanted

                                                        I.            “(Crosses to him. Touching his shoulders.)”  (Williams, pg.59)

                                                      II.            “(Touches his cheek lightly, and smiles. Then goes to trunk.)”  (Williams, pg.59)

2.       Stanley

·         Aggressive

                                                         I.            “(Stanley hears rumpus in living-room, and charges in. Steve stops him. Pushes Steve aside.)”

·         Argues

                                                       II.            “(In bedroom, Stanley has stopped below Mitch to tell him. That’s the last time you’ll play the radio during my poker game!”)