key quotes and analysis

scene 1

“And turn that over-light off! Turn that off! I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare!” - Blanche

Blanche’s monologue: “The long parade to the graveyard!”, “You didn’t dream, but I saw! Saw! Saw!”, “Why, the Grim Reaper had put up his tent on our doorstep!”

scene 2

“Sister Blanche cannot be annoyed with business details right now!” - Stanley

“Napoleonic code” - Stanley

“I was fishing for a compliment, Stanley” - Blanche

“I was flirting with your husband, Stella!” - Blanche

“The blind are - leading the blind!” - Blanche

scene 3

“My nerves are in knots” - Blanche

“Sick people have such deep, sincere attachments.” - Blanche

“waltzes to the music with romantic gestures” and “moves in awkward imitation like a dancing bear” - stage directions about Blanche and Mitch dancing

“I need kindness now.” - Blanche

scene 4

“her face is serene” and “narcotized tranquility” - stage directions about Stella

“I was - sort of - thrilled by it.” - Stella

“What you are talking about is brutal desire - just - Desire!” - Blanche

“There’s something downright - bestial - about him!” - Blanche

Blanche’s monologue: “he acts like an animal”, “animal’s habits!”, “sub-human”, “ape-like”, “Stanley Kowalski - survivor of the Stone Age!”, “Don’t - don’t hang back with the brutes!” .