scene 1 quotes (memorisation)

opening stage direction

“Elysian Fields”
“white frame, weathered grey”
“rickety outside staircase”
“tender blue… invests the scene with a kind of lyricism”
“gracefully accentuates atmosphere of decay”

Stanley’s introduction

“catch! Meat”
“red-stained package from the butchers”

Stella’s reaction to stanley - role in relationship

“mildly…don’t holler at me like that”
“cries out in protest... laughs”

Blanche’s introduction

“appearance incongruous to the setting”
“white suit… fluffy bodice” “necklace and earrings of pearl” “white gloves and a hat”
“suggests a moth”

Blanche - link to later scenes

“more prepared for a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district”

Blanche’s journey

“streetcar named desire - graveyards - elysian fields”

Class

Eunice: “we own this place so I can let you in”

Belle Reve

Blanche: “A great big place with white columns”

Blanche + alcohol

“springs up” “suddenly” “tosses” (KINESICS)

“half opened closet” SYMBOLIC

“one’s my limit”

Blanche’s speech on death

“took the blows to my face and body!” dichotomy of I and you, “what gorgeous boxes they pack them away in!” “the grim reaper put up his tent on our doorstep” “that’s how it slipped through my fingers” “ I saw! saw! saw!”

Blanche’s view of S+S relationship

“in bed with your - Polack!”

Blanche’s repeated phrase

“I haven’t asked you the things you probably thought I was going to ask” “you haven’t said a word about…” “you haven’t asked me how…”

Stanley’s introduction

“animal joy is implicit in all of his movements” “power and pride of a richly feathered bird among hens” “emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer”

Blanche’s trauma

“the music of the polka rises up, faint in the distance”