Blanche Flashcards
Blanche’s first description (stage directions)
‘Shocked.... ‘Appearance is... ‘Daintily... ‘Delicate.... ‘Something about... ‘White...
‘Shocked disbelief’
‘Appearance is incongruous to the setting’
‘Daintily dressed’
‘Delicate beauty must avoid strong light’
‘Something about her uncertain manner that suggests a moth’
‘White clothes’
Blanche’s streetcar journey
‘They told me to take a streetcar named desire and then transfer to one called cemeteries’
and get off at ‘Elysian fields’
Blanche described as insect
‘Moth’
Irony is moths are attracted towards light
Repellent creature - how Stanley views Blanche
Blanche’s interaction with Eunice at start of play
Reluctant to engage in conversation with her - ‘Yes…’
‘Wanting to get rid of her’ (stage direction)
Description of Blanche waiting for Stella in the apartment (stage directions)
‘Sits in a…’
‘Legs…’
‘Hands tightly…’
When she sees the alcohol and how she drinks it
‘Sits in a chair stiffly’
‘Legs pressed close together’
‘Hands tightly clutching her purse’
‘Springs up’ when she notices the alcohol and then ‘tosses it down’
What does Blanche say when she is alone waiting for Stella?
‘I’ve got to keep a hold on myself’
Blanche when she sees Stella
‘Springs up and runs to her with a wild cry’
Blanche not wanting light on when she sees Stella for the first time
‘Turn that over-light off’
‘Turn that off’
‘I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare’
Quite that indicates to audience Blanche has high expectations
To Stella at the start
‘What are you doing in a place like this’
How does Blanche act with Stella at the start when they first see each other?
‘Stella for Star’
‘Precious lamb’
‘Oh, my baby’
Reinforces idea that Stella is the younger sister , Blanche subtly dominating the situation
How does Blanche describe herself to Stella at the start?
‘She’s just all shaken up and hot and tired and dirty’
Polysyndeton
Disassociating herself because she wants to remain a southern belle and this description is incongruous to the prim and proper appearance she wants to retain
Blanche emotionally manipulative
‘You’re all I’ve got in the world’ to Stella
Straight after complaining about Stella’s home saying ‘you have had to live in these conditions’
Blanche spiteful towards Stella
‘Plump as a little partridge’ simile
‘’Watch around the hips a little’
Blanche dominating over Stella (little sister big sister)
‘You messy child’
Blanche obsessed with appearance
‘You haven’t…’
‘I haven’t put…’
‘Glances at her…’
‘You haven’t said a word about my appearance’
‘I haven’t put on an ounce on ten years’
After Stella compliments her she ‘glances at her for reassurance’
Blanche fragile bc caring about Stanley’s opinion of her
‘Will Stanley like me?’
Blanche when she finds out Stanley doesn’t know she is coming
‘Frightened’ (stage direction)
Blanche portrayed as frail and delicate when telling Stanley about Allan
‘I’m going to be sick’
‘Her head falls into her arms’
Who is Blanche based on
His aunt Belle who ‘talked like Blanche - hysterically, with great eloquence’
What does Blanche represent
Similarly to Amanda Wingfield in Williams’ other play ‘The Glass Menagerie’, Blanche represents a faded Southern Belle.
‘Got to be with somebody…
Got to be with somebody. I can’t be alone!
X
‘Her look is frightened’
‘Nervous’
‘Overwrought’
Hamartia quote
‘Tell her she looks wonderful. That’s important with Blanche. Her little weakness.’
Suggestive and sexual quote when Stanley is buttoning her up
‘You men with your big clumsy fingers’
Context - asking hé sisters husbands to help her dress - role of southern belle
Flirtatious and manipulative with Stanley
“I could never imagine any witch of a woman casting a spell over you.”
“Cards on the table”
“I like an artist who paints in strong bold colours, primary colours’
- Using Stanleys language of poker. Tactical.
- audience alarmed
“She doesn’t understand you as well as I do…’’
‘Playfully sprays him with it (perfume)’’
Blanche on what she will do bc S touched Allan’s poems
“Now that you have touched them, I’ll burn them”
Obsessed with appearance
Entering poker game
‘How do I look’
‘Lovely Blanche’