A Streetcar named Desire- Old south versus New America

What does Blanche’s arrival at Elysian Fields signify about her social background?

Her 'dainty and expensive clothes' indicate her aristocratic roots.

How do Stanley's clothes reflect his social status?

His practical and rugged attire reflects his working-class ethos.

What does the scene of Stanley throwing out the radio symbolize?

It symbolizes the new world's violent rejection of the old South's values.

What does Blanche's soiled gown represent during the climactic rape scene?

It symbolizes her final humiliation and the defeat of her values.

How does Williams portray the decline of the Old South?

He exposes its corruption while lamenting the loss of its civilization and chivalry.

What does Blanche urge Stella to cling to?

She urges Stella to cling to 'art, and poetry, and music' as symbols of a more civilized world.

What role does the name 'Belle Reve' play in the symbolism of the play?

It symbolizes the bygone glory of the Dubois family and the decay of the Old South.

How is Blanche's character compared to Edgar Allan Poe’s 'The Fall of the House of Usher'?

Both portray the collapse of a noble family due to internal vices and death.

What does the motif of the polka tune suggest about Blanche’s state of mind?

It suggests that she is paralyzed by the past and haunted by her dead husband.

How does Stanley represent the new world in contrast to Blanche?

Stanley embodies life and vitality, indicating that the future belongs to his type of society.

What is the significance of Stanley pulling Stella down from the columns of Belle Reve?

It emphasizes the forced equality and lowliness of her new life in contrast to her previous aristocratic status.