streetcar scenes summary
scene 1
key themes: madness, social class, light, deception
Blanche arrives at Belle Reve, we’re introduced to her backstory
Stella arrives and the dynamic between the two is immediately made clear, with Blanche controlling the conversation and viewing Stella as the baby
Blanche makes her instability known to Stella, they discuss the loss of Belle Reve - monologue about the deaths and responsibility
Blanche meets Stanley who asks about her previous marriage, causing a physical reaction of sickness
scene 2
key themes: social class, deception
Stella and Stanley discuss the arrival of Blanche, Stella asks him to be nice due to her condition and instability (asks him to compliment her)
Stanley questions where the money from Belle Reve went (Napoleonic code) - instating his power as a man within the house, Stanley suspects that Blanche is keeping the money for herself
Blanche and Stanley discuss her looks and the position of women and beauty
Stanley questions Blanche about the papers and searches her trunk - finds the love letters from her dead husband, affects her stability
Blanche gives Stanley the Belle Reve papers
Blanche finds out Stella is going to have a baby
scene 3
key themes: desire, death, gender, violence, light, deception
poker night - men are introduced and their dynamic (Stanley has control with them), Mitch tells men about his mother and taking care of her
Stella and Blanche come home, Stanley reinstates his power over her
Blanche meets Mitch - she shows interest in his and learns about his mother, they discuss english literature, his case with scripture, her job
Stanley clearly drunk is aggressive towards Stella, she rushes upstairs with Blanche and the men try to sober him up
Stanley calls for Stella to come back downstairs, she eventually does
Blanche scared of Stanley finds comfort in Mitch
scene 4
key themes: social class, gender, deception
morning after poker night, Blanche questions Stella’s choice to forgive
Stella shows her addiction to Stanley and his violent nature, playing it off as excitement for the both of them
Blanche suggests the both of them running away (Shep Huntleigh introduced) - Stella rejects by saying that Stanley always makes it up to her with money
Blanche shows judgement towards Stella and her desire for Stanley - monologue about his animalistic nature and social position
scene 5
key themes: desire, gender, violence
Blanche and Stella discuss Steve and Eunice’s relationship (similar to S+S)
Stanley and Blanche discuss new info he found out about her past - Hotel Flamingo, Blanche denies accusations
Blanche asks Stella what she’s heard about her past, makes it known that she had no choice
Blanche spills drink on her skirt but has an extreme reaction
Blanche says Mitch is coning over - wants to make a good impression, for equality and a relationship
young man collecting for papers comes to the house, she compliments and kisses him then tells him to leave just as Mitch arrives
scene 6
key themes: desire, death, madness, gender, violence, light, deception
Mitch and Blanche on date
Blanche is flattered that Mitch desired her - he asks about her age, told his mother about her and settling down
they discuss their own physiques - traditional image and presentation
Blanche tells him about her previous husband and the night he died (cheating and suicide) - clearly causing physical pain for her, she blames herself
Mitch asks Blanche if they could settle down - idea of marriage introduced
scene 7
key themes: madness, social class, deception
Blanche’s birthday, having a dinner at Elysian Fields
Stanley makes it known to Stella that Blanche sees him as socially inferior, believes that she has been lying to the both of them (hotel, promiscuity, mocks her mental instability)
Stanley tells Stella the real reason she was fired - involvement with student
Stanley makes it known that he told Mitch - he doesn’t expect him to come to dinner, Stella mad that he ruined her chances of settling down but he says that he was protecting him
Stanley says he bought Blanche a bus ticket away
scene 8
key themes: madness, social class, gender, violence, light
Blanche’s birthday dinner, she is asking Stanley to tell stories and seems happy
Stella shows anger towards Stanley, causing him to become aggressive to reinstate power in house - he tells her it’ll all be back to normal after baby is born
Blanche wonders where Mitch is so tries to call him
light imagery with baby and candles
Stanley tells Blanche he bought her a ticket home, she’s upset and Stella asks why he did it when he knew it would upset her - he wants her gone
Stella goes into labour and goes to hospital
scene 9
key themes: desire, death, madness, gender, light, deception
Mitch visits Blanche - he’s physically affected by her past
Blanche hears the gunshot and Mitch thinks she’s going mad
Mitch properly looks at Blanche under the light against her will
they discuss her past - Tarantula arms and comfort in other men
Mitch begins to show his sexual primal desires (mirrors Stanley + violence)
Blanche begs Mitch to marry her but he refuses because she’s unclean - causes her to go hysteric
scene 10
key themes: madness, social class, violence, deception
Blanche is drunk and dressed up in fancy clothing
Stanley comes home from hospital and tells her about the birth
Blanche tells him she got an invitation to a cruise with an Shep Huntleigh - lie
Stanley puts on pjs he wore on wedding night - hints to sex
Blanche tells Stanley about Mitch but adds lies about him begging for forgiveness
Stanley makes it known that he’s aware of her lies - he becomes aggressive and doesn’t let Blanche escape
they become rough with each other - Stanley says they’ve been destined to be from the start
assumed that Stanley rapes her
scene 11
key themes: madness, violence, deception
all characters are at S+S house - Stella packing for Blanche and men playing games
Mitch clearly unstable and emotional
Blanche is bathing and clearly gone mad - thinks she’s leaving with Shep
Stella tells Eunice that she chose to believe Stanley about the rape for her family and future with him
Eunice and Stella complimenting Blanche and talking about her ‘trip’
Blanche prepares to leave but realises that it’s a nurse and doctor at the door who will take her away - she attempts to run away but is held down begging to be let go
Stella is heavily upset by Blanche’s treatment, Mitch blames Stanley and becomes violent and emotional
Blanche becomes open to the nurse and doctor who take her away to mental hospital
Stella is crying and Stanley comforts her