ASND S1 best quotes + analysis Flashcards

1
Q

what is the importance of Elysian Fields

A

a greek paradise where inhabitants live in eternal happiness, the street where Stella & Stanley reside exterior appears to be faultless/ideal but interior filled with abuse ,
the place where Blanche loses all hold on reality & is propelled towards her downfall (the opposite of happiness so ironic)

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2
Q

“You can almost feel the _____ breath on the____ river” (stage directions) complete & analyse the quote

A

“warm” & “brown” , plosive alliteration of “breath” and “brown” - emphasizes lively atmosphere The imagery of “the brown river” demonstrates a romanticised image of decay typical of the southern gothic genre whilst reinforcing the impoverished setting stella and stanley inhabit

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3
Q

what quote from the stage directions best demonstrates Stanleys casual attire

A

“roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes”

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4
Q

“Roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes” reflects ……

A
stanley's lower class background + his rugged masculinity 
 he displays a lack of care about his appearance stressing his informality that indibutably contrasts B
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5
Q

Stanley’s initial characterisation is cemented through his opening line as he enters the scene “_____” holding “a ___ stained package”

A

“bellowing” , “red”

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6
Q

how does stanley “bellowing” and the fierce imagery of “red” help to construct his character

A

elucidates his primitive nature mirroring that of a caveman,
connotations of “red” evoke fierce imagery like blood & violence to the audience that they associate with Stanley (become cautious/wary of him)

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7
Q

complete & analyse the quote “Stella for ____”

A

“star” , stars symbolise divine guidance + protection Stella will be B’s shield against the brutality of the world as she flees into her fantasies,
Stella fills the protective role a husband or male figure would have for B may birth dissonance S&S

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8
Q

“Don’t _____ at me like that” Stella protests against Stanley’s domineering behaviour but he dismisses this and she reinforces his dismissal as “she laughs _______”

A

“holler” , “breathlessly”

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9
Q

Stella laughing “breathlessly” in response to Stanleys behaviour outlines….

A

outlines how his primitive nature thrills her + highlights their toxic co dependence
she depends on him for sexual gratification and basic necessities (food, money, housing etc)

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10
Q

Introduction of Blanche wearing a “white ___” + “____ gloves” reveals her to be ______ to the environment around her

A

“suit” , ““white” , incongruous

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11
Q

state the connotations of white and how Blanches initial introduction contrasts Stanleys

A

white = connotations of virtue + purity contrasts stanley’s initially associated with the savagery of the colour “red” perhaps he will stain B’s facade of innocence catapulting her towards her impending downfall

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12
Q

what quote clearly displays Stanleys aggressive attitude towards sex

A

“the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it”

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13
Q

explain the importance behind the quote “the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it”

A

foreshadows violent rape of blanche , stresses the potent sexual tension between Stella + Stanley , “giving” + “taking” = aggressive approach towards sexual intimacy, the audience receives insight into Stanley’s character

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14
Q

complete & analyse the quote said by stanley “im afraid ill strike you as being the ______ type”

A
"unrefined" ,  from a deep south state that has a paucity of diversity she may criticise him,
 recognises Blanche is of a higher class and had an agrarian upbringing shrouded in wealth so she will look at him with disdain
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15
Q

what term of endearment does Stanley commonly use to refer to Stella and explain the meaning behind it

A

“baby”, gives demeaning image of unequal status & infantile presentation of Stella from Stanley (patronising)

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16
Q

what one word phrase from Stanley demonstrates his primitive nature in the beginning of the play

A

“meat!”

17
Q

analyse the quote “meat!”

A

primal and primitive display of this animalistic presentation of man -
Meat symbolism is important foreshadows why Stella chooses him.
He provides for her and her baby.

18
Q

Stanley is described as having pure uncivilised “____ ____ in his being “

A

“animal joy”

19
Q

what quote from the stage directions demonstrates Stanleys solid self confidence

A

“The power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.”

20
Q

analyse the quote “The power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.”

A

Stanley believes in dominance of men + is very sexual.
His richly feathered bird suggests strong self-confidence.
Plosives highlight dominance.

21
Q

analyse the stage directions used to describe Blanche [There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes, that suggests a moth.]

A
  • she does not want to be exposed she is weak and fragile like a moth
  • Moths that are attracted to light burn. When B is exposed to light (reality) it is her demise as a character. Stanley brings about this light
  • moths are nocturnal, so is she.
22
Q

what is the importance of the “polka” in ASND

A

reflects Blanche’s mental state revealed through expressionist theatre about being asked about her dead husband.
B illustrated as destabilised & so her inexorable mental deterioration is foreshadowed from the start

23
Q

Blanches “white gloves” are _____ of class

A

signifiers

24
Q

why does Blanche appear to be wearing a substantial amount of white in her first appearance

A

drenches herself in white to alleviate the shame of her past + to help construct her characterisation of a typical southern belle to those around her

25
Q

why does Blanches “white suit” make her incongruous

A

her formal attire constructs a divide between her and the residents as she wears clothes to display her affluence