Streetcar+-+essay+plans

toc =**__Power and Powerlessness__**= The men’s attitude towards women in //A Street Car Named// Desire is seen through their actions, crude and patronizing tones that exemplify the powerless position of women. As a result of how men have taken advantage of their susceptibility, the women are portrayed as delusional and out of touch of reality. Their presence simply to satisfy any desire that the men may possess The men blame the women for being present when they were playing cards instead of judging Stanley’s unruly actions and taking responsibility for the fight. “Poker shouldn’t be played in the house with women” pg 63 - It is implied that the women should have removed themselves from the situation. - Blame the alcohol; blame the women for their presence. Poker and bowling = seen as powerful hobbies, competitive, virile. - View women as sexual objects: [He sizes women up with a glance, with sexually classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them] pg 25 - The stage descriptions portray Stanley as a gaudy seed bearer. - Gives us insight into Stanley’s perception of women - Shows his superiority towards women - Rates and classifies them according to his sexual desires. Blanche: You’re simply, straightforward and honest, a little bit on the primitive side I should think. To interest you a women would have to – [she pauses with indefinite gesture.] Stanley: Lay…her cards on the table. Pg 39 - insights into his expectations of women - “lay her cards on the table” euphuism for a woman opening themselves to his advances. “We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning” 162 - Stanley’s sexually desires for Blanche evident from the beginning. - Possibly reason for him allowing Blanche to stay for so long and speak about him unkindly. (Examples: Ape, swine, primitive etc) Stanley uses sex as a way to control women Uses sex to control Stella 1st time: after he beats her 2nd time: when Blanche leaves as a way to comfort her. Rapes blanches- ultimate act of control Women are not respected, only wanted to fulfill sexual desires. What do you want? What I have been missing all summer Then marry me, Mitch! I don’t think I want to marry you any more. No? You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother. Go away then. [he stares at her] get out of here before I scream fire! Pg 149-150 Double sexual standard: When Stanley finds out of about Blanche’s sexual history, he uses the information to undermine her position of power. - tells Stella and Mitch - Stella loses respect for her sister Mitch loses respect for Blanche and doesn’t want to marry her anymore. “Not clean enough to take home to my mother”. However, he still desires her and attempts to get “what he’s been waiting for all summer”. -Blanche has had as many sexual exploits, just as experienced as Stanley -Stanley’s experience is not viewed as “bad” Last sentence Men undermine the power of the women as society allows them. It is evident through their attitudes, expectations and sexual double standards.
 * __Through male attitudes towards women, Williams is concern to demonstrate issues of power and powerlessness. Discuss__**
 * Thesis:**
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.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... =Accept an imperfect existence?= English Essay Outline “In //A Streetcar Named Desire//, Williams condemns those who accept life as it is, who accommodate themselves to an imperfect existence; his sympathy lies with Blanche who clings to what life ought to be.” Discuss.” **Paragraph 1 : Intro** - THESIS: Analyzing how Tennessee Williams portrays Stella Kowalski and Blanche DuBois shows that Williams does not approve of the new societal values, expressing sympathy towards those who struggle to maintain the old societal values against the new social orders by comparing Stella and Blanche. - In order to survive in the new social orders one may have to discard her own ideals. - Tennessee Williams definitely expressed sympathy for Blanche, who tries to survive in the new society. However, he creates a contradiction by NOT punishing those characters who accept life as it is, however immoral it may be. **Paragraph 2: Keeping their values – Stella** - In contrast, Stella is pragmatic; she believes Stanley will actually “go somewhere,” which represents Stella believes in the new society. à p. 18, Stella: “I assure you I wasn’t just blinded by all the brass” à This shows how Stella was NOT blinded by the ideals but rather is more practical and gets accustomed to the new orders. **Paragraph 3: Keeping their values - Blanche** -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> p. 145, Blanche: “I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it!” à She does not hesitate to admit that she lies about herself, and is aware of the consequences. Williams uses Blanche’s disguises to show what life ought to be. à p. 20, Blanche: “…But you are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I! I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it!” à Blanche stayed with her old ideals, and thus loses in the new society. **Paragraph 4: Example of Stella vs Blanche – Acceptance of domestic violence** -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Stella lives in a world in which a passionate relationship may entail violence, e.g. Steve and Eunice, and Stanley beating Stella but she forgives him easily. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> This implies that although the two girls come from the same background, Stella accepts the new society and thus survives, whereas Blanche refuses to give up her own ideals and eventually loses. **Paragraph 5: Condemnations of those who accept life as it is – Stella** -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Stella is later portrayed as a sister who abandons her ill sister for the sensual relationship with Stanley. à Condemned because Williams makes the readers lose respect for her – should we not respect those who accept the new social orders? **Paragraph 6: Conclusion** -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> In conclusion, Tennessee Williams portrays Stella as the person who “accepts life as it is,” while Blanche “clings to what life ought to be.” -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> He expresses sympathy towards Blanche, and ends up portraying Stella as a “mean sister,” which implies that he disapproves of the double standards of the new society and it presents his personal point of view of a perfect existence.

=Conflict between past and present=

9. Throughout //A Street Car Named Desire//, Williams is concerned with the process of remembereing and the conflict between the past and the present. Discuss. **Title:** The Conflicting Relationship between Old and New **-** Historical context (how this period was a time of transition as the Old South was disappearing) **Thesis Statement:** Tennessee Williams shows the conflicting relationship between the Old South and modern times through Blanche and Stanley’s relationship, during a time when the aristocracy of the Old South was disappearing as immigrants were arriving and modernization of the country was taking place. However Blanche is unable to disconnect herself from her past and adapt to new times, which leads her to experience a conflicting relationship with Stanley, and eventually her downfall at the end of the play. **Outline**: 1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> **//Characterization//**: //Blanche and Stanley’s clashing characteristics make their conflicting relationship inevitable.// Blanche is living in the past with her old-fashioned morals, while Stanley is a modern man. Stanley defines brutal masculinity while Blanche represents femininity. We initially see Blanche as a woman who expects common courtesy and respect from people around her, though Williams later illustrates her lack of morals and ethics (kisses paper boy and seduces a student). Stanley’s harsh tone and faces the facts, can tolerate the harshness of reality, controlling, demanding, powerful, domineering. Ex. many examples. 2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> **//Symbols://** //Through symbols in the play such as letters, clothes, and light, readers can pick up on Blanche and Stanley’s conflicting qualities, which represent their greater conflicting relationship.// __Letters-__Blanche is constantly living in a dream world. This is shown by Blanche’s letters to Shep glamorizing her life. In contrast, Stanley lives in the moment. __Clothes-__ Blanche wears subtle clothes. Stanley wears bright and bold flamboyant colors. (ex. at poker scene, Stanley and the other players wear primary colors) __Light-__Blanche prefers soft light while Stanley prefers bright light. Ex. he opens the window blinds/ he tears the paper lantern off the lightbulb. 3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> **//Society’s Standards://** //Blanche is surprised by current society’s standards, which illustrates how she cannot escape from the past and the past norms.// In the society that Stella and Stanley live in, men’s wrongdoings are ignored. Ex. rape, slapping thigh,hitting stella. though....In the society that Blanche lives in, this is unacceptable and can not be tolerated. <span style="color: rgb(221, 32, 103)">Quotes : p.63.-Stanley hits Stella. p. 50- slapping thigh. P. 166- Eunice tells Stella to dismisses the accusations. p.81- Stella says “but there are things that happen....” Blanche is unable to accept the fact that Stella has married a man that is an immigrant and Polish, because Stella and Blanche were brought up to date/marry men of the same social status. 4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> **//How Tennessee illustrates Blanche’s past on stage://** //Williams illustrates on stage how Blanche continually remembers the past.// Through visual actions, polka music, she jerks. Polka music continues later in the play. LIGHT!!!!! PAGE 115 “And never for one moment since has there been any light that’s stronger than this..” & “It was like you suddenly turned on a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me.” Blanche’s desire to always be concealed in soft light is repeated throughout the whole play. What does this tell us about her past? Polka music is a symbol of her past. Light- she is hiding things like her husband hid his sexuality. She is hiding her past and her reality. In the end she is forced to come into the light (ex. when mitch rips off light) In the end the New social order wins (for example the rape and Blanche being taken to an asylum.) Blanche cannot forget the past, and so experiences a downfall at the end when she cannot adapt to the new times. Blanche and Stanley’s conflicting relationship represents a far greater conflict between the Old South and new social order. Blanche is unable to let go of the past, and so heads quickly to her downfall, as the new social order takes over. Pg 99- Blanche seduces boy. Pg 83- Blanche talks about how they grew up differently from Stanley and says Stanley is a stone-age caveman. This is IRONIC because Blanche instead is the one living in the past. Pg 83- Don’t hang back with the brutes. Pg 115- Blanche reflects on her marriage to the gay Allan.
 * 1. Introduction **
 * 5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> ** **//Downfall and New social order wins//**
 * Conclusion: **
 * Key Quotations: **

=Sexuality=
 * “In //A Streetcar Named Desire// Williams is concerned with the nature and effects of human sexuality.”**


 * THESIS **Sexuality is a prominent aspect that Williams explores in //Streetcar//; it by turn causes violence, power plays, and is used as a tool of control. Through the play, sexuality comes in a range of expressions, not all of which are equally accepted by society.

Stanley is representative of the general male populace who are allowed to be sexually flamboyant and dominant. Sexual violence is caused by the man and accepted as a routine part of society. This is shown through the sensual appearance of the "blue piano", Stanley's beating of Stella, and the fights of Steve and Eunice. Stanley uses his sexuality to control.
 * 1. //One form of sexuality is distinctly represented through Stanley.//**
 * Support:**
 * //"The perpetual blue piano" (29)// is a pervasive symbol for sensuality and sexuality and appears throughout: "This "blue piano" expresses the spirit of the life which goes on here." (3)
 * "//The stage directions describing Stanley// emphasize his brusque, dominant view of pleasure "the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens. ... his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer." (24-5) His overt masculinity comes through in what he cares for most: his car, rough humor, drink, poker, bowling -- perhaps those of a 'man's man'.
 * //"They are men ... as coarse and direct and powerful as the primary colors."// (46) The stage directions for Scene Three: The Poker Night blatantly describe the vivacity of the men with their "colored shirts" and later "gaudy pyjamas" (70) directly dominating over the pale hues that the women wear: "pink" "white" "light blue" (53) Additionally, while the men play poker in the "lurid nocturnal brilliance, the raw colors of childhood's spectrum", the women are hidden away behind the curtain, where the "bedroom is relatively dim". (46)
 * Quotes:**
 * Yelling “STELL-LAHHHHH!” (67) in an animal-like way after he beats her.
 * "//The door upstairs opens again. Stella slips down the rickety stairs in her robe. Then they come together with alow, animal moans. He falls to his knees on the steps and presses his face to her belly…her eyes go blind with tenderness…He snatches the screen door open."// (67)
 * __//Additional//__
 * Stella "//laughs uncertainly//” (74) when asked about Stanley's behavior.

Stella is representative of the general subservient female who is dependent on their partner for sexual gratification. Stanley uses sex with Stella to control her.
 * 2. //Stella is controlled by the overtly sexual Stanley.//**
 * Support:**
 * //Stanley has sex with Stella to avoid/dismiss/make her forget about problems.// This first happens after he beats her; she becomes placated, almost drugged: "Her eyes and lips have that almost narcotized tranquility that is in the faces of Eastern idols." (70) The second instance occurs after Stella realizes the magnitude of sending Blanche away to a mental institution, and Stanley steps in to control the situation with his way of side-stepping the problem: "He kneels beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse" (179)
 * Quotes:**
 * "But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark-that sort of make everything else seem-unimportant." (81) - Stella to Blanche
 * "What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire!-the name of that rattle-trap street-car" (81) - Blanche to Stella
 * __//Additional//__
 * "//Stella has embraced him with both hands, fully and fiercely//" (84) after Stanley returns home from greasing the car.
 * Likewise Steve also uses sex to make up for wrongdoings after his and Eunice's fight: "Steve's arm is around Eunice's shoulder and she is sobbing luxuriously and he is cooing love-words. There is a murmur of thunder as they go slowly upstairs in a tight embrace." (90)

Blanche represents the possibility of a new era of women who are more like Stanley in their sexual openness. Although Blanche talks about sexual openness she can't admit to it the way Stanley can; this shows the double standards of society.
 * 3. //Contrasting Stella, Blanche seeks out sexual gratification for herself.//**
 * Support:**
 * //Blanche seeks out pleasure.// This has happened in her past in the form of many affairs, but also occurs in the present when she seduces the paper boy and plays with Mitch, a relationship which she seems to be in control of, although not wholly serious about.
 * //Although Blanche trumpets// //sexual forwardness////, she cannot admit to it.// She expresses her sexuality to Mitch in French so that he cannot understand it (104) and she tries to deny accusations against her flamboyance and bad reputation (132).
 * Quotes:**
 * There "was a camp where they trained young soldiers. ... they would stagger onto my lawn and call - 'Blanche! Blanche!' ... sometimes I slipped outside to answer their calls". (149)
 * “I’ve got to be good-and keep my hands off children.” (99), when flirting and talking to the newspaper boy.
 * __//Additional//__
 * “I was a fool enough to believe you was straight.” (145) - Mitch to Blanche
 * “Yes-I want Mitch…very badly!” (95) - Blanche to Stella

//**4. Gays are also shown to be oppressed in the novel. Blanche’s first husband was gay, and he was treated with society-accepted revulsion.**// Like Stella's sexuality, the sexuality of gays are also controlled, similarly. Gays are discriminated against, and oppressed since they are seen as being unnatural.
 * Support:**
 * //Blanche's treatment of, and dialogue towards her gay husband//. This reflects and suggests the idea that the gay community was discriminated in very much the same way during the era of the novel. As Blanche is a high-up, respectable character, this reflects that her views toward gays are acceptable (by society) and normal.
 * //Blanche's regret towards her treatment of her husband.// The suicide of her husband, in conjunction with Blanche's remorseful dialogue reinforces pity on the gays' behalf, and suggests that gays are not understood, and should be accepted.
 * Quotes:**
 * "You disgust me…” (114). Her statement that he is a freak.
 * His suicide brings about sympathy, described as being “there was something different about the boy, a nervousness, a softness and tenderness which wasn’t like a man’s … that thing was there…he came to me for help” (114) and "I’d failed him". She loved him unendurably, highlighting that gays aren't different from the rest of society, and are normal.
 * Stella embodies society's views about homosexuality when she describes Blanche's first husband to Stanley: "This beautiful and talented young man was a degenerate." (124)

Stanley tries to influence Stella to remain subservient to his male sexual dominance, while Blanche wants Stella to leave Stanley. Stanley wins the power play in the end as Stella chooses to remain slave-like, and Blanche is defeated figuratively through her leaving and literally through her rape. Williams exploits this power play to comment on possible change in the sexual ideology of women, showing how society (through Stanley) wins in the end and any new empowerment for women is doubtful because of this.
 * //5. Sexual power play in the story focuses on Blanche and Stanley’s veiled competition over Stella.//**
 * Support:**
 * //Stanley's constant criticism of Blanche, and insistence on her impurity// in his conversations with his wife. Stanley tries to bring Blanche's real side to the light, and forces Stella to have the same mindset as himself.
 * //Blanche's constant criticism of Stanley, and insistence that Stella leave him.// Blanche tries to remind Stella of her high-class roots, and is astounded that she has fallen for someone so common. She tries to veer Stella to leave her "abusive" wife with her horrible husband.
 * Quotes:**
 * Stella says, “What-contemptible-lies!” (120), when Stanley tells her what he has learned about Blanche. This shows a struggle; Stella is caught between the two sides.
 * Stanley says, “She pulled the wool over your eyes as much as Mitch’s” (120) to Stella when he is telling her about Blanche's real side.
 * __//Additional//__
 * Blanche says, “You haven’t heard any-unkind-gossip about me?” (91), suspecting that Stanley has been spreading rumours, i.e. the "truth" about herself. She is conscious about her image since she is afraid that her ability to convince her sister to leave Stanley will be lost when Stella discovers who her sister really is.


 * 6. //Conclusion - Recap//**
 * Stanley's overpowering sexuality in the novel.
 * Stella's control by Stanley's sexuality; and inability to show her own.
 * Blanche's overpowering sense/need to show her sexuality, to obtain sexual gratification.
 * The oppression of gays' sexuality in the novel.
 * Sexual Power Play in the novel which highlights Blanche and Stanley's "battle" over Stella. Blanche tries to free her, Stanley tries to cage her.


 * LAST SENTENCE:** Williams comments on society’s view of sexuality, which puts the power in straight men’s hands, thus, diminishing women’s ability to express their sexuality.

=__Reality is Brutal and destroys sensitivity__= __Question 5- “In //A Streetrcar Named Desire,// Williams shows that brutal reality will always destroy sensitivity and hope.” Discuss__

Briefly discuss how Stanley represent brutal reality while Blanche represents sensitivity, hope and fantasy. Everything is a big game. Thesis: Stanley’s brutal truth is victorious over Blanche’s world of sensitivity and hope but this reality does not destroy her world as she makes a dignified departure.
 * Intro**

Evidence for Stanley representing the ‘brutal reality’ -He likes light and detests Blanche putting up the paper lanterns. Light is reality and the paper lanterns block or fog reality -Many of his stage directions are violent and forceful -Described wearing bright solid colours -represents a violent part of the society [hitting Stella, breaking the radio, breaking the dishes] -Sex! and actions more so than words -low vocab -common name -Male QUOTES Scene 3 pg 50 “[//A chair scrapes.// //Stanley// //gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.//]” Scene 8 pg 131 “[//He hurls a plate to the floor.//] That’s how I’ll clear the table! [//He seizes her arm.//] Don’t ever talk that way to me!... [//He hurls a cup an saucer to the floor.//]” Scene 9 pg 144 “MITCH: This one with the paper thing on it. [//He tears the paper lantern off the light bulb. She utters a frightened gasp.//]… BLANCHE: Of course you don’t really mean to be insulting! MITCH: No, just realistic.” Scene 10 pg 153 “You come in here and sprinkle the place with powder and spray perfume and cover the light bulb with paper lanterns, and lo and behold the place is turned Egypt and you are the queen of the Nile!”
 * Paragraph 1**

Evidence for Blanche<3 representing the ‘sensitivity and hope’ -Doesn’t like light, wants a lantern put over it -Sensitive about her looks and age -Wears softer and elegant colours/ clothes “like a moth” -detests the violence -Expects courtesy -Has ideals for love (though appears later to not have followed them, yet she manages to pretends it doesn’t happen by creating this hopeful world) -More articulate and poetic/ larger vocabulary/ educated and high born -Fancy French name -Female QUOTES Scene 1 pg 5 “[//...Blanche comes around the corner… There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes, that suggests a moth//] Scene 3 pg 60 “I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.” Scene 3 pg 50 “Please don’t get up.”
 * Paragraph 2**

The play is all a metaphor of a game -Originally called the poker night -the scene Poker Night is said to represents the play as well as ending the play “The game is 7 card stud” -Poker is a measure of how Stanley is doing in the game against Blanche -Poker moves plot- Blanche trying to get Stella to leave Stanley -Contrasts the males and females in the play therefore Blanche and Stanley
 * Paragraph 3**

Competition is to win desire to win Stella and Mitch + It is made explicit that Stella had conformed to Stanley’s way of life after marriage, and his complaints vs. Blanche’s continuing efforts is a conflict in the play + Mitch was being won over by Blanche, but Stanley intervenes by telling him the rumors + Stanley wants a romantic relationship with Stella, and Blanche wants a romantic relationship with Mitch; They both spend the majority of the play trying to disturb the other QUOTE Scene 7 pg 126 “You’re goddamn right I told him! I’d have that on my conscience the rest of my life if I knew all that stuff and let my best friend get caught!” Scene 8 pg 137 “Wasn’t it all okay? Till she showed here. Hoity-toity, describing me as an ape.”
 * Paragraph 4**

How the game progresses + Blanche is losing the game (the dump, the rape and the asylum) + Stanley is winning, his change of luck in the last game- in the last scene he fondles Stella…ewww + Blanche loses Mitch while Stanley gets Stella back + Mitch tries to defeat Stanley but completely fails +It //seems// that brutal reality defeats sensitivity and hope…or does it! QUOTE Scene 9 pg 150 “I don’t think I want to marry you anymore.” Scene 11 page 163 “Drew to an inside straight and made it, by God.”
 * Paragraph 5**

The Counter Point ITS NOT DESTORYED! + Blanche’s Dignified exit = she is comfy with the doctor = She ignores Stella’s calls(no longer dependent on Stella or Mitch[ as she doesn’t acknowledge Mitch]) + Her fantasies are now her true reality QUOTES Scene 11 pg 178 “[//Holding tight to his arm//] Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Scene 11 pg 178 “[//Blanche walks on without turning//]”
 * Paragraph 6**

Though the game is won by Stanley and his ‘brutal reality’, the sensitivity and hope Blanche represents is not destroyed.
 * Let us conclude…**

= Dishonesty or illusion? = = = Prompt: “Although Williams exposes Blanche for her self-deception and dishonesty, he is nevertheless sympathetic to her need for illusion and escape.” Discuss. > __Paragraph 1: Introduction__ > Thesis: Analyzing the method in which Williams develops the audiences’ understanding of and sympathy for Blanche’s character, the treatment Blanche receives from other characters and the subsequent way in which Williams present these other characters shows his sympathy for Blanche. > > __Paragraph 2__ > [Development of Character] > · The motifs and symbols presented by Williams associate Blanche with purity and fragility. This depiction of a weak character helps to provide sympathy for Blanche as she relates the hardships she has suffered. > · Blanche’s dependence on alcohol and the retreats she makes into her fantasies shows the depravity of her state. > o She goes into her fantasy world more often as the play progresses, showing how she suffers over the course of the play and thus arousing sympathy. > · Similarly, her need for approval which is present throughout the play show a weakness which may help to draw sympathy for the character. > __Quotations:__ > "She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat" pg. 5 > "Her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light." pg. 5 > "You haven't said a word about my appearance." pg. 14 > Referring to Shep Huntleigh: "Why-set us up in a- shop!" pg. 76 > > __Paragraph 3__ > [Effects before Causes] > · The way in which Williams develops the plot of the play creates sympathy in the audience and therefore shows that William is sympathetic with Blanche. > · In the first scenes Williams show a Blanche who has been affected by traumatic events, but does not provide the causes for her trauma. > · As the play proceeds, Williams uses Blanche’s monologues and Stanley’s attempts to delve into her past to reveal the causes for Blanche’s fragility. > o In this way Williams seems to justify Blanche’s paranoia, alcoholism, and need for illusions > · In the final scene, Williams gives a new cause (as opposed to the previous causes which all occurred in her past) for the audience to sympathize with Blanche’s situation and excuse her retreat into her fantasy world. > > __Paragraph 4__ > [Treatment from other Characters] > · Stanley consistently throughout the play ridicules Blanche and her lifestyle, which initially creates sympathy for him, as she seems unduly haughty and overprivileged. > o (This changes over the course of the play, as described in paragraph 5) > · Stella initially tries to defend her sister, but as the play progresses agrees more and more with Stanley. > o This continues into the final scene, when Stella has reached the point where she doesn’t even believe that Blanche has been raped by Stanley. > __Quotations:__ > "And you run out...and serve 'em to Her Majesty in the tub?" pg.118 > "I don't know any [jokes] refined enough for your taste." pg.129 > "...Blanche is sensitive an you've got to realize that Blanche and I grew up under very different circumstances than you did." pg.118 > "I couldn't believe her story and go on living with Stanley." pg.165 > > __Paragraph 5__ > [Portrayal of other Characters] > · The animal sounds and lurid colors which accompany Stanley contribute to his powerful, beastly imagery which culminates in the animal act of the rape of Blanche. This is what ultimately demonizes him in the view of the audience and consequently lends sympathy to Blanche. > · With Stella’s decision to stay with Stanley, both after being hit and after the accused rape, the audience loses sympathy for her as she in effect accepts the actions of her husband and shows herself to be weak. > · Thus, as Williams removes sympathy for the other characters in the play, the sympathy which the audience feels for Blanche is further highlighted. > > __Paragraph 6: Conclusion__ > · Restate thesis > · Last Sentence: By developing Blanche's character in the way that he does, Williams ridicules the new age persona and reveals his mourning for what he sees as the loss of the old Southern manners.

=Desire and death= “//A Streetcar Named Desire//, may be summed up as what Williams vies to be the basic rhythm of physical existence: desire and death.” Discuss

· **Introduction** o Williams’ life was heavy set in death and desire § Born in the South, but was forced to move North for his father’s occupation § Sister Rose’s fall to mental illness that Williams attributed to his own success (guiltily) § Met his partner of 14 years, Frank Merlo early in the year Streetcar was written (desire) o Thesis: In __A Streetcar Named Desire__ death and desire are frequently and consistently interwoven on many levels. Literally, death leads to desire and vice versa; metaphysically, Williams explores the death of the old south and cherished illusions. · **Literal Deaths** o Death of Blanche’s husband followed by the death of her family and loosing Belle Reve drives her to soldiers, the flamingo, school boy. § BLANCHE: Death—I used to sit here and she used to sit over there and death was as close as you are… The opposite is desire…Not far from Belle Reve, before we had lost Belle Reve, was a camp where they trained young soldiers. (148-9) o Blanche is driven to desire due to death. · **Illusions** o Blanche’s own deaths and desires. § Paper lantern · BLANCHE: I never was hard or self-sufficient enough. 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 a—paper lantern over the light… It isn’t enough to be soft…” o The light makes Blanche aware of her approaching death and old age, the paper lantern is therefore an illusion she uses to hide her age. o Blanche’s death and desires of Stella § Poker Night · Blanche’s view of Stanley after the ‘Poker Night’ scene shows the illusions that she lives under. Unlike Stella, Blanche believes that the relationship between Stella should end instead of them giving into desire. o BLANCHE: What such a man has to offer is animal force and he gave a wonderful exhibition of that! But the only way to live with such a man is to—go to bed with him! (79) § “Stella, Stella for Star” Only in the beginning of the play, she ceases to do so by the end. · This shows that to Blanche, “Stella for Star” has ceased to exist. · **Old South** o Courtesy § Men don’t stand in scene three · If they men are taken to represent new society, this could be Williams’ way of representing the death of old customs. § Men stand is final scene · A last fleeting show of respect, as they see Blanche has lost, and they pity her. o Battle between Blanche and Stanley, who can be seen to represent different parts of society. § At first Blanche is winning the battle, but slowly Blanche begins to loose to Stanley, as he reveals the truth about her, breaking her illusions. We see this first when Stella § BLANCHE: There are thousands of papers, stretching back over hundreds of years, affecting Belle Reve as, piece by piece, our improvident grandfathers and father and uncles and brothers exchanged the land for their epic fornications—to put it plainly! . . . The four-letter word deprived us of our plantation, till finally all that was left—and Stella can verify that!—was the house itself and about twenty acres of ground, including a graveyard, to which now all but Stella and I have retreated. · Here Blanche explains how the desires of her forefathers have lead to the death of the entire family, excluding Blanche and Stella. · **Symbols** · Is an example of desire because of the way she handles herself while wearing the robe and because of the colour itself. Red is seen as a colour which carries connotations of sexuality. · **Conclusion** o Concluding sentence: Williams emphasises the rhythm of death and desire he felt was present in life within Streetcar; he used this rhythm to drive forward the other themes such as illusions and the death of the Old South.
 * Streetcar Desire
 * “What you are talking about is brutal desire—just—Desire!—the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter, up one narrow street and down another…” (81)
 * The title of the play and the streetcar both show how intertwined desire is with the plot of the play.
 * Blanche’s red robe
 * BLANCHE: Oh, I don’t think so; it always makes me warmer. Have you got any cigs? [She has slipped on the dark red satin wrapper.] (57)

=**Is Blanche the moral victor?**=
 * Blanche is far from perfect, but by the play’s end she is Williams’ undisputed moral victor; Blanche is more worthy than the rest of them. Discuss.**

- Explain how Blanche is ‘imperfect’ – seduction of young men, alcoholism, vanity, compulsive liar - How then does Williams make her the moral victor? - 1) impact of rape 2) comparison with other characters 3) staging of the final scene 4) plot structure: how her past is revealed 5) symbols of purity
 * Paragraph 1 – Intro:**


 * Thesis:** //Blanche emerges as the moral victor; she gains the sympathy of the audience through the plot, appears to stand on higher ground compared to the other characters in the final scene, and is symbolically portrayed as pure, especially in the end.//<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 新細明體">

- after scene 10, audience is compelled to feel sympathy for Blanche no matter what because of her rape by Stanley o Stanley rapes her while Stella’s in the hospital giving birth § “Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house!” Stanley (p. 162) § “We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning!” Stanley (p.162) o He rapes her while she’s unconscious § “//He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed.”//(p. 162)
 * Paragraph 2 - Impact of Rape:**

- other characters start off on higher ground, but their flaws are revealed as the play progresses or the audience sees them in a different light o Stella appears to be more calm and less prejudiced than her sister § “You’ll get along fine together, if you’ll just try not to – well – compare him with men that we went out with at home.” Stella (p. 17) - Blanche, in contrast, starts off on lower moral ground because of her imperfections, but then the reasons for her problems are revealed through her past, which gains her sympathy o in the beginning of the play, Blanche is portrayed as annoying and snobbish § “Yes. [//Wanting to get rid of her//] Thanks for letting me in. Blanche (p. 8)
 * Paragraph 3 – Plot Structure:**

- everybody has betrayed, raped, or turned their back on her in the end. o Audience feels sympathetic/pity towards her - She seems morally higher ground in relation to the other characters o Dislike for other characters makes audience place her on higher moral ground o Juxtaposition between her and Stanley - Staging: walking with her dignity while others are standing but huddled o even though she has suffered, she still retains some sense of dignity while others are guilt ridden § “//The poker players stand awkwardly at the table”// (p. 173) § “//The poker players stand back as Blanche and the doctor cross the kitchen to the front door.”// (p. 178) § “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Blanche (p. 178)
 * Paragraph 4 – Comparison with other characters:**

- throughout the play, symbolically “pure” o star sign is Virgo o referred to as a lily – “purity of the Virgin amidst the sins of the world” - spiritual rebirth in the end shown through symbolism and costuming o staging – lighting, “tragic radiance” akin to that of the Blessed Virgin’s [pg.166] o symbolism § exchanges her red satin robe for a blue Della Robbia dress, the color of the Virgin Mary’s clothes (p. 169) – “ This change of costume from red satin to blue, at the end of the play, obliges us to see Blanche as casting off her sensual side in favour of a new innocence, with strong implications of spiritual rebirth.” (Henry I. Schvey) § holding a spotless silver mirror, another symbol of the Virgin’s purity “//the silverbacked mirror in her hand and a look of sorrowful perplexity as though all human experience shows on her face.//” (p. 167)
 * Paragraph 5 – Symbolism of purity:**

- It is debatable whether Blanche did end up as the moral victor of the play. u Her higher moral standing is mainly a result through comparison with the other characters in the play. u She might not actually be morally pure, but only because the others are even more morally corrupted. - Even if her moral victory is debatable, this still illustrates how the symbolism within the play was able to reveal details that the dialogue and stage directions were not able to. u Biblical allusions show Blanche’s purity
 * Paragraph 6 – Conclusion:**

Works Cited: Harold Bloom, ed., "Madonna at the Poker Night: Pictorial Elements in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire" Schvey, Henry I., __Tennessee Williams''s a Streetcar Named Desire__ (New York: Chelsea House, 1988) 103, __Questia__, 13 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.questiaschool.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=98110144>.]

“The central conflict in A Streetcar Named Desire is between the energies of the primitive and the decadence of high cultivations.”
Intro: Thesis: The central conflict within A Streetcar Named Desire, is the battle between the new money-making ideals embodied by Stanley’s bestial character and the old genteel Southern society epitomized by Blanche’s sophistication and opulence. This battle is shown in the form of character, plot and symbolism.

1st Body Paragraph: Blanche and Stanley’s characters come into conflict because they epitomize the ideals of “high” and “low” culture respectively.

- Southern genteel society vs new, immigrants, money making (lower class) - Stanley: sloppy, crude, lack of manners, impolite, violent, realist, uncouth - Blanche: proper (at least a façade of propriety), sophisticated, expecting manners from men, fishing for compliments, dancing, association with millionaires (Shep Huntleigh), Belle Reve, speaking French, knowledge of literature Stanley

Scene Three: p. 47 Stanley: When I’m losing you want to eat! Ante up! Openers? Openers! Get y’r ass off the table, Mitch. Nothing belongs on a poker table but cards, chips and whiskey. [He lurches up and tosses some watermelon rinds to the floor.] p. 50 Stella: Couldn’t you call it quits after one more hand? [A chair scrapes. Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.]

Blanche

Scene Two: p. 38 Blanche: Would you think it possible that I was once considered to be- attractive? Stanley: Your looks are alright. Blanche: I was fishing for a compliment, Stanley.

Scene Four: p. 76 Blanche: You’ve heard of oil-wells? Stella: Yes- remotely. Blanche: He has them, all over Texas. Texas is literally spouting gold in his pockets.

2nd Paragraph: The plot structure of the play brings Stanley and Blanche into conflict as they each struggle to win over Stella’s affections.

- Loss of Bell Reve - Sexual tension between Stanley and Blanche (eventual rape) - Stella ends up agreeing to send Blanche to an asylum - Implications of Stanley’s triumph over Blanche

Scene Nine: p. 146-147 Blanche’s monologue about how Belle Reve was lost.

Scene Ten: p. 162 Stanley: Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house! [He springs toward her, overturning the table. She cries out and strikes at him with the bottle top but he catches her wrist.] Tiger-tiger! Drop the bottle-top! Drop it! We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning! [She moans. The bottle-top falls. She sinks to her knees. He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed. The hot trumpet and drums from the Four Deuces sound loudly.]

Scene Eleven: p. 178 Stella: Blanche! Blanche! Blanche! [Blanche walks on without turning, followed by the Doctor and the Matron. They go around the corner of the building.] [Eunice descends to Stella and places the child in her arms. It is wrapped in a pale blue blanket. Stella accepts the child, sobbingly.]

3rd Paragraph: Williams also uses symbolism and imagery to show the stark contrast between Stanley’s primitive nature and Blanche’s refinement.

Stanley: - Throwing the meat - Hands being unclean - Poker game

Scene One: p. 4 Stanley: Catch! Stella: What? Stanley: Meat! [He heaves the package at her. She cries out in protest but manages to catch it: then she laughs breathlessly. Her husband and his companion have already started back around the corner.]

Scene Eight: p. 131 Stella: Your face and your fingers are disgustingly greasy. Go and wash up and then help me clear the table. [He hurls a plate to the floor]

Blanche: - Fixation on cleanliness (baths: washing away of sins) - Paper lantern (delicate, idealistic) - Imagery: Lady Madonna - Opulent clothes and accessories (satin robe)

Scene Two: p. 36 [Stella goes out to the porch. Blanche comes out of the bathroom in a red satin robe.]

Scene Three: p. 53 [She takes off the blouse and stands in her pink silk brassiere and white skirt in the light through the portieres. The game has continued in undertones.]

Scene Seven: p. 117 Stella: In the bathroom. Stanley: “Washing out some things?” Stella: I reckon so.

Scene Nine: p. 144 Blanche [fearfully]: Light? Which light? What for? Mitch: This one with the paper thing on it. [ He tears the paper lantern off the light bulb. She utters a frightened gasp

Conclusion:

Finally, the fact that Williams has Stanley emerge victorious perhaps alludes to the eventual dominance of the new society over the old, which - by creating sympathy for Blanche - also conveys the pity of such circumstances.