The appearances of minor characters on stage contribute significantly to the atmosphere of the play. The curtain opens on a casual conversation between Eunice and the Negro Woman. This opening immediately establishes that the setting, New Orleans, “is a cosmopolitan city where there is a relatively warm and easy intermingling of races in the old part of town.” Pablo, being a Spaniard, emphasises the culturally diverse nature of their neighbourhood. Steve and Pablo’s participations in the poker games add to the raw, ‘ape-like nature’ of Elysian Fields which Blanche detests so much. Her desire

Eunice is the most ‘major’ among the minor characters. She is a helpful and somewhat ‘nosy’ neighbour. Her comment to Stella about the rape of Blanche illustrates how she, whose instincts are generally tender, has come to terms with the unspeakable vulgarity around her: “Don't ever believe it. Life has got to go on. No matter what happens, you've got to keep on going.” Eunice argues that male companionship is a woman's means of survival in society. She believes that Stella must work fiercely to maintain her relationship with Stanley. It is unlikely that these women believe nothing of Blanche's story, given the brutality they receive from their husbands. However, acknowledging its truth would require them to acknowledge their husbands' brutality, and it would interfere with their survival. Eunice reinforces the idea that in the lower class of working people portrayed in the play, it is a man's world.

The poker games could not happen without the participation of Steve and Pablo. The playwright attaches special meanings to the poker games. At the first poker night, Stanley is not only losing the game, but his ‘possessions’ over Mitch and Stella is also being seriously threatened as a result of Blanche. At the second game, the tables have turned and Stanley is winning, both of poker and over Blanche. The poker is a symbol for the game of life, and Stanley is the triumphant victor. Steve and Pablo are “as course and direct and powerful as the primary colours”, which strongly contrasts the pure white colour of Blanche, and this intensifies the incompatibility of the two worlds. Despite both men being at the “peak of their physical manhood”, when they try to pinion Stanley, “he nearly throws them off”. Stanley’s masculinity, virility and boisterous nature, is thus vividly depicted. Steve’s closing remark, “This game is a seven card stud,” indicates that Stanley's victory is comple

Some topics in this essay:
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