Not now! Blanche lies and tells Stanley that Mitch came by looking for forgiveness. Stella follows Stanley out after Eunice tells Stella to tell Steve to get a poor boys sandwich. Stanley asks Blanche if she knows a fellow named Shaw. The nurse and doctor restrain Blanche ("These fingernails need to be trimmed,") and she soon calms down and leaves willingly, telling them that "whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." 35. 2. Blanche panics and tries to telephone for help ("Operator, operator, give me long distance") and even threatens Stanley with a broken glass, but he overpowers her and rapes her on the bed.Sometime later, Eunice and Stella tend to Blanche, who has suffered a complete mental breakdown ("I'll wear the cool yellow silk.") 3rd May 2017 by Aimee Wright If you have not read through Scene 1, Scene 2 or Scene 3, or wish to reread, do that now! Blanche tells Stanley that Mitch came to see her that night. Huge Essay SampleCheck Writing Quality Stanley Kowalski's Violence in A Streetcar Named Desire Beating your wife was considered "family matters" and many people ignored this huge issue. Tennessee Williams demonstrates societys need for the superiority of men to women through the interactions of Stanley and Blanche in the play, their struggles, and their ultimate, Stella is a prime example for this case as she constantly shifts her loyalty between Blanche and Stanley throughout the play. Shep Huntleigh will manifest as Blanches chance of escape from the rough life of New Orleans back into the privileged life that she once lived. Stanley asks Blanche if she knows a fellow named Shaw. Blanche walks out of the bathroom and wonders if there is a call waiting for her. Gx^xVgxZxR'x\Bwqw I stayed at a hotel called The Tarantula Arms! (146), Blanche admits to having slept with many strangers after Allens death including one with her 17 year old student, A blind Mexican woman called selling Flores. He opens Blanche's trunks, revealing her expensive clothing and pricey jewelry, declaring that he will have the items appraised. It is now mid-September and Blanche's birthday. Blanche says she knows of the Flamingo by reputation and would not set foot in it, but the accusation has been made. Blanche calls the Southern Comfort sweet and Mitch said that Stanley had complained about Blanche lapping up his liquor all summer like a wild cat, Blanche asks Mitch Whats in your mind? The scene ends with a hot tamale vendor shouting Red-hot!. While Stella and Eunice help Blanche get dressed, Blanche shares her desire to die at sea after eating unwashed grapes and be buried in a white sack. Stella encourages Blanche, saying her wishes about Mitch will come true. Stanley complains about Blanche hogging the bathroom and tells Stella what hes found out about Blanche by asking around, including her stay at the Hotel Flamingo and the devious occurrences there before Blanche was required to turn in her key. Stanley throws Stella a package of meat and leaves to go bowling. <> Vous ne comprenez pas? She has a desperate desire to attract Mitch because she wants to rely on someone who can relieve her of the pressures of life. alcohol according to stanley, was he a good student or no? Scene 2. . What invitation does she say he extended? h!MIIn-JT4&"n/YH5fuan7A_"r&n?VigT UA Q p__F9\z&h9|X|>8J'dwb!='JE1^HN^.,/^M? -}R-LkxL-}j.3mY ?`=E.t9'&/ 8 I believe this because it proved how sexually driven and aggressive Stanley was which almost had a foreshadowing affect on the end relationship between Blanche and Stanley. When Stanley rapes Blanche, it proves to be the final push to tip Blanche into the pits of insanity. Stanley enters the scene and Blanche keeps a tally of phrases that she has not heard before. They become opponents the same as those two groups clashed with each other in the first half of the 20th century. In reality, Stanley is quite abusive towards Stella. Stella accidentally spills coke on Blanches white dress, but the coke did not stain the dress. I can see something in your eye. (143). In contrast, Blanche, besides conducting her conversation subtly and indirectly, also enjoys refinement such as art, poetry, and music (83). Mitch asks Blanche to turn of the fan and she complies. Dumbfounded, the man leaves. The opening of the third scene shows the men playing poker around the kitchen table. Scene 1: STANLEY: You were married once, weren't you? Mitch explains that a girl who passed away gave it to him when they were young. Stanley returns, explaining that Stella has not yet delivered the baby, and though he offers to "bury the hatchet" with Blanche, he scorns her odd attire and her many lies about her life ("Take a look at yourself.") endobj Shep = her symbol of escape from their world. "), and Mitch explains that his elderly mother is desperate to see him settle down and marry before she dies ("I'm not a boy, she says"). The play was first produced in New York and Boston in 1947. When Stanley throws the meat towards Stella, she cries out in protest but manages to catch it: then laughs breathlessly. (page 4). Stanley knows Blanche is an alcoholic from the start, claiming that some people rarely touch it (liquor) but it often touches them. (26). Stanley goes out to smoke while Stella cries and Blanche asks what Stanley told Stella while Blanche was in the bathroom. Blanche also reveals that her sign is Virgo. He is not sensitive enough to care about the well-being of those around him. Throughout the play A Streetcar Named Desire the author; Tennessee Williams illustrates the main characters, Stanley, Stella, Mitch and Blanche with these stereotypes. Blanche says, "I've got to be goodand keep my hands off children," which implies that she may not have succeeded in doing so in the past. lJnQrO~&}%%A :c} :Zp`lqUkJK~)U%A-{z Stanley acts like he hasn't heard their convo. g?\BAxP]Gw.|n#B*nln|L}xN cp~}{$Le8rF$H)\Ev"OHbTh(A3Uc3`~(=(=^rje5N:u"Q3M`|v?9?pU)(x?!Y~c SJv|C+U9S4sF:wLGsnU^:/ifS)Bx`uYanjL]{)RgG L"! She shields the lamp with paper lanterns and sprays the house with perfume, both refinements intolerable to Stanley, who tears them down at the last, In A Streetcar Named Desire, there is an ongoing power struggle between Stanley and Blanche, which propels the narrative. It doesn't matter whether or not Blanche understands, because all that matters to Stella is her relationship with Stanley. Stanley and Stella interact Blanch arrives and talks with Stella (about losing Belle Reve) Stanley arrives and asks Blanche about her past life Click the card to flip 1 / 12 Blanche tells him yes, but the boy died; then, she leaves thinking that she is going to be sick. He realizes that he has never seen her in full light because she is trying to hide her appearance and true age ("It's dark in here"). The second part of Scene 5 delves deeper into Blanche's desires. endobj The cat that screeches is symbolic of Blanche as a character, because cats like the dark, are vicious, yet hide their true intentions. No! Stella tells Stanley that he is greasy and needs to wash up and help her clear the table and Stanley replies by hurling his dishes to the floor to clear the table (131). About A: STREETCAR NAMED DESIREBlanche DuBois, a woman whose fortunes have changed for the worse, comes to live with her sister Stella and her brother-in-law Stanley in New Orleans. 5. Steve speaks the last line of the play: this game is a seven-card stud (142). Stellas choice is symbolic of relationships which are made to conserve an individuals existence. Course Hero. The fact that Blanche notices Mitchs sensitivity is an indicator to Blanches own sensitivity. Once he has struck her, she runs down the stairs and screams for the police. and angrily confronts Blanche about the many rumors he has heard about her behavior. Blanche hides the bottle and quickly powders and perfumes herself before opening the door. When Mitch brings up the Hotel Flamingo, Blanche says Flamingo? Stanleys disdain towards Blanche only grows when Blanche refers to him as a goat. The first scene occurs in a street called Elysian Fields in New Orleans. Scene 5 opens with Blanche being amused about the way she has lied in a letter to Shep. This quote proves that Blanche is an over controlling. Here are other factors such as visual and audio ones, determining the audiences decision about who they would like more. This journey represents Blanches transition from her old life to her new one. Stanley enters and lets Blanche know that Stellas baby will not arrive before morning. Fire! However, Stanley chooses to keep quiet about this for now. Past and present are intertwined in A Streetcar Named Desire through Blanche and Stanley; Blanche represents the past: the Old South, aristocracy, and former sensitivity, while Stanley represents the present: the New South, the industrial class, and modern straightforwardness. However, Blanche does not wish to be examined under the direct light. The young, innocent salesman who stops by obviously attracts Blanche. Upset, Stella refuses to believe him. endobj He is in control of his house and all of his belongings once again. BLANCHE: The boy--the boy died. [He has crossed to the closet and removed the whiskey bottle.] What does Blanche realize that she shouldn't have done? Several weeks have passed by when this scene opens. And I am the king around here, so dont forget it! (131) - demonstrates Stanleys brutish nature and need for superiority, but also how Blanches proximity has caused his life to worsen, Blue piano - reflects sadness / estrangement, You didnt know Blanche as a girl. What does she tell him the reason was? Since in the script there are only words, the readers attention is totally to the meaning of those words, so the content of the story becomes the main indicator of the characters sympathy. 2018-10-13T12:26:42-07:00 xf&Fn}= Then, Blanche hides in the bedroom as Stanley and his friends arrive. The two opposing forces in a streetcar named desire are Light and Darkness. Blanche views this deception as vital to attracting Mitch, although there is no proof that her assessment is accurate. She is more in tune with the emotions of weaker individuals because she can relate. Scene Four - Analysis: Blanche is the outsider --> she doesn't understand either of them. - Stella lights the candles on Blanche's cake, she is joined by Stanley. This act cements the animalistic nature of their relationship. Even though Blanche tells Stella in a hysteric manner that Blanche will stay with Mitch, she immediately contradicts herself with her affair with the young man. She desires to escape by seeking out the company of Shep Huntleigh, an old friend of hers who is currently rich from the profits of oil drills. After being their for a while Blanche starts remembering her horrible past which is something she was trying to do in the first place. What does he reveal about Blanche? Stanley leaves. [He holds the bottle to the light to observe its depletion.] Blanche breaks out in laughter at the untruthfulness of the letter she has just finished writing to Shep Huntleigh, prompting Stella to ask her about the letter's contents. This shows the Brute vs. The husband of Stella, Stanley Kowalski was also someone that made Blanches life miserable for complicating everything and harassing her in every possible way. Blanche goes into Stella's apartment to wait for her to come home. Scene Seven 1. When the sisters are alone, Blanche shares her thoughts on Mitch. A Streetcar Named Desire is a story about a women with mental health issues, named Blanche Dubois. Stella leaves to join Stanley. At two a.m., Blanche and Mitch return from the fair, Blanche tells Mitch that she thinks Stanley hates her, Blanche deflects attention away from herself when Mitch asks her for her age, Blanche reveals that a young boy died when she was young, UsesMitch's ill mother to forge a connection, Makes herself vulnerable so that Mitch may comfort her, Blanche's speaking in French reveals her true self beneath her thin veneer of civilization, French sounds beautiful, but Blanche uses it to disguise her dark nature, Blanche wants to use Mitch to get out of Stella's house because of her poor relationship with Stanley, Mitch's caring for his ill mother characterizes him as sensitive. (She sinks back down) I'm afraid I'm-going to be sick! 20 June 2023. Blanche tells her own story about a preacher and his cursing parrot which fails to amuse Stella and Stanley. Course Hero. Blanche asks Stella for a shot in her coke and starts to get hysterical as she claims that she will leave. Stanley asks Blanche if she knows a fellow named Shaw. The imagery Lurid reflections appear on the walls in odd, sinuous shapes highlights her mental turbulence and the stage directions mysterious voices behind walls, as if reverberated through a canyon of rockthe echo sounds in threatening whispers heightens tension, positioning the audience to witness the overwhelming fear and exaggeration of her senses, further emphasising the detrimental impact Stellas decision made. application/pdf Even though Stella wishes Blanche could stay, Stella also fears that she could not go on living with Stanley if she decided to believe Blanches story about Stanley raping Blanche the night before Stellas baby was due. [226] Stanley's actions, it must be remembered, stem from several motivations. Both of these ends are tragic but their inevitable demise is only second to the constant onslaught of psychological trauma they must suffer through the traffic of the stage. Through this affair, Blanches true colors are revealed, as she has not changed from her time in the Hotel Flamingo. Blanche talks about dating Mitch and seems insecure about hiding her age. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The scene ends with Blanche feeling distraught after remember the death of "the boy" Analysis: Blanche admits that she misbehaved somewhat after the loss of Belle Reve. The fact that the negro woman was able to laugh for a long period of time even when Eunice told her to stop shows how intermingled the New Orleans community was in relation to the rest of America. What might these names represent? When he is calm, he is very thorough. When Stella returns at 2:30 in the morning with Blanche and suggests halting the game, Stanley gets up and whacks Stellas thigh. They become opponents the same as those two groups clashed with each other in the first half of the 20th century. This Shaw is an acquaintance of Stanley's, and he claims that he knew a loose woman who used to keep rooms at a hotel called the Flamingo in Laurel. This implies that the poker game, like the entire novel, was a particularly wild ride. Stanley snaps at being called a Polack and makes it clear that the name is derogatory and that he identifies as American. Blanche is also seen to be hiding her true self once more because in her letter she makes herself out to be more well off than in reality, mentioning things like most of my sisters friends go north in the summer but some have homes on the Gulf. (page 85). Stella does not believe the stories Stanley tells her and gives excuses for her sister. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. I found their relationship very affectionate throughout the movie where I did not picture this when reading the play. This is a biblical allusion, where the blind being lead and the blind doing the leading both fall. and tells her about their parents' deaths, revealing that she is destitute because "death is expensive. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana shortly after World War II, the play explores the plight of impoverished Southern gentry and the rapid changes of Southern society in the industrial age. Why does Mitch ask Blanche if she is out of her mind? His victory in the game is also a victory in his life, for he has finally proven victorious over Blanches superiority complex. Upload them to earn free Course Hero access! Blanche is paranoid that Stanley told Stella about her past and asks her what she knows. White Woods Whose mom is sick? Although Blanche denies this story, her frightened reaction confirms the truth of it. Who does she tell Stanley she heard from? Stanley reveals that he has also told Mitch the stories he has heard and that Stanley has already bought a bus ticket for Blanche. Fragile relationship, because the Brutes lead the Fragile. Eunice and Steve have been married longer than Stella and Stanley, Steve and Eunice show what Stella and Stanley could be in the future. The men hold Stanley under the shower while Stella and Blanche go to Eunices apartment. Stanley snaps and attacks her while calling the invitation fake. Stanley lets Stella know that he has learned some things about Blanche. Women at the time were treated as objects rather than people. Blanche chases the whiskey with water as opposed to coke and mentions that she has been fired from her school teacher. <>stream Blanche only wants to mix the coke in with her whisky to keep up the appearance that she is not an alcoholic. Women were supposed to take care of the situation by themselves or ignore it. died What items does Blanche say she'll have to burn once Stanley touches them? The play A Streetcar Named Desire is about an emotionally unstable lady named Blanche. <> Mitch desires to leave the game and return home to his sick mother, who cannot sleep without him. The loss in the game is a microcosm to the state of Stanleys life at this moment. Stanley blocks her path and the matron pins her down. There are thousands of papers"). She asks Mitch for a cigarette, and he takes this opportunity to show his cigarette case with an inscription on it to Blanche. Blanche calls him her "knight of the roses," coquettishly presses the flowers to her lips, and asks him to bow to her. Have study documents to share about A Streetcar Named Desire? <> Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Have a shot? ,+. Even though there are different ways Stanley and Blanche take control of other people they still do it in a familiar matter. The author purposefully writes Stanley losing in this scene. Steve comes out of his apartment and runs after his wife. Stanley's friends arrive for their men-only poker game, and Blanche and Stella return from an evening on the town, annoying Stanley with their raucous laughter. :9j: LV$NJuPdP While Blanche is looking for Sheps address, Stanley blocks the path to the phone. He has won many prestigious awards. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it! (pg ). Ah, what a pity! D/HE@#z*4Sd| v=F%#D=Dy=@#^*y7"]P(n1(Ht;mDBPk~r# w=uDv]E]I\A. Then Stella arrives and the sisters rejoice. After drinking some beer, Stanley changes into the silk pyjamas of his wedding night. 1). 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