motifs, terms and context

Question 1

Varsouviana polka symbolism

Answer 1

representative of her guilt from the death of Allen and growing mental instability.

Question 2

Motif of light

Answer 2

representative of reality-plastic theatre

Question 3

synonyms of expose and reveal

Answer 3

display, uncovers, exhibits

Question 4

motif of poker game

Answer 4

symbolic of Stanley’s position as alpha male power over Blanche.

Question 5

motif of blue piano

Answer 5

symbolic of victory of new south over old south

Question 6

motif of paper moon

Answer 6

reveals Blanche’s philosophy of life that living in a facade is better than living in reality

Question 7

motif of alcohol

Answer 7

exposes double standards in patriarchy. Plays with the notions of femininity and masculinity

Question 8

motif of colour

Answer 8

Bright colours that present Stanley (“blue”) connote growing energy of working class, new south, male power over lighter colours that present blanche (“white”)

Question 9

motif of colour quote in poker game

Answer 9

“poker players wear coloured shirts, solid blue, a purple, a red checkered shirt.” “as powerful as the primary colours”- their vibrancy connotes their influence. Primary colour make up all colour suggesting male dominance in the patriarchy

Question 10

motif of locomotive

Answer 10

symbolic of her fate determined by the patriarchy.

Question 11

locomotive motif quote

Answer 11

“locomotive glares into the room as it thunders past”-personification

Question 12

Polka game motif

Answer 12

symbolic of male dominance in life over women in the patriarchy

Question 13

southern gothic lit in streetcar

Answer 13

grotesque characters and lurid, violent events. Disturbing deep flawed characters. Transgressive, violent, desire, irrational impulses are southern gothic elements

Question 14

Brechtian theatre

Answer 14

use of songs, music. Reach of catharsis.

Question 15

tragedy conventions

Answer 15

elements: harmatia, conflict, catharsis, supernatural

Question 16

plastic theatre meaning

Answer 16

use of props and sound to voice a characters inner thoughts. LITERARY CONTEXT

Question 17

Williams

Answer 17

homosexual, depression, mental instability, alcoholism

Question 18

Rose, Williams sister

Answer 18

mental illness, institutionalised

Question 19

The New South

Answer 19

aftermath of civil war and the abolishment of slavery. The south became a campion of diversity and accepting of many immigrants.

Question 20

Old south

Answer 20

money was built on slavery

Question 21

American dream

Answer 21

national ethos born from war and depression where all men, especially male immigrants, are seen as equal and can succeed equally.

Question 22

Societal views were funded on…

Answer 22

Christian beliefs

Question 23

What is freudian theory?

Answer 23

the concept of the subconscious mind

Question 24

In freudian theory what does id represent?

Answer 24

primitive part of mind leading to aggressive and sexual drive

Question 25

In freudian theory, what does superego represent?

Answer 25

moral conscious

Question 26

In freudian theory, what does ego represent?

Answer 26

realistic part of mind that mediates superego and id

Question 27

Freudian theory in Blanche

Answer 27

eros and Thanatos in Blanche can be representative of the conflict between id, ego and superego

Question 28

the varsouviana…

Answer 28

“steal softly in”

Question 29

Stella and Stanley’s relationship dependent on sex

Answer 29

‘But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark—that sort of make everything else seem—unimportant.’

Question 30

Description of Elysian Fields

Answer 30

‘The scene with a kind of lyricism and gracefully accentuates to the atmosphere of decay’-grotesque
Repetition of ‘dim white building’
Blanche is past her prime, idea of decay. Williams romanticises the sense of slum.
The lyricism that gracefully reflects the decay conditions is intrinsic to Blanche’s condition.

Question 31

Death and decay associated with Belle Reve

Answer 31

“Grim reaper had put up his tent on our doorstep”

Question 32

Fantasy of New Orleans

Answer 32

“quaintly ornamented gables”
“faded white stairs”

Question 33

Realism of New Orleans

Answer 33

smell of “bananas and coffee”
“brown fingers” playing blue piano

Question 34

“hot trumpet” at the end of scene 10

Answer 34

symbolic of sex- Stanley has won over Stella. War-like soundscape that represents Blanche’s defeat.

Question 35

Decay of Elysian Fields

Answer 35

“atmosphere of decay”- gothic