IB English - Blanche Key quotes/context

Stage directions about her outfit in correlation to New Orleans

Incongruous to her setting

Description about Allen grey

There was something different about the boy, a nervousness, a tenderness and softness that wasn’t like a mans

How did Blanche get to Stella’s apartment

take a streetcar named Desire, transfer to one called Cemetery and ride six blocks and get off at Elysian Fields.

How does Blanche respond to Stella asking her if she has ever ridden the streetcar named desire

It brought me here. Where I'm not wanted and where I'm ashamed to be.

Blanche quote about realism/magic

I don’t want realism I want magic

Blanche’s last line

Whoever you are - I have always depended on the kindness of strangers

How does Blanche describe her and Allens love

a blinding light on something that had always been half in the shadow

Blanche quotes that link her to rhetoric of the defeated south in the civil war (About belle reve)

Fought for it, bled for it, died for it

Blanche response to Stanley asking about alchol

I rarely touch it

How does Stella describe Blanches dramatic change from a child

abused her and forced her to change

What was the name of the Brothel Blanche worked in

Tarantula arms

What does Blanche say about working as a prostitute

That's where I brought my victims. Yes, I've had many meetings with strangers.

Why is the symbol of a spider significant

• Symbol of Blanche as becoming a slave to her desires

• Spider = poisonous predators, suggests that Blanche is trapped (as tarantula arms is her only choice) but also a predator herself

• Tarantula arms is a microcosm for society as a whole

What would a Nietzschean interpretation of Blanche be

Acts as the Apollonian (imagination, purity and order) as she thrives on proprietary but gets lost in illusion.

How is the Elysian fields significant to Blanche and the women in the play

The place where her psyche is ruined through the verbal and physical abuse from Stanley, it is the reality of life which contrast her utopic fantasies. It is a place of permanent entrapment for both her and Stella (Stella through manipulation of Stanley)

How does Stella mimic Blanches words

When she says he is “too busy making a pig of himself”

Blanche quote about her ancestors

epic fornications

Blanche quote about dark

I like it dark. The dark is comforting to me

Blanche quote about turning off lights

And turn that over-light off! Turn it off

How does Blanche react when Stanley tears the lightbulb off

She cries out as if the lantern where herself

How does Blanche react when Mitch wants to look at her ‘plain and simple’ by turning on the light

\[fearfully\] light ? which light? what for?

Stage direction which describes Blanches relationhsip with light

Her delicate beauty must avoid strong light

How does blanche show she realises that her survival, and sense of belonging, is dependent on how she is viewed by society

make a little temporary magic just in order to pay for – one night’s shelter!

How is blanches white dress described in sc 5

Sc 5 - “Spilt” and she crys foreshadowing sc 10

How is blanches white dress described in sc 10

“soiled and crumpled” and her satin slippers are “stuffed”, she sees this as she talks to herself in the mirror (PLASTIC THEATRE)

What does Blanche say to Mitch about her youth

“My youth was suddenly gone up the waterspout, and - I met you ‘…’ I thanked God for you because you seemed to be gentle”

What does Mitch say about Blanche which links to ideas of purity

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

what does Stanley say about Blanche and her time back in Tarantula arms

“She became a town character. Regarded not just as different but down-right loco-nuts”

What does Stella say about Bs illusions

she had an experience that killed her delusions

What does Stella say about Blanche and loving Grey

“I think Blanche didnt just love him, but worshipped the ground he walked on.