Streetcar+-+group+summaries

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Symbols and Images Scenes 1 - 4
Pg 21: “ They stare….forehead”. Here the “blue piano” grows louder, expressing the build up and tension of the current mood. || Pg 29 || Pg 66 “ The “blue piano” plays for a brief internal” emphasizing that Stella is Stanley’s spirit of life. || Pg 84 “ As the lights fade away…heard” The music comes on as Stella embraces Stanley, again emphasizes the importance of Stanley in her life. || Blanche [with faintly hysterical humor]: They told me to take the streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one-called Cemeteries… Significance: The streetcar is Blanche’s transportation to Elysian Fields. It serves as her medium of fate. || || || Blanch: What you are talking about is brutal desire – just – Desire! The name of the rattletrap street-car that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another… [ pg 81] Significance: streetcar, Desire = lust || - She is not in the scene where Stanley questions Stella about Belle Reve creates tension between Stella and Stanley. || -Later Stanley and Blanche talk about Belle Reve. He wants to see papers. Significance: Mitch helps Blanche develop her fantasy world; he is a part of it. || || Significance: Better visualization and sensory images for the readers. p. 5: “There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes, that suggests a moth.” Significance: This figurative description of Blanche gives us an idea of her appearance as well as her personality. p. 25: description of Stanley creates an image of a rather tough, confident, big man. || || || p.70: “morning sunlight,” narcotized tranquillity,” etc. Significance: these descriptions create an image of a serene, calm morning. A big contract from the previous scene, in which it was dark and violence took place. || Light: And turn that light over off! Turn that light off! I won’t be seen in this merciless glare! (Pg 11) Daylight never exposed so total a ruin! (Pg14) Light is represented to expose something that someone is trying to hide. Blanche avoids light to prevent people from seeing the reality of her fading beauty. Appearance: About you hair – you ought to have it cut in a feather bob with your dainty features. (Pg 15) You know I haven’t put on one ounce in ten years, Stella? I weigh what I weighed the summer you left Belle Reve. ( pg 15) Appearance, perhaps outer beauty is important to Blanche. || Animalistic description of stanely You’re simple, straightforward and honest, a little bit on the primitive side I should think. ( 39)
 * Symbols || Scene 1 || Scene 2 || Scene 3 || Scene 4 ||
 * Blues piano || It is stated that the “ blue piano” expresses the spirit of the life that goes on here in the stage directions.
 * Varsouviana Polka || || || || ||
 * The streetcar ||
 * Blanche’s baths || ||   || -Is bathing at the beginning of the scene(p29) “to quiet her nerves”.
 * Paper lantern || || || p. 60: Blanche asks Mitch to put on the paper lantern on the light bulb.
 * Imagery in stage directions || p. 3: Williams has used very poetic language to describe the stage, e.g. “You can almost feel the warm breath of the brown river.”
 * Imagery in Blanche’s language ||

Perfume: I guess he’s just not the type that goes for jasmine perfumer, but maybe he’s what we need to mix with our blood now that we’ve lost Belle Reve. ( 45) The perfume seem to represent a class higher than Stanley’s, showing the clear difference in social status between Blanche and Stanley. || Baths: I think I will bathe. - Blanche needs constant revival.

Spring It means woods and Blanche means white, so the two together means white woods. Like an orchard in spring!

And in the spring, it ‘s touching to notice them making their first discovery of love! (62)

Blanche often uses the imagery of spring to represent idealistic idea of love.

Color paper lantern: I brought this adorable little colored paper lantern at a Chinese shop at Bourbon. Put it over the light bulb! - Blanche uses pretty objects to hide the truth and from reality. || Animalistic imagery of Stanley: What such a man has to offer is animal force and he gave a wonderful exhibition of that!(79)

There’s something downright – bestial- about him! (82)

He acts like an animal, has an animal’s habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one!...ape-like about him!....and there he is – Stanley Kowalski- survivor of the stone age! Bearing the raw meat from the kill in the jungle! ( 83) || Shows his attitude towards women -“you going to shack up here”(p27) All show Stanley’s crass language especially in comparison to Blanche and Stella ||  || || -“what’s all this monkey doings”(p29) -“The treasure chest fo a pirate”(34) -“Pearls, ropes of them…..bracelets”(34) -“A crown for an express”(35) -“Looks like you raided….Paris(37) --Expressing his doubts in Blanche’s sincerity and character drawing parallels between her, a pirate, robber and an empress. -“Lay… her cards on the table”(39) || --Stanley’s needs/wants from a women. --word for a dummy. Value of a woman’s breast to Stanley. -“You hens….there”(54) --Views women as animals. -“this game is spit in the ocean”(56) -“people get ants when they win”(56) -“My baby doll’s left me!...”(65) || --value of Stella a possession
 * Imagery in Stanley’s language || || -“where’s the little woman”(p25)
 * -“Hurry….sugar-tit”(48)

Symbols and Images Scenes 5 - 8
“ In ensuing pause, the “ blue piano” is heard” symbolizes Blanche’s yearn for physical satisfaction, a desire that is part of the spirit of life. || || || || Pg 115 “ Mitch gets up awkwardly…her” The polka music is played whenever she thinks back or talks about her late husband. || || Pg 136
 * Symbols || Scene 5 || Scene 6 || Scene 7 || Scene 8 ||
 * Blues piano || Pg 99
 * Varsouviana Polka || ||

Plays whenever Blanche is upset. || Street- Car
 * The streetcar || ||

Blanche [laughing grimly]: Is that street-car named desire still grinding along the truck at this hour? Significance: Blanche mentions the street car when she was alone with Mitch, it probably signifies her desire for Mitch. || || || -Stanley mocks Blanche’s habit(117) -Bathing while Stanley tells Stella about Blanche’s promiscuous behaviour. -Blanche occupies the bathroom for so long Stanley demands she exits(page 126) --“oh, Blanche! Can I please get into my bathroom?” --“having waited an hour I guess one second ought to pass in a hurry.” || --“hey canary bird, Toots! Get OUT of the BATHROOM”(127) || || “Goddamn, it’s hot in here with the steam from the bathroom.”(134) Significance: She reveals the reasons for her disguises and lies—she thinks she must put on such disguises to be accepted by the rest of the society. || || || || Astrological signs: I bet you were born under Aries. Aries people are forceful and dynamic. ( 88)
 * Blanche’s baths || --- || --- || || -In the bathroom at the beginning of the scene
 * --Steam from Blanches bath, angers Stanley. Makes the room uncomfortable ||
 * Paper lantern || p. 92: Blanche says “soft people…[have got to] put a—paper lantern over the light…”
 * Imagery in stage directions || || || || ||
 * Imagery in Blanche’s language ||

Soft glow: When people are soft – soft people have got to shimmer and glow- they’ve got to put on soft colors, the colors of butterfly wings, and put on a – paper lantern over the light…. You’ve got to be soft and attractive. And I – I’m fading now! ( 92) || Fantasy: We are going to pretend that we are sitting in a little artists’ café on the left Bank in Paris! ( 104)

Samson! Go on, life me. (107) Blanche likes magic and have idealistic ideas about romance and love. Light: Its like you suddenly turned a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me. (114)

He was in the quicksand and clutching at me- but I wasn’t holding out to him, I was slipping with him! (114) Blanche describes her struggles in her youth as quicksand, a problem impossible for her to solve. || Bath: Oh, I feel so good after my long, hot bath, I feel so good and cool and- rested! ( 128) - Needs constant revival. || Candles: Oh, I hope candles are going to glow in his life and I hope that his eyes are going to be like candles, like two blue candles lighted in a white cake! (133-134) || -“…cats out of the bag”(118) --referring to Blanche’s secrets ..:canary bird”(119) “…But sister Blanche is no lily!…”(119) “…lily whit fingers…”(120) || -“…she pulled the wool over your eyes..”(120) - refers to Blanche’s ritual dating as an act(121) --“washed up like poison…” --her deceptive, deceitful, and promiscuous ways. Page 122 -Refers to Blanche’s ordeal: - “squirming out of that one” -“had her on the hook” -“…but he’s not going to jump into a tank with a school of sharks..” || --describing the dangers of Mitch dating Blanche --Referring to Blanche and Stella in response to their superior behaviour.. --Poker reference -“…and get the coloured lights going”(133) --Reference to Stan and Stella’s sex/love || -“Delicate piece she || is”(136) --Referring to Blanche after he gives her the ticket back to Laurel. -“I pulled you down off those columns…”(137) --Referring to -“…having them coloured lights going”(137) --their sex/love
 * Imagery in Stanley’s language || --- || --- || || “Her majesty…”(118)-acknowledges the class difference
 * || || -“…a pair of queens…”(131)

Symbols and Images scenes 9 - 11
Pg 179 “The luxurious sobbing… trumpet” The sensual blue is played at the very end to signify that this is the reality of life. || Pg 139 “ The rapid, favorish polka tune…song.” It plays whenever she is upset of whenever she tries to escape from an unpleasant thought or moment. Pg 141 “ The “ Varsouviana”! The polka tune they were playing when Allan- wait!” Here she thinks back on her late husband again. She associates it with death and unhappiness. || || Pg 166
 * Symbols || Scene 9 || Scene 10 || Scene 11 ||
 * Blues piano || || ||
 * Varsouviana Polka ||

The Varsouviana is played as Blanche is reminded of the night Stanley raped her, along with the underlying tension that creates suspense for the audience that something unpleasant is going to happen. || --getting ready to go on her “big trip” || Significance: Mitch has found out the truth about Blanche, and refuses to fall for her lies. He wants her to stop the pretenses. || p. 158: When Stanley and Blanche are home alone, Stanley finally reveals to Blanche that he knows everything about her lies. Significance: Stanley’s mocking Blanche’s attempts to disguise herself. He is her “executioner;” he destroys Blanche and her fantasy world. || || Darkness I like it dark. The dark is comforting to me. (143) Blanche feels safe in the dark where her flaws can be hidden, does not want to face reality.
 * The streetcar || || || ||
 * Blanche’s baths || --- || --- || || -Bathing at the beginning of the scene ||
 * Paper lantern || p. 144: Mitch confronts Blanche and tears the paper lantern off the light bulb.
 * Imagery in stage directions || || || [Diana: I wasn't so sure if the stage directions describing the stage / the lighting were supposed to be included in this part...] ||
 * Imagery in Blanche’s language ||

Realism/ Magic I don’t want realism, I want magic! ... I misrepresent things to them. I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be truth. And if this is sinful, then let me be damned for it! – Don’t turn the light on! (145)

Yes, a big spider! That’s where I brought my victims. Yes, I had many intimacies with strangers. ……Hunting for protection- here and there, in the most- unlikely places… (146)

I thanked God for you, because you seemed to be gentle – a cleft in the rock of the world that I could hide in! (147) Blanche constantly wants to hide away from the world. She describes Mitch as a rock where she could hide from reality. || Telegram I received a telegram from an old admirer of mine. (152) The telegram seems to represent Blanche’s false hope and her inability to face reality. || Yellow silk That cool yellow silk – the boucle. See if it’s crushed. If its not too crushed I’ll wear it and on the lapel that silver and turquoise pin the shape of a seahorse. (165)

Cleanliness: Those cathedral bells- they’re the only clean thing in the Quarter. (170) Revels Blanches obsession with clean objects and “pure” objects.

I shall die of eating unwashed grapes…the unwashed grapes has transported her soul to heaven. And I’ll be buried at sea sewn up in the clean white sack and dropped overbroad- at noon – in the blaze of summer= and into an ocean as blue as my first lover’s eyes! ( 170) || --beer foam -“red letter night…”(155) -Page 158 --images of Blanche’s deception and delusions ||  || -“rat race…”(163) --competition, chaos. ||
 * Imagery in Stanley’s language || --- || || -“rain from heaven”(155)

Blanche's Character Scenes 1 - 4
o E: I think she said you taught school. o B: Yes. o E: And you’re from Mississippi huh? o B: Yes. (9) - Blanche speaks badly of Stella’s new home, they are clearly from an upper-class background o Blanche: “What are you doing in a place like this?” (12) - Blanche explains to Stella how the family’s plantation, Belle Reve was lost o “I stayed and struggled! You came to New Orleans and looked out for yourself! I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together!” (20) || - Stanley find love letters in Blanche’s trunk while looking for documents o “These are love letters, yellowing with antiquity, all from one boy.” (42) o “Now that you’ve touched them, I’ll burn them!” (42) An overreaction, evidence to how much the boy’s death still affects her. - Blanche explains to Stanley how Belle Reve was lost o “Piece by piece our improvident grandfathers and father and uncles and brothers exchanged the land for their epic fornications” o Stanley: “So it was lost on a mortgage?” o Blanche: “That must’ve been what happened” (43) || - Blanche’s first interaction with Mitch t o “We are French by extraction. Our first American ancestors were French Huguenots.” (59) o Mitch: “So you are in the teaching profession?” o Blanche: “Yes. Ah, yes…” (61) Hesitance to divulge information, clearly lying || - Blanche speaks of her old beau Shep Huntleigh, the millionaire o “I went out with him at college and wore his pin for a while.” (75) || Page 6-8: She is dazed, and talks shortly and coldly to Eunice. “What I meant was I’d like to be left alone” (9) Page 10: Talks a lot to herself “I’ve got to keep hold of myself”/Page 11 and after: talks vivaciously (with “feverish vivacity” (10)) and non-stop with Stella Page 10: Drinks alcohol fiercely in contrast to her high-class nature/Page 14: Feigns non-alcoholism, “No, one’s my limit” (14) Page 11: Pretends not to know where the alcohol is, “I know you must have some liquor on the place” Page 11: Tells her sister to talk (but doesn’t let her) – “You haven’t said a //word// to me” __Flaws__ Oppressive/Confrontational -“You’re a fine one to sit there //accusing// me of it!” (21) Stuck in Upper-Class Mindset -“Her expression is one of shocked disbelief” (5) when looking at Stella’s house -“This-can this be-her home?” (6) -“Heterogeneous-types?” ( 17) Unsure of herself “You not glad to see me!” (13) || __Inconsistencies__ -Says she lost the place to Belle Reve (Stanley asks, “Then where’s the money?” (37)) but she has extravagant clothes (“open your eyes to this stuff! You think she got them out of a teacher’s pay?” (33)) -She feigns innocence with Stella but tells Stanley the truth (blunt with him) – “I’ve nothing to hide” (40) -When talking with Stanley, she suddenly switches to madness (crying over Stanley touching her letters) -After Stella appears, she switches back to her light casual appearance – “Will you do that for me, Sweetie?”(40) __Flaws__ Promiscuity/flirtatiousness – “She sprays herself with the atomizer; then playfully sprays him with it” Liar – “I know I fib a good deal.” (41) || __Inconsistencies__ -Acts refined but has sexual tendencies seen through her flirting with Mitch/standing in the light -Stands “in the light” to be seen purposely? -She says “Stella don’t start a row.” (54) when she thinks that Stanley is always in the wrong/unrefined She tells Mitch “I’m not used to such-” (68) behaviour, when before she says she is “very adaptable – to circumstances” (60) -She says, “There’s so much-so much confusion in the world…” (69) when she lies and shows deceit all the time. __Flaws__ Unsure of herself “How do I look?” (49) Stuck in Upper-Class Mindset -“Please don’t get up.” (50) -Authoritative: “I want my sister’s clothes!” (64) Promiscuity/flirtation – “Could I kibitz” (50), asks about Mitch, “is he a wolf?” (52) Artificiality(portrayed through flirting) -“reading with feigned difficulty” (57) || __Inconsistencies__ -She is dependent on money, yet she states she is “indifferent” to money (76) -Wants Mitch, who is common, but condemns Stanley as being common __Flaws__ Critical/opinionated – “You’re married to a madman!” (73), urges her to leave Stanley, condemns Stanley Oppressive/Controlling - “I won’t have you cleaning up for him!” (75) High-class/snobbish -“Is this a Chinese philosophy you’ve-cultivated” (74) -“He’s common” (82) Money-orientated -“money, that’s the way out!” (75) ||
 * || Scene 1 || Scene 2 || Scene 3 || Scene 4 ||
 * Appearance and personality as described in stage directions ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Her past || - Aloof when talking to Eunice, as if has something to hide
 * What we learn about her personality from her dialogue(what she says and how she says it) || * Pages 6-8: Blanche is at first amazed at Stella’s poor living conditions, Immediately giving the audience the impression that she is from a higher society and most likely snobbish.
 * Page 10: Blanche quickly looks for and consumes a drink before Stella arrives. This action clearly portrays the character's alcohol problem to the audience. It is later reinforced when Blanche asks for another drink with Stella.
 * Pages 11-22: Blanche’s first dialogue with her sister serves multiple purposes. Through her description of losing Belle Reve the audience learns the grief she feels for the death of her family members. The interactions she has with Stella are also important to note. Blanche continuously questions about her appearance (page 14), which leads to an understanding of her insecurities. || * Page 36-44: Blanche speaks alone with Stanley. Her playful and possibly flirtatious dialogue shows the second side to her personality, the one which seems to seduce any male that it comes into contact with.
 * Page 42: The way in which Blanche speaks of her lost husband and the letters which he left her show the deep grief which she holds. She says “I hurt him [her husband] the way that you would like to hurt me”, showing the guilt which she felt for her husband. || * Page 49:Blanche continues to fish for compliments by asking about her looks. The audience again sees her insecurities as they did in the first scene, and so the theme is thereby reinforced.
 * Pages 57-62: The flirtatious and possibly seductive way in which Blanche speaks to Mitch shows the audience just how Blanche acts with men. Her characteristic flirtatious nature introduced in scene two is further developed in this scene through this dialogue. Since this is the second man that she has met and second man that she has hit on, the audience begins to become aware of her nature. || * Pages 70-74: Blanche’s speech in the first part of this scene gives her opinion on Stella’s marriage. She doesn’t believe that Stanley has any right to hit her, and that she should get out of the abusive situation.
 * Pages 74- 80: While the idea by Blanche in the first pages of the scene seem logical and reasonable advice, it is juxtaposed by her dialogue in the next pages when she discusses running away and seeking help from Shep Huntleigh. In these lines the audience sees Blanche first retreat into her fantasy world. It gives new insight on the character of Blanche, showing how she avoids reality by stepping into her illusions.
 * Pages 85-85: In the final part of scene four Blanche talks to Stella about Stanley. Here she plainly states that she finds him inferior and animalistic. Through these words the audience sees that her mindset created in “high society” has not changed. ||
 * What other characters think and say about her ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Inconsistencies and flaws || __Inconsistencies__

Blanche's character scenes 5 - 8
o “Well, this somebody name Shaw is under the impression he met you in Laurel, but I figure he must have got you mixed up with some other party because this other party is someone he met at a hotel called the Flamingo.” (89) o Blanche: “The Hotel Flamingo is not the sort of establishment I would dare to be seen in! (89) o “Stella! What have you heard about me? What have people been telling you?” (91) - When she flirts with the young man collecting money, we get the sense that this is not the first time she has made advances on younger men: o “It would be nice to keep you, but I’ve got to be good – and keep my hands off children.” (99) || - Blanche speaks to Mitch about what happened to her previous husband, Allan Grey. We learn that Blanche caught him in bed with a male friend. She later confronted him in the middle of the dance floor, saying he “disgusted her”, which prompted him to run outside and shoot himself. o “It was because – on the dance floor – unable to stop myself – I’d suddenly said – “I saw! I know! You disgust me…” And then the searchlight that had been turned on the world was turned off and never for one moment since then has there been any stronger than this – kitchen – candle.” (115) || - Stanley tells Stella everything he has learned from the supply-man about Blanche’s history in Laurel. We find out that Blanche regularly had “intimacies with strangers” at The Flamingo, for which she was notorious. Stanley also claims Blanche lost her job teaching due to a sex scandal involving a 17 year old boy o “The Flamingo is used to all kings of goings-on. But even the management of the Flamingo was impressed by Dame Blanche! In fact they were so impressed that they requested her to turn in her room-key – for permanently!” (120) o “They kicked her out of that high school before the spring term ended – and I hate to tell you the reason that step o as taken. A seventeen-year-old boy – she’d gotten mixed up with! - Stella speaks of Blanche and her former husband o “When she was young, very young, she married a boy who wrote poetry… I think Blanche didn’t just love him but worshipped the ground he walked on! “ (124) o “She was always – flighty!” (124) || - Stella reveals the type of person Blanche was in her youth o “Yes, you tell one Blanche. You used to know lots of good jokes” (130) o “You didn’t know Blanche as a girl. Nobody, nobody, was as tender and as trusting as she was. But people like you abused her and forced her to change. (136) || -She hopefully/mockingly asks, “Did he //kill// her?” (86), during Steve and Eunice’s fight while she becomes shocked, flustered and worried for Stella after her fight with Stanley. -She feigns not having gone to the Flamingo but she actually has (seen through her “faint shock” and “laughs breathlessly” (89)) -Says she is poor from losing Belle Reve, but boasts expensive perfume -Wants a shot in her coke, but acted as a non-alcoholic earlier -She says to Stella, “You’re – so //good// to me! “ (93) when earlier she tells Stella that in Elysian fields she isn’t wanted, and ashamed. -Acts “prim and proper” but admits that she is not since she wants to “//deceive//” Mitch “enough to make him-want me…” (95) -Flirting around with all the men before, but now she says she wants to //rest!//” (95) -She acts proper but after kissing the newspaper boy, she says she must, “keep my hands off children” (99) (prior to saying that she wants to kiss him) -She kisses the boy right before Mitch comes -She is aggressive towards the boy, but expects Mitch to act gentlemanly __Flaws__ Liar – “Myself, myself for being such a liar” (85) High-class/snobbish/mocking -“I’m compiling a notebook of quaint little words and phrases I’ve picked up here.” -Self-conscious – “What have you heard about me?” (91) || __Inconsistencies__ -She says she wants to get Mitch, but plays hard to get: “I simply couldn’t rise to the occasion.” (101) -She says “the lady must entertain the gentleman” (101) while before she expected Mitch to act gentlemanly for her -She acts sophisticated by mentioning “Pleiades” (102) but her sexual desire makes her quite uncouth -Alters between hard to get and romantic, “Let’s leave the lights off.” (103) -says “no reason why you shouldn’t behave like a gentleman” (108) right before “you’re a natural gentleman” (108) -Plays innocent, and having “old-fashioned ideals” while she is actually very wild -She switches from playing around with Mitch and feigning emotions to actually telling the truth: a bit about her life and her own true feelings from her first love – she cries and feels genuinely __Flaws__ Condescending -Calls Mitch, “Good boy!” (102) Doesn’t give straight answers -Says “Why should you be so doubtful” (102) when Mitch asks to kiss her High-class/snobbish -speaks French -acts indifferent to “Alpaca” (105) Fake -“Gracious.” (106) -Unaccepting of gays || __Inconsistencies__ -Stanley tells Stella that Blanche is a wild, promiscuous person, while Blanche puts on a show of being innocent and old-fashioned -Acts good and pure, but sings a song in her bath that implies she is a liar (“just as phony as it can be-“ (120)) -Acts optimistic, says she has “a brand new outlook on life!” (128) when she has always acted in the same lying and promiscuous manner __Flaws__ Promiscuous/Lustful -Stanley’s telling of her activities in the Flamingo High-class/snobbish -“Not so terribly long!” (123) when asked how long it will be until she is done bathing || __Inconsistencies__ -admits that she has “had a good deal of all sorts” (129) of men when previously she acted pure -She asks Stella “what happened while I was bathing? What did he tell you, Stella?” (132), which strikes as being strange, since the question is out of context: Stanley’s hurling of the plates does not really relate to it: shows that she is giving herself away -She says “I won’t be taken for granted” (134) after Mitch stands her up in a very dignified tone but in truth, she has always been wild -Expected pity before/complained a lot but asks “why do you look at me with that pitying look?” (135) when Stella touches her shoulder after Mitch stood her up __Flaws__ High-class/snobbish -“I like them when they’re amusing but not indecent” (129) Fake -asks “Is it for //me?//” (136) even after Stanley has stated that it is (during Stanley’s giving of the Greyhound ticket as a present). ||
 * || Scene 5 || Scene 6 || Scene 7 || Scene 8 ||
 * Appearance and personality as described in stage directions ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Her past || - Stanley asks Blanche if she knows a man named Shaw, she tries being evasive, but is paranoid for the rest of the scene (obviously some truth to what Stanley has heard)
 * What we learn about her personality from her dialogue(what she says and how she says it) || * Page 91: This important dialogue between Blanche and Stella shows the audience that Blanche may be hiding secrets about her past from her sister. The way in which she quickly questions Stella shows her anxiety.
 * Page 95: Blanche speaks of her fading beauty and increasing age. Her appearance and youth are the most important things in her life, and from dialogues such as this one the audience sees that Blanche cares about her looks more than anything else. She comments that she is interested in Mitch because of the way she perceives him, even though in truth his idea of her is false.
 * Pages 96-99: In the final portion of scene five Blanche has a dialogue with a young paper boy in which she is very seductive. The ideas first created through her conversations with Stanley and Mitch are strongly reinforced, as the audience clearly sees the promiscuous side of Blanche. || * Scene six is comprised of a dialogue between Blanche and Mitch while they are on a date. In the first half Blanche continuously lies to Mitch about her morals and past, and the kind of woman that she is. Through her speech the audience sees that she likes to manipulate men, and that she seems practiced at doing it. It is also made apparent that Blanche does not find Mitch very interesting, so the audience sees her attraction to Mitch as not being sincere. These aspects work together to again show the kind of person Blanche seems to be around men.
 * In the final part of the sixth scene Blanche has a long speech, almost becoming a monologue, detailing the history of her dead husband. Through this speech the audience finally learns about Blanche’s dark past and gains a better Understanding for the grief she holds. Through conceiving the responsibility she believes to have for the death of her husband the audience knows the cause for the effect presented earlier in the play. || * Throughout scene seven Blanche is singing in the bathroom, and has no major dialogue with other characters. || * Pages 132-133: In scene eight Blanche is stood-up by Mitch on the night of her birthday. When Blanche gets frustrated she again questions Stella about what Stanley may have told Mitch about her. Again the audience sees that Blanche is trying to hide her past. They also see a hint of desperation, as Blanche tries to call Mitch. Through this scene it becomes clear that Blanche’s mental state has begun to deteriorate. ||
 * What other characters think and say about her ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Inconsistencies and flaws || __Inconsistencies__

Blanche's character scenes 9 - 11
o Mitch: “What music?” o Blanche: “The “Varsouviana”! The polka tune they were playing when Allan – wait!” (141) - Mitch reveals Stanley has told him about Blanche’s history in Laurel. o “I don’t mind you being older than what I thought… But I was a fool enough to believe you was straight.” (145) - Blanche denies it at first, but abandons all pretenses soon after. o “Yes, I had many intimacies with strangers. I think it was panic, just panic that drove me from one to another, hunting for some protection – here and there, in the most –unlikely places – even, at last, in a seventeen year old boy...” (146) o “Not far from Belle Reve, before we had lost Belle Reve, was a camp where they trained young soldiers. On Saturday nights they would go in town to get drunk – and on the way back they would stagger onto my lawn and call- “Blanche! Blanche! – the deaf old lady remaining suspected nothing. (149) || - As Blanche starts losing her sanity, she starts telling Stanley elaborate lies o “Mr. Shep Huntleigh. I wore his ATO pin my last year at college. I hadn’t seen him again until last Christmas. I ran in to him on Biscayne Boulevard. Hen – just now – this wire – inviting me on a cruise of the Caribbean!” (153) Further evidence of how Blanche cannot separate her past from the present (fading youth, inability to recover from husband’s death) || - || -Excited about seeing Mitch when before she didn’t really care -Starts to go insane: Hears “the polka tune they were playing when Allan-” (141) -Starts to drink again in comparison to her supposed clean appearance -States that she had “practically given” (142) Mitch up, when she hadn’t. -She says she “won’t descend to the level of such cheap accusations to answer them” (143) while in truth, she doesn’t answer because it will spoil her image -in denial: says she is straight when she actually isn’t. -In contrast to her denial of being promiscuous (through her portrayed good image) and her statement that she is straight, she admits to Mitch that she “had many intimacies with strangers” (146). -Blanche says she “thanked God for” (147) Mitch, and “needed somebody” (147), but earlier, she played hard to get with Mitch -Finally admits to promiscuity: “sometimes I slipped outside to answer their calls” (149) __Flaws__ High-class/snobbish -Tries to act ladylike with her comment that “I really shouldn’t let you in after the treatment” (139) Blaming/Makes excuses -Blames problems on her “loving brother-in-law” (145), Stanley. -interaction with Kiefaber Lying -Says the hotel name is the Tarantula not the Flamingo - || __Inconsistencies__ -Lies about Mitch: “come back with roses” (157) -Seems scared about sexual intimacy with another man (Stanley) despite past occurrences __Flaws__ High-class/snobbish -“Close the curtains before you undress any further” (154) -“a woman of intelligence and breeding” (156) Lying -“Improvising feverishly” (156) Self-conscious -“How strange that I should be called a destitute woman” (156) || __Inconsistencies__ -Change in mood to become more timid (seen with “Faintly hysterical vivacity” (166)) in comparison with earlier aggressiveness -Plays/flirts/argues with Stanley earlier, and pretends to be afraid of him, but now she is truly afraid (making a “shocked gesture” (167)) -Says, “I’m anxious to get out of here-this place is a trap!” (169), when before she would not go, and said she loved how Stella treated her so well -She says that “those cathedral bells-they’re the only clean thing in the Quarter” (170) when it is she herself that is not clean. -Shy about meeting “Shep” when she is told he is here. -Says “I don’t know you” (175) to the Matron when she herself flirted with others she did not really know (i.e. newspaper boy) -Says “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” (178) when she has never been really trusting of any stranger she knew before (Stanley, Mitch) __Flaws__ High-class/snobbish/commanding -Commands Stella to “Try and locate a bunch of” things for her in her accessory box. High-class/snobbish -After bathing, she asks, “is the coast clear?” before coming out Self-conscious -Asks, “Didn’t I get a call?” (167) from Shep Crazy/Insane -Confused between leaving/going to Shep/taken away to madhouse ||
 * || Scene 9 || Scene 10 || Scene 11 ||
 * Appearance and personality as described in stage directions ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Her past || - Mitch visits Blanche and acts standoffish; Blanche starts hearing the polka tune (including the revolver shot). Here, we see her past has started creeping into the present (adds to her spiral into madness).
 * What we learn about her personality from her dialogue(what she says and how she says it) || * Pages 139-144: In the beginning of scene nine Mitch visits Blanche while she is alone at the house. Before she knows that Mitch has learnt the through about her past and some aspects of her character, she continues to play innocent. Her speech is playful and flirtatious, and through this the audience can see her attempt to create a illusion for Mitch.
 * Pages 145-150: Once Blanche realizes that Mitch will not be fooled by her sweet talking, her speech changes drastically. She speaks truthfully about her past and why she feels like a woman must hide her true disposition. Even though Mitch cannot comprehend her meaning, the audience learns more about Blanche. Possibly through this dialogue some sympathy for Blanche is created, especially as the audience sees her tortured by her unstable mind. || * In scene ten Blanche has a dialogue with Stanley which ultimately leads to her being raped. In this scene Blanche’s speech is used to create sympathy from the audience. As the scene opens Blanche is having a conversation with herself, seemingly absorbed in her own illusions. And as her conversation with Stanley progresses she repeatedly makes up stories about Shep and Mitch, telling her brother in law that they are going to come save her. Stanley’s voice represents reality, and the audience can see Blanche attempting to fight the true world. Her decent into her fantasy world is shown in the way she speaks, and through this the audience gains insight on what has become of Blanche. || * In scene eleven the transformation which had begun before the rape is now complete. As can be seen through her speech, Blanche has completely retreated to her fantasy world and has all but blocked out reality. Her brief dialogue shows the audience the “new” Blanche, and again serves to create sympathy for her character. ||
 * What other characters think and say about her ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Inconsistencies and flaws || __Inconsistencies__

= =

= = //__STANLEY AND STELLA__ //

Stanley and Stella
personality as described in the stage directions --> Divya ||   -->[They are about 28-30 years old, roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes. Stanley carries his bowling jacket and a red- stained package from the butchers.] (4) Stanley appears to be a common man because of the way he dresses. He is colorfully dressed.
 * || Scene 1  ||  Scene 2  ||  Scene 3  ||  Scene 4  ||
 *  Stanley's appearence and

-->[He heaves the package at her.](4) Stanley displays himself to be a rough man, as the image of someone heaving something illustrates a form of aggressiveness. There is also a sexual connotation to this quote, as the package Stan heaves contains meat, hence emphasizing his aggressive nature towards women. = ====   ====

= || -->[He pulls open the wardrobe trunk standing in the middle of the room and jerks out an armful of dresses.] (33)

-->[He hurls the furs to the daybed. Then he jerks open small drawer in the trunk and pulls up a fist-full of costume jewelry.] (34)

-->Pulling, jerking, hurling all illustrate Stanley's aggressive and hasty nature. In this scene Stanley's aggressive behaviour contributes to the fact that he does not like people who are not straightforward with him. <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 90%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)"> || <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[Stanley, Steve, Mitch and Pablo- wear coloured shirts, solid blues, a purple, a red-and-white check, a light green..] (46) Stanley is seen wearing colorful clothing again.

-->[He lurches up and tosses some water- melon rinds to the floor.] Barbaric behaviour. He resembles an animal's behaviours.

--> [Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.] (50)

-->{Stanley charges after Stella.] .... [There is a sound of a loud blow. Stella cries...] (63) Stanley is seen as chauvinistic, disrespectful and unsympathetic. Stan does not take into consideration the fact that Stella is pregnant.

-->[Stanley jumps up and, crossing to the radio, turns it off] (55) -->[Yells]. (56) -->[With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out of the window.] (62) He likes to dominate any situation, and everything has to be according to his liking.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 241, 241)"> || <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[He wears an under shirt and grease- stained seersucker pants.] (82) Stanley's appearance is grungy, greasy and unattractive.

-->[He laughs and clasps her head to him. Over her head he grins through the curtains at Stella.] (84) Stan's facial expressions tell the audience a lot about his feelings and intentions. He acts loving towards Stella, though his expressions are scheming towards Blanche. He is trying to make Blanche know that he is the one Stella will fall back upon when times are rough, instead of her. There is also an implication that Stan also is showing that the New South (Stan) is taking over, while the Old South (Blanche) has been left behind and forgotten. <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 241, 241)"> || reveals about him --> Emma || -->“Catch!” … “Meat!” An example of Stanley’s recurrent sexual humor. || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> --> "Yeah?" "How?" "So?" "So?" (30-1) Stella's the one doing the explaining and talking, Stanley comes off as rather simple and perhaps dumb.
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">What Stanley's language

--> "...on that subjeck" (31) --> "I don't like being //swindled//." (33) --> "damn tootin'" (36) --> "Where's the papers?" (41) --> "What's them underneath?" (42) Stanley's speech is rather common, his grammar lacks education. His vocab is shown to be limited because of his lack of a synonym for "swindled", which is a rather colloquial word when compared to other words for the same crime. This all strengthens the view of him as lower class, common, especially in comparison to Blanche's high diction.

--> "treasure chest of a pirate!" (34) Stanley exclaims about Blanche's things not knowing their worth.

|| <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> --> "Get y'r ass off the table, Mitch. Nothing belongs on a poker table but cards, chips and whiskey." (47) Highlights Stanley's dependence and/or beliefs in masculine things, hobbies, being a 'man's man.' He has strict rules and definitions, looks down upon any man who doesn't meet his criteria. Profanity beginning to emerge here.

--> "Shut up." (47) --> "we'll fix you a sugar-tit." (48) Rude, dominating, bossy. When Mitch expresses his guilt of being out when his Mother is sick Stanley makes fun of him. Stanley can't stand weakness, thinks that those who do not stand up to his criteria of being a man are only babies (hence the pacifier remark).

--> "you hens" (54) Patronizingly names the women, name comes from crude joke: women as sexual objects.

--> "STELL-LAHHHHH!" Lack of language during his fight suggest animalism, a barbarian. || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="color: rgb(224, 224, 224)"> Stanley's language not significant in this scene. || reveal about him --> Elizabeth || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> -"restrains Mitch" (23)- shows he controls/bullies others -Stanley looks at the whiskey bottle and knows its lowered 926)-shows he's perceptive || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> Jerks out Blanche's clothes & jewelery (33)- shows he doesn't care about manners or that she'll notice. He doesn't care about being secretive, just wants to see the facts || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  -Slaps Stella's thigh (50)-shows he's in control because it happens when she tells the boys to stop playing poker -Turns off radio(55)- shows control -Throw radio out window (62)- He's willing to sacrifice things just to show his control || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  Grins at Blanche after he secretly heard her rant about him (84)- shows he's tricky || is revealed and developed --> Saskia || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  1. Meat catching scene characterizes her relationship with Stanley. “When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild” (19) 2. Soft spoken, trying to keep Blanche at ease. 3.Subservient to Blanche “Well, I thought you’d volunteer that information—if you wanted to tell me” (13) || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> 1. Doesn’t care about money like Stan (30) 2. “My head is swimming” (33) She tries to avoid conflict 3. “I’m going outside” (35) Runs off instead of confronting the problem 4. (40) isn’t only subservient to Stanley, but also Blanche since she gets her the lemon coke || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> || 1. Stella constantly gives Blanche the reassurance she is looking for (49) 2. “That’s not fun Stanley” (50) and then running off 3.“They come together with low, animal moans” 67 to describe Stella and Stan’s reunion || || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> 1. Blanche’s hysteria makes Stella seem like the irrational one of the two, even though most would agree Stan ‘s treatment of Stella is wrong 2. “People have got to tolerate each other’s habits I guess” (74) || and Stella's marriage --> Amelie || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  ||
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)"> W <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)"> hat Stanley's actions
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">How Stella's character
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">The state of Stanley

personality as described in the stage directions --> Divya || <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->{Stanley comes around in his green and scarlet silk bowling shirt]. (87) Stan is seen wearing colorful clothing again.
 * || = Scene 5  = || =  Scene 6  = || =  Scene 7  = || =  Scene 8  = ||
 * <span style="background-color: rgb(244, 241, 241)"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)"> <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">Stanley's appearence and

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[He jerks open the bureau drawer, slams it shut and throws shoes in a corner.] (88) Again illustrating his aggressive nature.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[Contemptuously](89) Asides from Stanley's actions, which displays his need for answers, his tone of voice also emphasizes this need.

|| <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 241, 241)"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(178, 174, 174)">Stanley does not appear in this scene || <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[Mimicking] (117) Shows how Stanley is immature and intolerable of Blanche's behavior.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[Stanley comes up and takes her by the shoulders gently.] (125) Stanley wants to know the truth about Blanche's ex-husband, and the only way is to be gentle and calm with Stella. || <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[He hurls a plate to the floor.], <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">[He seized her arm] <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">, [He hurls a cup and a saucer to the floor.] (131) Stanley is fed up with the way he has been treated by the women, because he expects respect from women,and he strives to maintain control of the house and the women.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[... He grunts and turns away from her.] (132) Stanley wants Stella to feel bad that Blanche is living with them.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[Stanley turns slowly back toward his wife and takes her clumsily in his arms.] Stanley does this to persuade Stella into getting rid of Blanche.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">-->[...ripping off his shirt,and changes into a brilliant silk bowling shirt. She follows him.](137) Stanley knows that now that he has taken care of business with Blanche, he can once again live his life, as he did before Blanche came into his life. || reveals about him --> Emma || --> "You won't pick up nothing here you ain't heard before." (88) Emphasizing the fact that all the language spoken by Stanley and his friends is common, and that thereby they are too.
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">What Stanley's language

--> "Not in front of your sister." (91) By withholding the affection and physical relationship between them, Stanley is punishing Stella for letting Blanche stay in their home. || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="color: rgb(224, 224, 224)"> Stanley's language not significant in this scene.

|| <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="color: rgb(224, 224, 224)"> Stanley's language not significant in this scene. || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> --> "Every Man is a King!" (131) Stanley firmly believes in male dominance, wants to make the women subservient, and he is angered by Stella and Blanche calling him a pig, so he accuses them of acting like "a pair of queens". (131)

--> "Them nights we had together?" (133) --> "them colored lights" (137) Stanley exercises control over Stella by reminding her of their passionate, sexual relationship, making an ultimatum for her: either have Blanche or have this sexual relationship, but not both. || reveal about him --> Elizabeth || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> Stanley "trots up the steps and bangs into the kitchen"- animalistic verbs || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  (not in the scene) || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  "touches her shoulders rather gently"(125)- shows he has a soft side for Stella || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  Stanley eats pork chop with his fingers (131)- animal-like -Hurls stuff to the floor (131)-Showing his power control over Stella -Gives Blanche a dirty look, then speaks to her in a false tone (135)- he's being immature about their relationship? || is revealed and developed --> Saskia || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> 1. “That’s much more practical” (87) is her response to Eunice going drinking rather than to the police 2. “I like to wait on you, Blanche. It makes it seem more like home.” (93) || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> Stella isn't in this scene || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  1. “…Blanche and I grew up under very different circumstances than you did.” (118) She feels the class difference between her and Stanley 2. She doesn’t believe what Stan says about Stella, calling it “pure invention” (121) //links back to the idea of illusions for all you children making connections 3.// She does stand up to Stan in this scene, for Blanche. Refuses to believe Stan, and says Blanche won’t be leaving || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> 1. “Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself to think of anything else!” (131) Does this mean she agrees with Blanche, that Stan is an animal? 2. After Stanley throws his plate she “cries weakly” (131) 3. She tries to stop Blanche from calling Mitch, as if she believes she can really stop Blanche from finding out. Naïve and evasive. 4. She seems torn between loyalties at this point 5. When she needs to go to the hospital she doesn’t say anything, she leans against something and waits for Stan to ask her || and Stella's marriage --> Amelie || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  ||
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)"> W <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)"> hat Stanley's actions
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">How Stella's character
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">The state of Stanley

personality as described in the stage directions --> Divya || <span style="background-color: rgb(244, 241, 241)"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(178, 174, 174)">Stanley does not appear in this scene || ->[He unbuttons his shirt] (154) -> [He starts removing his shirt] (154) Stanley is aware that Blanche is in the same room, though he is deviant and disrespectful towards Blanche at this point.
 * || = Scene 9  = || =  Scene 10  = || =  Scene 11  = ||
 * <span style="background-color: rgb(244, 241, 241)"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)"> <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">Stanley's appearence and

->[He grins at her...] (160) He is acting shady, and Blanche doesn't know how to react.

->[He takes a step towards her, biting his tongue which protrudes between his lips.] (161) ->[He springs towards her..] (162) ->[He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed.](162) Stanley is acting forceful and animal-like. He is violating Blanche. This act can bee seen as Stanley's way of dominating the Old South. In some ways, he is doing this, though his male domineering nature is prevalent.

|| ->[The poker players stand...] This contrasts to the beginning of the play where no one stood. Blanche has become an object of pity.

->[Stanley has gone out on the porch and stands at the foot of the steps looking at Stella.] (178) Personally, I think that Stanley is looking at Stella and feeling accomplished, as he has Stella all to himself.

->[He kneels beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse]. (178) Earlier Stanley said that he can not wait to make love to Stella without having Blanche over hear, so I presume that Stanley's sexual urges are not fulfilled as Blanche as been sent away. It is odd that the moment Blanche leaves, Stella and Stan engage in sexual intercourse, but this reflects how Stanley has to have things his way and when he wants it. || reveals about him --> Emma || <span style="color: rgb(224, 224, 224)"> Stanley's language not significant in this scene. || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> --> "you are the Queen of the Nile!" (158) Stanley's tirade against Blanche coming in and turning the whole home "into Egypt" is a sheerly veiled attack on her independence and flamboyance and disregard of Stanley's rules. This links to Stanley's earlier "King" belief. || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> --> "You know what luck is? Luck is believing that you're lucky. Take at Salerno." (163) Stanley compares the card game to war, and the card game is also symbolic for the conflict with Blanche, and since Stanley is winning at cards, he is also winning in the war against Blanche and all that she stands for.
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">What Stanley's language

--> "Now, honey. Now, love." (179) As Blanche is taken away to a mental institution, Stanley starts cooing to Stella, rewarding her sexually for her obedience in getting rid of her sister. || reveal about him --> Elizabeth || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> (not in scene) || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  rapes Blanche (162)- Shows his control over her, acts animal-like in the way that he can't control his instincts || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  -Stanley has to be restrained by Steve (168)-shows he's always seeking to show his power -Stanley rises as if to block Blanche's way- symbolizes how he's blocking her way in life (and how he's blocking her away from Stella) || is revealed and developed --> Saskia || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> (not in scene) || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  (not in scene) || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  1. Stan has won Stella as she is packing Blanche’s things 2. “I don’t know if I did the right thing… I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley” (165) In her situation she has to put up with Stanley to survive, thus she can’t believe Blanche without going insane herself (//my own interpretation)// 3. Everything is going on is a false sense of normalcy, the men play poker and Stella is making sure that Eunice compliments Blanche, but the are some things that are slightly different giving the scene an eerie feel 4. “What have I done to my sister? Oh, God, what have I done to my sister?” (176) 5. Stella has a “complete surrender to crying” in which Stan Blue Pianos her || and Stella's marriage --> Amelie || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  || <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">  ||
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)"> W <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)"> hat Stanley's actions
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">How Stella's character
 * <span style="color: rgb(20, 172, 255)">The state of Stanley

= =

**Fantasy/Illusion vs. Reality**
- Blanche is constantly reminding Stella about her trials and tribulations in losing Belle Reve; she creates the fantasy story where she solely suffers - When discussing why she left the school: “I was on the verge of- lunacy almost! So Mr. Graves…suggested I take a leave of absence.” [1, pg.14] - “I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together!” [1, pg.20] - Blanche: “A woman’s charm is fifty per cent illusion, but when a thing is important I tell the truth and this is the truth. I haven’t cheated my sister or you or anyone else as long as I have lived.” [2, pg.41] - Blanche asks Mitch to put up her paper lantern, which is a symbol of how she masks and hides from reality; “I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.” [2, pg.60] - Blanche is living in a fantasy world: - Blanche doesn’t like to reveal her real age: “Blanche: I’d much rather forget it – when – when you reach twenty-seven… Stanley: Twenty-seven? Blanche [//quickly//]: What is it? Is it for me?” [9, pg.135-136] - The polka tune plays when she’s in her fantasy world: “You’ve stopped that polka tune that I had caught in your head?” [9, pg. 140] - Blanche prefers to live in fantasy than face realism: “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” [9, pg.145] - Stanley finally confronts Blanche about her fantasy world - Victory of reality vs. fantasy with Stanley and Blanche respectively representing either one - Blanche, meanwhile, has completely submerged herself in her fantasy world
 * “It’s only a paper moon, Just as phony as it can be – But it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me.” [7, pg.121]
 * “It’s a Barnum and Bailey world, Just as phony as it can be -” [7, pg.122]
 * -“There isn’t a goddamn thing but imagination! …And lies and conceit and tricks!” [10, pg.158]
 * -“I’ve been on to you from the start! Not once did you pull any wool over this boy’s eyes! You come in here and sprinkle the place with powder and spray perfume and cover the light-bulb with a paper lantern, and lo and behold the place has turned into Egypt and you are the Queen of the Nile! Sitting on your throne and swilling down my liquor! I say—//Ha!—Ha!//” [10, pg.158]
 * -the “lurid reflections” and “grotesque shadows” representing the turmoil in Blanche’s mind and how she loses sanity as ‘reality’ seems to triumph
 * -his luck in the poker game [11, pg.163]
 * -Stanley “seizes the paper lantern, tearing it off the light bulb, and extends it towards [Blanche]. She cries out as if the lantern was herself.” [11, pg.176]

**Clash of Two Worlds/Cultures**
- Blanche’s initial surprise at Stella’s living arrangements, which are poorer than she’d thought; “Why didn’t you tell me…why didn’t you let me know…that you had to live in such living conditions!” [1, pg.12] - Stanley becomes frustrated when he is unable to tell the difference between high priced “feathers and furs” from fakes, or whether Blanche’s are the real thing. [2, pgs.34-35] - Blanche expects Stanley to act like the gentlemen she knew in the past but is surprised when he doesn’t treat her as nicely as she expects - Blanche expects the men to stand up for her during the poker game as a courtesy, but they don’t [3, pg.50] - Blanche is extremely surprised when Stella goes back to Stanley after the poker game when he hits her - Blanche links knowing vulgar phrases to lower class people like Stanley: “she had a parrot that cursed a blue streak and knew more vulgar expressions than Mr. Kowalski!” [8, pg.130] - Stanley is constantly being insulted by Blanche and Stella: “Don’t ever talk that way to me! “Pig – Polack – disgusting – vulgar – greasy!” [9, pg.131] - conflict of class, as seen by Blanche: “Yes, swine! Swine! And I’m thinking not only of you but of your friend, Mr. Mitchell. He came to see me tonight. He dared to come here in his workclothes!” [10, pg.156-157]
 * -Stanley: “Your looks are okay.”
 * Blanche: “I was fishing for a complement, Stanley.”
 * Stanley: “I don’t go in for that stuff.” [2, pg.38]
 * -Stanley: “Some men are took in by this Hollywood glamour stuff and some men are not.” [2, pg.39]

**Death**
- The famous line describing Blanche’s life: “They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields!” [1, pg.6] - Blanche tells Stella about all the deaths that accompanied the loss of Belle Reve; “I, I, //I// took the blows in my face and my body! All of those deaths! The long parade to the graveyard! …You just came home in time for the funerals, Stella. And funerals are pretty compared to deaths. Funerals are quiet, but deaths—not always.” [1, pg.21] - Blanche, about Belle Reve: “[All] that was left…was the house itself and 20 acres of ground, including a graveyard, to which now all but Stella and I have retreated.” [2, pg.44] - Mitch shows the inscription of his cigarette case to Blanche: “She knew she was dying when she give me this. A very strange girl, very sweet—very!” [3, pg.58] - Mexican woman selling flowers used in funerals: “Flores. Flores. Flores para los muertos.” [9, pg.147] - Blanche has had a lot of experience with death: “Death – I used to sit here and she used to sit over there and death was as close as you are…” [9, pg.149] - “The rest of my time I’m going to spend on the sea. And when I die, I’m going to die on the sea. You know what I shall die of? I shall die of eating an unwashed grape one day out on the ocean. I will die—with my hand in the hand of some nice-looking ship’s doctor… And I’ll be buried at sea sewn up in a clean white sack and dropped overboard…” [11, pg.170] - symbolic death of Blanche, which contrasts with the birth of Stella’s baby

**Desire**
- The famous line describing Blanche’s life: “They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields!” [1, pg.6] - Blanche, on Belle Reve: “//I// let the place go? Where were //you//? In bed with your Polack!” [1, pg.22] - Blanche blames the loss of Belle Reve on the desire of the males of her family: “Piece by piece, our improvident grandfather and father and uncles and brother exchanged the land for their epic fornications” [2, pg.44] - Stanley calls out for Stella to come back to him after he hits her, and Stella returns to him. The whole scene has elements of desire, including the brass music. - Blanche’s activities in Laurel were so scandalous even the hotel kicked her out: “The Flamingo is used to all kinds of goings-on. But even the management of the Flamingo was impressed by Dame Blanche!” [7, pg.120] - Blanche had an affair with a 17 year old boy: “A seventeen-year-old boy – she’d gotten mixed up with!” [7, pg.122] - Stanley and Stella’s relationship is mainly based on their sexual attraction for each other: “God, honey, it’s gonna be sweet when we can make noise in the night the way we used to and get the colored lights going with nobody’s sister behind the curtains to hear us.” [8, pg.133] - honky tonk music plays in the background; “As [Stanley] peers in at Blanche, he gives a low whistle” [10, pg.151] - blue piano music also plays, during Stanley and Blanche’s final face-off

**Loneliness**
- Blanche refuses to be alone and to spend the time in a hotel; “I want to be //near// you, got to be //with// somebody, I //can’t// be //alone//.” [1, pg.17] - Blanche was run out of Laurel by the townspeople: “That’s why she’s here this summer, visiting royalty, putting on all this act – because she’s practically told by the mayor to get out of town.” [7, pg.121] - Mitch doesn’t show up at her birthday dinner: “Blanche has a tight, artificial smile on her drawn face. There is a fourth place at the table which is left vacant.” [8, pg.129] - Stella can’t stand seeing Blanche’s loneliness at the dinner: “I never had so much trouble swallowing food in my life, looking at that girl’s face and the empty chair!” [8, pg.132] - Blanche talking about Shep Huntleigh: “What he wants is companionship. Having great wealth sometimes makes people lonely! …I think of myself as a very, very rich woman!” [10, pg.156]