A Streetcar Named Desire

What did Blanche do for a living? 

English teacher

What famous author does Blanche refer to when describing he building where her sister now lives?  What does that reference tell us about the building?

Edgar Allen Poe - it is creepy 

When Stella arrives home, Blanche tells her to turn off the overhead light. Why does she say this? 

Stella is insecure about her appearance and doesn’t want to be seen in the light 

What has happened to Belle Reve? 

Blanche lost it because she couldn’t pay the mortgage 

Why does Stanley think that Blanche has “swindled” Stella?

She has lost Belle Reve, and Stella didn’t get any money from the sale. He sees all of Blanche’s nice things and assumes she used the money to buy herself jewelry and clothing.

What does Blanche have to say about truth and illusion?

-Women are 50% illusion - she knows that she lies a lot

How does Blanche interact with Stanley? What is she doing?

She tries to flirt with him and get him to compliment her; he is not interested

Stella introduces Blanche to Mitch. What is Blanche’s immediate reaction to Mitch?

He’s “better” than the others. She sees Mitch as a potential escape from her situation. He would provide security and safety.  

Explain Stella’s assessment of Stanley in relation to the other men

She thinks he’s more driven than the other men. She thinks he’s the only one who would get somewhere or make something of himself. 

Blanche tells Mitch the meaning of her name. How is her name both ironic and symbolic? 

Her name means “white woods”. She describes Stanley as primitive and apelike, someone who lives in the jungle. A white wood is the opposite of the jungle. It’s ironic because she wants to come across as pure, but she isn’t actually pure. 

What are some of the lies that Blanche tells Mitch?

Her age & what happened with her job; She says Stella is the older sister

What do the comments made by Eunice and by Mitch tell us about the relationship of Stanley and Stella? 

Eunice & Mitch recognize how much Stella & Stanley love each other. Stella will always go back to Stanley because of how strongly she desires him. 

How does Stella feel about Stanley’s temper? How did she react to what he did on their wedding night? 

His temper “thrills” her. He knocked out all the lightbulbs on their wedding night. 

Describe the conversation Stanley overhears between Blanche and Stella. Give Stanley’s reaction. 

Blanche tells Stella about her reservations regarding Stanley. She describes him as common and an ape. Stanley is not happy, but doesn’t say anything until later at Blanche’s birthday dinner. 

What has Stanley found out about Blanche’s past in Laurel?

She was at the Hotel Flamingo, a seedy, run-down hotel.  

How does Blanche react when confronted with this situation?

Denies it, says she would never be seen at such a place 

What does Blanche hope for in a relationship with Mitch?

Financial security and rest 

Why does the teenager come to the apartment? What happens between Blanche and him? What do we learn about Blanche from this encounter?

He comes selling newspapers. Blanche flirts with him and kisses him. This hints to us that Blanche isn’t as innocent as she wants people to believe she is. 

Describe Blanche’s behavior with Mitch. Why is this behavior ironic?

Blanche acts like a “lady” and as though she is innocent. She doesn’t want him to go “too far” with her. The irony is she has been having affairs with men the past few years and is not innocent. 

What does Blanche tell Mitch about her past? Why does she confide in Mitch?

Blanche tells Mitch how Alan, her young husband, killed himself after Blanche told him she’d lost respect for him upon finding out that he is gay. She is manipulating Mitch by being vulnerable. 

What news does Stanley reveal about Blanche? How does Stella react to this news?

Stanley tells Stella about Blanche’s behavior at the Flamingo Hotel and the real reason she was fired from the school. 

What is Stanley’s birthday present for Blanche, and why is it a cruel gift? How does Blanche respond? 

A bus ticket back to Mississippi; Blanche is very upset by it. 

 What is the purpose of playing the polka tune, the “Varsouviana”?  

It reminds Blanche of Alan and his death. It shows how his death is haunting her and that she still feels extremely guilty. It also shows that she is suffering from PTSD. 

How does Blanch try to deceive Mitch about the liquor? Why doesn’t this work?

She says she doesn’t know what they have, but she does because she’s been drinking it all summer. When she takes some out, she pretends to try it and see what it tastes like. Stanley told Mitch that she’s been drinking a lot all summer. 

What does Blanche say about realism and magic? 

She wants magic, not what’s real. This connects to her always wanting to be in the shadows and not in the real light, which is the truth and the real world. She’d rather live in her pretend world of Southern aristocracy, instead of face the real world reality that she is no longer a part of that class. 

What upsets Mitch the most about Blanche? How did he verify the truth about her history? 

He is upset about her lying to him. He verified the truth with multiple people, including some from Laurel, Mississippi, to make sure Stanley wasn’t making it up. 

When does scene 10 begin? What is Blanche’s condition? What is Stanley’s condition?

Blanche has lost her sanity; Stanley is excited about Stella having a baby

Why does Stanley get out his silk pajamas?

Stella is having a baby, and they are having for celebration.

 The scene opens to another poker night. How has Stanley’s luck changed since the first poker night? How is this game symbolic?

Stanley is winning the game, which shows that he is “winning” between him and Blanche

What is Blanche’s condition, and how is Stella dealing with it? 

Blanche has lost connection with reality. Stella is concerned for her. However, Stella chooses not to believe Blanche’s story about Stanley raping her. She wants to stay with him and to be able to do that, she must lie to herself. 

What does Shep Huntleigh represent to Blanche?

The Old South, the life she came from 

How is Stanley’s tearing the paper lantern from the bulb significant?

Exposing Blanche for who she really is; she can’t hide in a “make-believe world” anymore

What is the significance of Blanche’s final line?

It is ironic because for the most part, people have not been kind to Blanche, but have used her. She has to rely on strangers because she can’t rely on her family. 

Bathing

Blanche’s attempt to “purify” herself; think like Baptism

The Paper Lampshade

Blanche is trying to conceal the light; her lying

The Varsouviana Polka

Blanche’s relationship with her dead husband

The Streetcar

Desire motivates everyone’s decisions

Stella’s Name

“Star,” she is what guides Blanche & Stanley

Blanche’s name

“White woods” - Blanche’s “purity” or lacktherof

Lightbulb

The truth

Belle Reve

“Beautiful dream” → Blanche’s romantic view of the South and the past

White Clothing

Purity

Flowers for the Dead

Blanche’s downfall happens when Mitch says he won’t marry Blanche; Blanche feels as though she has lost her youth

Raw Meat (Stanley brings it home”

Comparing Stanley to an animal