A Streetcar Named Desire

quotes and stage directions i think that are useful for the paper 2 essay

“I look around for some liquor” (Scene 1)

Blanche (speaker) to Stella

“I look around for some liquor” (Scene 1)

Blanche (speaker) to Stella

Techniques: Symbolism (of alcohol as coping mechanism)

This indicates Blanche is a drinker, and drinkers tend to drink so that way they can stay drunk to get away from the reality they live in and forward to their fantasies.

“… , looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district.” (Scene 1)

Stage directions

Techniques: Simile, Imagery

Her appearance is “incongruous to the setting” (stage direction) and thus augurs to the audience that Blanche will not fit in and is an outsider.

“Since when do you give me orders?” (Scene 2)

Stanley (speaker) to Stella

Techniques: Rhetorical questions, direct address and (confrontational) tone.

Stanley gets perceived as a person who symbolises masculinity, is arrogant, and has a habit of taking advantage of strength in order to convey his feelings rather than speech, which makes him an unsophisticated and crude person. Moreover, William's selection of words reflects his underlying hostility towards the things around him, and his demeaning treatment of women causes him to treat women aggressively. This additionally demonstrates his relationship with Stella; he holds the upper hand and abuses Stela horribly, thus causing the audience to disapprove of Stanley and loathe his alpha male demeanour.

“There’s so much—so much confusion in the world… Thank you for being so kind! I need kindness now.” (Scene 3)

Blanche (speaker) to Mitch

Techniques: Parallel syntax, juxtaposition, direct address and ellipsis

This quote will make the audience further acknowledge that Blanche is confused with life and is trying to escape the real world by deceiving Mitch into thinking that she’s another woman who is young and innocent. Moreover, the audience would sympathise with Blanche.

“Have got to be seductive — put on soft colours, the colours of butterfly wings, and glow” (Scene 5)

Blanche (speaker) to Stella

Techniques: Imagery, Metaphor/Symbolism, and Sensory language

It showcases the audience that Blanche is aware that she is fantasising over the harsh reality and is desperate to escape from all of her problems and realities. This encourages the audience to wonder what Blanche has been through as a prostitute, which has driven her to build her own fantasy world in order to defend herself.

“[bellowing] Hey, there! Stella, baby!” (Scene 1)

Stanley (speaker) to Stella

Techniques: Diction, direct address, informal language as well as endearment

The first impression of Stanley came from this quote. It highlights that he is a rather primitive/ uncivilised, almost cave-man like character who doesn’t treat women nicely thus suggests he is misogynist. Moreover, the quote enhances the foreshadowing of future instances of domestic abuse that Stanley will commit. It gives the audience a glimpse into Stanley’s vile nature and hints at the potential for more intense and harmful behaviour in their relationship.

On the other hand, the phase also creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and the person being addressed (in this case Stella). And therefore adds a colloquial, conversational and playful flavour to the dialogue.

All in all, although the quote shows that Stanley and Stella are close, the audience will also feel a sense of disgust as Stanley’s disrespectful behaviour to Stella may evoke strong negative emotions towards him. Further emphasising his “Survivor of a Stone Age” personality. However, the audience will also be concerned as yelling can be a form of emotional abuse, and the audience will be uncomfortable witnessing this.

“Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” (Scene 11)

Blanche (speaker) to Shep Huntleigh (the doctor)

Techniques: Allusion, dramatic irony and emotive language (to evoke a sense of vulnerability and reliance. It emphasizes Blanche's need for assistance and her history of seeking support from unfamiliar individuals.)

i) The use of the phrase “the kindness of strangers” alludes to a common expression which implies that sometimes people receive help or support from unfamiliar people in unexpected situations. In this case, it reflects Blanche's tendency to rely on the kindness of others, often strangers, for emotional and financial support.

ii) The quote is ironic as Blanche's dependence “on the kindness of strangers” rather than on herself is the reason she fails to do well in life. Strangers have only been helpful in exchange for sex. Blanche's final quote also demonstrates her complete detachment from reality and her will to experience life just as she desires.

“And funerals are pretty compared to deaths.” (Scene 1)

Blanche (speaker) to Stella

Techniques: Hyperbole and imagery

By appealing to the audience's emotions, the quote can evoke empathy and introspection.

Moreover, it highlights the idea of presenting an outward appearance or illusion of beauty even in the face of difficult or harsh realities. This connects to Blanche's tendency to create and cling to illusions to shield herself from her troubled past and present circumstances.

“There’s something about her uncertain manner that suggests a moth.” (Scene 1)

Stage Directions

Techniques: Foreshadowing, metaphor, symbolism (fragility, vulnerability, and being drawn towards something despite potential harm)

Her comparison to a moth also implies that she is fated for destruction as moths are attracted to the light which is their cause of death. It also foreshadows that she will encounter risks due to her uncertain manner.

Anyway, the mention of a moth and uncertainty sets a particular mood and atmosphere for the scene. It creates a sense of tension, anticipation, and vulnerability, which can engage the audience and make them curious about the character's journey.

“Young man! Young, young, young man! Has anyone ever told you that you look like a young prince out of the Arabian Nights!” (Scene 5)

Blanche to young newspaper collector

Techniques: Repetition, lexical field and emotive language (to create a romantic image)

Blanche’s prolonged exclamation expresses her attraction to him young men generally, but also her longing for her own youth. It also shows Blanche’s education and her attraction to exotic fantasy. Blanche describing the young man as a fictional character reminds us that this entire scene is part of her altered perception of reality.

[She rolls her eyes, knowing he cannot see her face.]” (Scene 6)

Blanche to Mitch

This quote highlights that Blanche’s relationship with Mitch is founded on her lies and intentionally distorted perceptions. Regardless of Stanley’s actions, the Blanche-Mitch couple is doomed from the start because Blanche is not physically attracted to Mitch, and after this act one cannot say that she is emotionally attracted towards Mitch either or if the latter is just attracted to the idea of protection that Mitch offers.

“Then marry me, Mitch!” (Scene 9)

Blanche to Mitch

Blanche’s loneliness and need for companionship is displayed in her plea for Mitch to marry her. It is not important whether she truly loves Mitch or not but more like a means of a way out the trap she finds herself in. There is evident pathos here as she and the audience are well aware that Mitch came to her house with the intention of raping her. Her willingness to marry a man who would do this to her clearly illustrates Blanche’s desperation.

“Stella oh, Stella Stella! Stella for star!” (Scene 1)

Blanche to Stella

Techniques: Sibilance, alliteration and symbolism as well as religious imagery

Stella as a guiding light for Blanche. It also shows that Blanche relies on Stella to take refuge and as a chance for Blanche to live a “normal” life.

“You never did give a chance to say much, Blanche. So, I just got in the habit of being quite around you.” (Scene 1)

Stella to Blanche

This quote signifies a significant aspect of Stella and Blanche's relationship. It suggests that Blanche has dominated the conversations and interactions between them, leaving Stella with limited opportunities to express herself. Stella implies that she has become accustomed to being quiet around Blanche, likely due to Blanche's strong personality, need for attention, or tendency to dominate conversations. Furthermore, the quote may indicate a sense of frustration or resignation on Stella's part.

“I like you to be exact like the way that you are.”

Mitch to Blanche

After Mitch exposes his honest feelings to himself, and Blanche to the audience. Blanches reaction is an outburst of laughter. His honesty and vulnerability are too much to bear for Blanche, a woman who runs from reality and who tell “lies, lies inside and out”.

“How old are you?” [she makes a nervous gesture]

Mitch to Blanche

By asking Blanche about her age, Mitch is trying to gather information and assess her suitability as a potential romantic partner. His question suggests that he is looking for honesty and transparency in their interaction. Mitch is portrayed as someone who values traditional values and a sense of propriety, and he may see Blanche's age as an important factor in determining her character and trustworthiness. Additionally, this question also highlights the societal expectations and pressures surrounding age and relationships. In the context of the play, Blanche is considered past her prime, and her age is seen as a potential obstacle to forming a romantic connection with someone like Mitch. The question about her age reflects the societal norms and biases that place importance on youth and beauty.

“You have no idea how stupid and horrid you’re being!”

Blanche Virgo the virgin

Stanley: Ha

“You’re not clean enough to bring home.”

Mitch to Blanche

After finding out about Blanche’s sordid past, Mitch’s attitude has changed

“Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house.”

Stanley to Blanche

This quote reflects Stanley's aggressive and confrontational nature, revealing his willingness to resort to physicality as a way of exerting control and asserting his dominance. It also suggests that he is going to rape Blanche and causes distress within the audience.

“Stella, you have a maid, don’t you?”

Blanche to Stella

This shows Blanche’s class expectations

“Where’s the little women?”

“Let me enlighten you on a point or two, baby.”

“Don’t be such an idiot Stanley.” 

The imperative verb “Don’t” shows some strength in Stella’s character through her protectiveness of Blanche.

“It makes me so mad when he does that in front of people.” 

Suggests that she likes Stanley’s raw physicality in private/ in bed.

 “He snatched one of my slippers…smashing light bulbs with it… I was sort of thrilled by it.”

Another implication that emphasises Stella finds Stanley’s dominance sexually arousing.

[Stella has embraced him with both arms in full view of Blanche] 

Symbolism that foreshadows the events at the end of the play. Stella could be seen as showing where her loyalties lie and choosing Stanley over Blanche. 

“I’m not in anything that I want to get out of.” 

Stella is trapped by denial and self oppression in a violent/ abusive relationship.

“Stella is packing Blanche’s things”

This scene is a downbeat conclusion after the melodrama of the rape

“I couldn’t believe her story and went on living with Stanley.” 

Themes of loyalty and betrayal are significant here. There is a clear indication to the audience that Blanche has told Stella about rape but Stella, despite her underlying convictions has chosen not to believe her and remain loyal to Stanley. Implication of this is that she has betrayed her sister by playing along with the idea that any talk of rape must be fantasy on Blanche's part and a product of her psychiatric condition.

“Don't worry, your sister hasn't turned into a drunkard, she's just all shaken up and dirty”

Blanche defends her need for a drink to Stella early on.

“Our first American ancestors were French Hugenots.”

Blanche describes her superior heritage to Mitch in their first meeting.

“Why, that's from my favourite sonnet by Mrs Browning” 

Blanche not only recognises the sonnet but also attributes it correctly to Mrs Browning. Such attention to detail and literary expertise can be seen as a mark of sophistication.

“Open your eyes to this stuff!”

Stella blind to Blanche's act.

“When he comes back I cry on his lap like a baby”

“You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother“

In this one sentence Mitch expresses both his feelings of love and respect for his mother and his condemnation of Blanche. He says he does not mind her being a little older than he imagined, but he cannot accept her promiscuous past in Laurel. This shows that he shares the traditional male attitude towards women’s sexuality. He would like Blanche to be as ‘innocent’ as she pretends to be – although he accepts that she has been married.