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Character Dynamics in Two Plays

1) Nancy and Bridget are having a heated argument about Bridget staying with Nancy. Bridget does not want to stay and resents Nancy for leaving her father. 2) They are having this argument in Nancy's home. 3) It is revealed that Nancy left Bridget and her father in the past to be with someone else named Jay, which Bridget has not forgiven. 4) Bridget expresses deep anger and resentment towards Nancy, but Nancy wants Bridget to stay and understand her perspective. It is unclear if Bridget will reconcile with Nancy.

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456 views5 pages

Character Dynamics in Two Plays

1) Nancy and Bridget are having a heated argument about Bridget staying with Nancy. Bridget does not want to stay and resents Nancy for leaving her father. 2) They are having this argument in Nancy's home. 3) It is revealed that Nancy left Bridget and her father in the past to be with someone else named Jay, which Bridget has not forgiven. 4) Bridget expresses deep anger and resentment towards Nancy, but Nancy wants Bridget to stay and understand her perspective. It is unclear if Bridget will reconcile with Nancy.

Uploaded by

Wanda Nurul
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Wanda Nurul Wahida

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Exercise 11

A Streetcar Named Desire

Act 1, Scene 4

BLANCHE. And that-that makes it all right?

STELLA. (Rises) No, it isn't all right for anybody to make such a terrible row, but-people do
sometimes. (Leans over chair by dressing-table.) Stanley's always smashed things. Why,
on our wedding night-soon as we came in here-he snatched off one of my slippers and
rushed about the place smashing the light-bulbs with it.

BLANCHE. He did-what?

STELLA. (Arranging dressing-table chair to face mirror, as she sits in it.) He smashed all the
light-bulbs with the heel of my slipper! (Laughs.)

BLANCHE. (Crossing to above dressing-table.) And you-you let him-you didn't run, you
didn't scream?

STELLA. I was sort of-thrilled by it. (Rises, moves stool below armchair into place, then
moves to L. of doorway.) Eunice and you had breakfast?

BLANCHE. (In front of dressing-table.) Do you suppose I wanted any breakfast?

STELLA. There's some coffee left on the stove. (Crosses U.)

BLANCHE. (Below dressing-table.) You're so-matter of fact about it, Stella.

STELLA. (Below radio table, holding up some loose wires.) What other can I be? He's taken
the radio to get it fixed. (Gurgles pleasantly.) It didn't land on the pavement, so only one
tube was smashed.

BLANCHE. And you are standing there smiling!


STELLA. (Puts wires back on radio table.) What do you want me to do? (Moves screen to
head of bed-folds and stacks it there.)

BLANCHE. (Sits on bed.) Pull yourself together and face the facts.

STELLA. (Sits beside Blanche on bed-at Blanche's I.) What are they, in your opinion?

BLANCHE. In my opinion? You're married to a madman.

STELLA. No!

BLANCHE. Yes, you are, your fix is worse than mine is! Only you're not being sensible about
it. I'm going to do something. Get hold of myself and make a new life!

STELLA. Yes?

BLANCHE. But you've given in. And that isn't right, you're not old! You can get out,

STELLA. (Slowly and emphatically.) I'm not in anything I want to get out of.

BLANCHE. (Incredulously.) What-Stella?

STELLA. (Rises. Crosses below to door between rooms.) I said I am not in anything I have a
desire to get out of. (Surveys mess in living-room.) Look at the in this room!

1) What are the relationship among the three characters?


 Blanche and Stella is a friends.
2) Where are they?
 It looks like it’s in a house.
3) What happened before this passage?
 It seemed like there had been an argument between Stella in her husband.
4) Which character do you think express the author’s point of view?
 I think Blanche.
5) What do you think will happen after this in the story?
 I think Stella and her husband should reconcile soon or maybe they should be
separate soon.
Exercise 12

A Roomfull of Roses

NANCY: I'm sorry-Bridget. (Reaching toward her in an impulsive gesture of affection)


Darling, do want you to stay. More than anything in the world, I want you to stay. We
all want you won't you think about it? Just during the next few days, think about it.
Hard.

BRIDGET: No! It's utterly impossible!

NANCY: Are you so happy at home?

BRIDGET: Why do you ask me that?

NANCY: I want you to be happy somewhere. If not with me, then somewhere else.

BRIDGET: You don't have to worry about that. I am happy. Terribly.

NANCY: And you like your school?

BRIDGET: I love it. The only thing I don't likeI don't like this conversation. And if it's all
right with you, I'li dress for dinner now.

NANCY: Oh, baby-you don't have to be so lonely.

BRIDGET: Listen! Don't say a thing like that to me. Don't you dare to be sorry for me!

NANCY: Bridget!

BRIDGET: Don't you dare! You have no right! (She starts up the stairs.)

NANCY: Bridie! You come back here. Don't ever speak to me in that tone again. I don't care
what you think I have done to you, you are never to speak to me in that way again. Do
you understand?

BRIDGET: Yes.

NANCY: All right. Now come over here and sit down.

BRIDGET: I have nothing to say.


NANCY: But I have something to say. I've been walting a long time to say it, so I hope...I
want you to understand, that no matter how you feel toward me, you are a deep and
important part of my life. I love you very much.

BRIDGET: Is that all?

NANCY: No. No, it isn't. There is something else. I knew-you would feel resentful and
hurt...But I didn't dream it would be like this. I've tried in every way I know to reach
you. I've stayed awake nights trying to think of a way-some way-of reaching you...

BRIDGET: Of breaking me down, you mean.

NANCY: Yes, if you want to put it that way. Bridie, you're a little girl still. In many ways a
very little girl. But soon-you will be a young woman. (Bridget starts to rise.) Now wait!
It's for your own sake I'm saying this. It's for you. Bridie, don't let the fact that there was
something very bad in your life once be the most important thing about you. Don't
blame everyone you meet for something that happened a long time ago.

BRIDGET: May I go to my room now?

NANCY: Do you really hate me so much?

BRIDGET: No, I don't hate you. I don't feel anything about you at all. Just blankness. And I
want to keep it that way.

BRIDGET: Bridie, it wasn't all my fault-what happened wasn't all my fault! I've never told
you this before, but your father was-Oh, dear.

BRIDGET: I don't care whose fault it was! You were the one who ran away!

NANCY: Not from you! I wanted you with me. I tried-you know I tried- didn't run away
from you.

BRIDGET: You ran away from Dad and me. Why? Because you liked Jay better?

NANCY: No-things aren't that simple.

BRIDGET: Then why?


NANCY: Bridie, listen-there are things you won't understand until you are older, but try-try
to understand this-the love I have for Jay is love your father did not want from me, And
it has nothing whatever to do with the love I feel for you.

BRIDGET: You're too late, Mother. I don't care anymore. That's funny. I cal you Mother. But
it's only because I don't know what else to call you. To me you aren't my mother. As far
as l'm concerned, my mother is dead. And I used to wish you had died. Oh, how I
wished...l'd lie awake in bed at night and pretend that you had died. Sometimes it
seemed so real-and l'd cry... All right, now you know what I really feel about you. Do
you still want me to stay?

NANCY: More than ever.

BRIDGET: You're crazy!... (She turns and runs up the stairs.)

1) What is the relathionship between these two characters?


 The relationship between mother and child.
2) Where are they?
 I think they are in the house.
3) What can you tell about the past?
 In short, it is a quarrel between mother and son.
4) What do you think will happen after this in the story?
 Looks like Bridget’s anger won’t be put out so easily. The misunderstanding
between them was quite complicated.

Common questions

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Stella's position reflects a passive acceptance and rationalization of her marital circumstances as passionate, showing emotional investment despite adversity. In contrast, Bridget's attitude is marked by emotional withdrawal and defensiveness, representing a proactive resistance to reconciling past trauma. This contrast highlights differing coping mechanisms; Stella's acceptance versus Bridget's rejection, showcasing diverse developmental arcs in facing personal relationships .

Nancy's attempts to reconcile with Bridget reflect themes of misunderstanding and reconciliation by highlighting the deep emotional rift caused by past actions. Nancy's acknowledgment of past mistakes and her effort to bridge the emotional gap demonstrate her desire to heal the relationship. However, Bridget's persistent anger and rejection of Nancy's explanations show the complexity and challenge of overcoming past hurts, indicating a profound misunderstanding that hampers reconciliation .

The theme of escape is explored through Stella's implicit acceptance of Stanley's violence as a thrill and normalcy, suggesting escape as an emotional retreat into excitement. Conversely, Bridget's desire to keep interactions with Nancy at a 'blankness' level highlights escape as emotional distance and detachment from unresolved issues. These scenarios demonstrate varied approaches to mental and emotional escape when faced with relational distress .

Bridget’s emotional maturity appears limited, as demonstrated by her harsh rejection of Nancy's overtures and insistence on maintaining emotional distance. Her refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue, coupled with her historical anger, suggests a lack of readiness to process complex emotions or forgive past grievances, reflecting a need for emotional growth .

Stella perceives excitement in the danger associated with Stanley's aggressive behavior, as she admits to being 'thrilled' by his actions of smashing light-bulbs on their wedding night. This indicates a complex psyche that equates violence with passion, suggesting her choice to stay with Stanley despite the dysfunction in their relationship .

Stella's emotional resilience is demonstrated by her calm demeanor and acceptance of Stanley's actions. Her laughter and matter-of-fact responses to Blanche's criticisms show a resilience that stems from adaptation rather than confrontation. This could be interpreted as either emotional strength or denial, as she expresses no desire to leave the situation despite its volatility .

The conversation underscores generational misunderstanding by revealing Bridget's perception of Nancy's actions as betrayal, while Nancy seeks to convey love and understanding. Nancy's attempts to rationalize her choices and express emotional needs are misinterpreted by Bridget as insincerity, highlighting the gap between their emotional perceptions and leading to conflict rather than resolution .

Blanche's suggestion for Stella to 'pull yourself together and face the facts' reflects a worldview that values rationality and acknowledgment of reality over emotional surrender. It indicates Blanche's belief in the importance of facing challenges head-on and making conscious efforts to improve one's life circumstances rather than accepting a distressing situation passively .

Blanche perceives Stella's relationship with Stanley as troubling and unhealthy. She refers to Stanley as a "madman" and criticizes Stella for not being sensible about the situation, implying that Stella's acceptance of Stanley's destructive behavior is unreasonable .

Nancy and Bridget's interaction is charged with unresolved resentment and emotional estrangement. Bridget feels neglected and blank towards Nancy, accusing her of abandonment, while Nancy tries to express her love and reach out to Bridget. The emotional dynamics are influenced by past grievances, leading to a tension-filled dialogue where Nancy is apologetic yet firm, and Bridget is defensive and dismissive .

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