They told me to take a streetcar named Desire and then transfer to one called cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at Elysian Fields.

Transcription

1 Scene 1 Blanche goes to her sister s house, Stella. They told me to take a streetcar named Desire and then transfer to one called cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at Elysian Fields. [Page 3] This is a significant part of Blanche s journey as it is symbolic of her fate. The streetcar named Desire shows that Blanche would like to go to her Desires however [transferring] to one called Cemeteries suggests that it is because of her Desires that results in her unfortunate fate. We then find out Blanche has problems with alcohol. She pours a half a tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down [Page 5] These stage directions prove that she has no trouble downing the alcohol, therefore showing that she is very fond of alcohol. Blanche then breaks the news to Stella that she has lost Belle Reve, a family plantation. Blanche: the loss the loss Stella: Belle Reve? Lost, is it? NO! [Page 11] The meaning of Belle Reve is beautiful dream, therefore this symbolises that there is no hope for Blanche and just as she lost the plantation, so too has she lost her own dreams. We also find out that Blanche has a deceased husband. The boy the boy he died. [Page 15] This is a critical piece of information about Blanche s past that contributes to her final breakdown. Scene 2 Stanley abrupt and arrogant She didn t show you no papers, no deed of sale or nothing like that huh? While Stella is telling Stanley about the stress and grief her sister has been put under he shows no signs of sympathy and shows interest in only what he can benefit from. He also goes on to talk about the Napoleonic Code; he is very arrogant when stating that he is due all the money from the loss of the plantation. This code however doesn t actually apply in the state of Mississippi which means he was wrong and further proves his abrupt arrogance and lack of education. Blanche Bathes

2 Here I am all freshly bathed and scented, and feeling like a brand new human being! Blanche bathes frequently throughout the play and this symbolises her washing off her sins. She feels guilty for the death of her husband and how deceiving she has been, and she also regrets the number of men she has slept with, she feels dirty and sinful so she bathes to wash those sins she has committed off. Blanche flirts with Stanley May I have a drag on you cig? Blanche is very flirty with Stanley throughout the beginning of the play. The cigarette is used as a phallic symbol. Blanche talks about her dead husband I hurt him the way you would like to hurt me Blanch tells Stanley about her dead husband at the end of the first scene. She is shown to feel very guilty about the death of her husband. She feels she was the ultimate cause of him killing himself. Scene 3 Blanche shows interest in Mitch. That one seems superior to the others. [Page 30] Blanche s flirty nature shows here as she instantly creates an opinion of Mitch that he is better than the other men that are there at the poker night. Conflict between Stanley and Blanche. Starts to arise in scene 3. Blanche s hatred for the light. I can t stand a naked light bulb any more I can a rude remarks or a vulgar action. [Page 34] This is the first indication that Blanche has something against the light something against being exposed to other people, literally and metaphorically. Stanley hits Stella.

3 You lay yours hands on me and I ll [Page 35] Stanley s violent side is revealed here. We now see the bigger picture of Stanley and realise that he is capable of hurting anyone, including the woman he loves. Stella forgives Stanley. Then they come together with low, animal moans. [Page 38] This proves that Stella will always go back to Stanley no matter what he does. Also highlights the animalistic side to Stanley. Scene 4 Stella still defends Stanley When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen This tells us that no matter how awful Stanley is to Stella, she will defend his actions as she depends on him greatly. Blanche is disgusted by Stanley I ll take to the streets Blanche is mortified by Stanley and tells him she would rather sell herself than rely on him for any financial support. Scene 5 The symbolism of Blanche trying to convey that she is innocent. Put on soft colours, the colours of butterfly wings, and glow.... Right on my pretty white skirt. [Page 53/54] The soft colours and white colour proves that Blanche is trying to portray as innocent and pure image of herself, which we know is not true. The butterfly wings also represent the fact that Blanche is described as a moth, meaning that she is attracted to the things that will ultimately destroy her. Blanche talks about the paper lanterns. Put a paper lantern over the light. [Page 53] This is important as it s symbolic of Blanche trying to hide behind her fantasy. She also uses the dark to hide behind, therefore a connection can be made between the dark than conceals her fantasy and the light that exposes her reality.

4 Blanche believes that Mitch will be her saviour. I want to deceive him enough to make him want me. This highlights the theme of women s reliance on men. She wants Mitch to save her from her financial troubles and from herself. She believes that he could wash away all her sins. Scene 6 Blanche asks Mitch to sleep with her voulez vous coucher avec moi She asks Mitch to sleep with her and she does this after she clarifies that he cannot speak French. This brings her promiscuous side to light while still keeping Mitch in the dark and still appearing to be virginal and innocent. In scene 6 Blanche revels to Mitch that her husband was gay and killed himself, she tells Mitch this because she feels he will be her saviour. She trusts him so she opens up to him, revealing what she feels to be her biggest sin of all to him. Scene 7 Blanche sings a song aimed towards Mitch. Say, it s only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea but it wouldn t be make-believe if you believed in me. [Page 70] This is practically stating that if Mitch believed in the fantasy that Blanche has created, she would be able to live in it forever. She knows Mitch would be able to give her the life she wanted where she wouldn t have to pretend and he would wash away all her sins. This is dramatic irony as the audience know something that Blanche doesn t. Stanley has probably told Mitch, therefore he won t be Blanche s saviour as he knows about all the lies. Stanley reveals all of Blanche s lies to Stella. She pulled the wool over your eyes as much as Mitch s. [Page 71] This proves that Stanley has fully discovered who Blanche really is. At this point Stanley become unpredictable as he has all this evidence built up against Blanche, which fuels his dislike towards her. We learn that Blanche is promiscuous and that she has a fling with a pupil at the school she used to work at. A seventeen-year-old boy she d gotten mixed up with! [Page 72] This isn t a surprise as she already kissed the paper boy, so we know what type of person Blanche is. This emphasises Blanche s sexual desires and her flirty nature.

5 Stanley has no sympathy for Blanche and he rushes her out of the bath. Get OUT of the bathroom! [Page 75] We already know that Blanche bathes in order cleanse herself of her sins, so this is symbolic as Stanley is stopping her. This proves that Stanley has completely figured out who Blanche is, so she can no longer cleanse or hide her sins from him. Scene 8 Stella goes into labour Scene 9 Mitch appears to see Blanche. You ve stopped that polka tune that I had caught in my head. [Page 84] This symbolises how Mitch would have saved her from her past sins and guilt of her husband s death, which the polka represents. This therefore shows how Mitch would have been able to keep her mentally stable if he continued to believe in her fantasy. Mitch turns on the light to reveal Blanche. Let s turn the light on in here. [Page 86] Blanche would originally use the dark to make people believe in her fantasy, but now Mitch has exposed her to light. He finally see s all the lies and is now revealing who she is symbolism. The Mexican woman appears on the street trying to sell flowers. She is a blind Mexican women in a dark shawl, carrying bunches of those gaudy tin flowers that lower-class Mexicans display at funerals. This is a representation of Blanche s demise as the flowers are suppose to be displayed at funerals. Mitch doesn t want to marry Blanche. I don t think I want to marry you anymore. [Page 89]

6 Mitch can no longer be Blanche s saviour. He has lost all interest because of the lies that she told Scene 10 Stanley rapes Blanche We ve had this date with each other from the beginning This shows us that Stanley has ultimately broken Blanch down both mentally, and now physically. Through the course of the play we slowly see him unravelling Blanche s lies and turning those who loved her against her, isolating her. Now he has raped her, this is his final act of dominance and is what ultimately destroys Blanche s remaining sense of reality and mental stability. Scene 11 Blanche bathes. Sound of water can be heard running in the bathroom. [Page 98] Before Blanche would bathe in order to get rid of her sins, but now she is bathing in order to cleanse herself of Stanley. The poker game. Poker is a game that is played throughout the play. This is very symbolic as it is a game of lies a deceit which therefore connects to Blanche, who created a fantasy full of lies and deceit. Stella continuing to be with Stanley. I couldn t believe her story and go on living with Stanley. [Page 99] It is evident that the theme of women s reliance of men plays a big factor here. Stella has just had her baby and now needs Stanley to support her both physically and mentally. Therefore she chooses to ignore the fact that Stanley raped Blanche, in order to stay with Stanley. Blanche reacting to the doctor at the door. Lurid reflections appear on the walls in odd, sinuous shapes. [Page 104] These stage directions mirror those that were used when Blanche was about to be raped. We can tell from this that Blanche is scared and panicking.

7 Blanche fully being exposed for who she is during this moment of terror for her. Seizes the paper lantern, tearing it off the light-bulb.... She cries out as if the lantern was herself. [Page 105] We know she used the dark to hide her blemishes and her reality literally and metaphorically. Exposing her to the light signifies her final defeat as she no longer as the dark or her fantasy to hide in. The rape has completely destroyed her. The doctor finally getting through to Blanche. He takes off his hat and now becomes personalised. The inhuman quality goes.... The lurid reflections fade from the walls.... Blanche: whoever you are I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. [Page 106 /107] This highlights women s reliance of men as Blanche begins to rely on the doctor as soon as she relies that he is just a man. The fact she relies on strangers for kindness is ironic as no one has showed her kindness so far Key quote.