Heroines Quotes Flashcards
Women seen as possessions of men vs women have agency in relationship
Blanche about Stella
Delio about Duchess
‘I’m looking for my sister, Stella DuBois, I mean - Mrs Stanley Kowalski.’ (Blanche, I)
“DELIO: Have you prepared
Those ladies to attend her and procured
That politic safe conveyance for the midwife Your Duchess plotted?
Victim of a patriarchal society vs defy it
Blanche (bell reve)
Duchess
‘Honey, that’s how it slipped through my fingers Which of them left us a fortune? Which of them left a cent of insurance even?’ (Blanche; I)
“‘So, now the ground’s broke, / You may discover what a wealthy mine / I make you lord of.’ (Duchess; I, 2)
Defying traditional views on women being sexually active
Blanche –> Stella
Duchess to brothers
‘We thrashed it out. I feel a bit shaky, but I think I handled it nicely, I laughed and treated it all as a joke. I called him a little boy and laughed and flirted. Yes, I was flirting with your husband!’ (pg 25)
‘Diamonds are of most value, / They say, that have past through most jewellers’ hands.’
(The Duchess; I., 2)
Desire is her own undoing vs constant struggle for autonomy
Blanche
apricots
They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries. (Blanche, I)
DUCHESS. Lights to my chamber!—O good Antonio, I fear I am undone!
(Duchess: II, 1)
Gaining agency through sexuality
Blanche to Stella
Duchess (setting boundaries in relationship and taking control)
‘We thrashed it out. I feel a bit shaky, but I think I handled it nicely, I laughed and treated it all as a joke. I called him a little boy and laughed and flirted. Yes, I was flirting with your husband! (Blanche pg 25)
‘Lay a naked sword between us, keep us chaste.’ (The Duchess; I, 2)
Gaining agency through sexuality
Stella being free of guilt compared to Blanche
Duchess defying societal expectation of status
‘They come together with low, animal moans’
“’Tis a pretty art, this grafting.’
(Bosola; II, 1)
Pscyhologically damaged vs defiant and noble
End of scene 1
Antonio Act 1 scene 2
‘You were married once weren’t you?
“‘But for their sister, the right noble Duchess, / You never fixed your eye on three fair medals / Cast in one figure of so different temper.’
(Antonio, I, 2)
Lack of principles vs defiant and noble
Blanche (lying)
Duchess (soldiers)
“‘I know I fib a good deal… but when a thing is important, I tell the truth”
(Blanche, II)
“‘And even now, / Even in this hate, as men in some battles / By apprehending danger have achieved / Almost impossible actions - I have heard soldiers say so - So I, through frights and threatenings, will assay / This dangerous venture. Let old wives report / I winked and chose a husband.’
(Duchess, I, 2)
