Critical essay revision - conflict

Question 1

Introduction what to write summary -

Answer 1

Tennessee William’s enigmatic, Intriguing and ever relevant play - “A Streetcar named Desire” explores conflict between a “prim and proper” Southern Belle, Blanche - representing the Old South’s values and her domineering and animalistic brother in law Stanley Kowalski - representing the values of the new south. (For TP talk about scene 4)
Talk about conflict.
Techniques - dramatic irony, costuming, staging and characterisation.
Helps development of key theme of struggle between old and new values.

Question 2

Paragraph 1

Answer 2

Immediate contrast between Blanche and Stanley shows potential conflict between pair due to Blanche’s necessity for deceit.
“I - rarely touch it.”
“Some people rarely touch it, but it touches them often.”
“I don’t like to be swindled” - Stanley believes that Blanche is attempting to steal wealth that he thinks he is entitled to shows initial conflict between the characters.
Also talk about theme of truth vs lies.

Question 3

Paragraph 2 (TP)

Answer 3

Show how Blanche stands up to Stanley.
“Stanley jumps up and, crossing to the radio, turns it off. He stops short at sight of
Blanche in the chair. She returns his look without flinching.”
Shows Blanche is not afraid of Stanley at this point, directly contrast scene 7 after turning point.
“as Stanley crosses past her, a frightened look appears in her face”

Question 4

Paragraph 2 normal conflict paragraph 3 (TP)

Answer 4

Scene 4 Dramatic irony
“Under cover of the train’s noise Stanley enters from outside.” (p. 46)
This dramatic irony as we know that Stanley can hear what is going on but Blanche and Stella don’t.
Train also metaphorically relates that Stanley will not stop until Blanche is destroyed.
“ape-like” and “survivor of the Stone Age” (p.47)
Shows what Blanche thinks of Stanley – how he isn’t evolved.

Question 5

Paragraph 3 normal conflict and paragraph 4 TP

Answer 5

Show how Stanley will emerge over Blanche from this point on
“Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely, and in full view of Blanche.” “Over her
head he grins through the curtains at Blanche.” (p.48)

Stella has chosen Stanley over her sister, he is victorious. This cruel smile is indicative that he will destroy her - Blanche’s fate is sealed.
“the music of the ‘blue piano’ and trumpet and drums is heard.” (p.48)
MUSIC - links to end of Scenes 10 & 11 too.
p.97 and p.107

Question 6

Paragraph 4 normal conflict paragraph 5 (TP)

Answer 6

“she has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening
gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers” (p.90)
She now contrasts her appearance we saw in scene 1, her illusion is over and she no longer cares about her appearance.
After Stanley hangs up the phone “his mouth slowly curving into a grin.” (p.95)
This is point where Stanley plans to rape her – we saw this grin before when Stella chose Stanley over Blanche, and Stanley decided to destroy her illusion, now he is going to go further than that and rape her.

Question 7

Paragraph 5 normal conflict paragraph 6 (TP)

Answer 7

Stanley is victorious
“The hot trumpet and drums from the Four Deuces sound loudly “ (p.97)
Music representative of the downfall of Blanche, we heard it at the end of Scene 4 and Scene 11 where she was shipped off to a madhouse.
“Don’t ever believe it. Life has got to go on. No matter what happens, you’ve got to keep
on going.” (p.99)
Links to theme of Survival and Old vs New values, of which Stanley and his new values has emerged the victor over Blanche.