Scene 1

Question 1

How is Stanley presented when we are first introduced to him? What is he doing?

Answer 1

• Throwing “red-stained package”: foreshadows violent nature?
• Blue denim: works hard (perhaps because immigrant.)

Question 2

How is Blanche described in opening stage directions?

Answer 2

• “incongorous” to setting.
• “white hat and gloves”: purity/ innocence (links to how Blanche means “white” in French.) Facade of purity.
• “like a moth”: something not pure about her. Attracted to light (Blanche attracted to showing herself off.)
• “daintly-dressed”/ “pearl- earrings”: shows off her wealth.

Question 3

Two motifs associated with Blanche throughout play.

Answer 3

• Light–> “her beauty must avoid strong light.” She can’t be placed under scrutiny. Secrets she is hiding?
• Bathing –> washing away her sins.
• Her destroyed nature mirrors destruction of Old South.

Question 4

Where has Blanche arrived in this scene?

Answer 4

• She has arrived in New Orleans.

Question 5

What is the significance of the name: “Belle-Reve?”

Answer 5

• Belle Reve (Reve = masculine in french belle = feminine.)
• Mistake shows place is imperfect.
• Belle Reve was just dream of South; not a reality.

Question 6

What type of language does Blanche use when describing the loss of Belle Reve? What was included in The Southern Gothic genre?

Answer 6

• Gothic diction.
• Southern Gohtic included: dark humour, horrific thoughts.

Question 7

How does Blanche drink alchol?

Answer 7

• “one’s my limit” but drinks “whiskey and tosses it down.” - alcholic, keeping secret from sister? Masculine beaviour (not Southern Belle.)
• Also smokes “cigarette”: unstable nature.
• Williams showing toll destruction of South has had.

Question 8

What is Blanche’s language like in her monologue where she speaks about the loss of Belle-Reve? Williams purpose?

Answer 8

• Materialistic/ financial: “insurance”, “expensive”, “salary.”
• Death imagery: “Grim Reaper”/ “cofin.”
• Very self-centred “I, I took the blows.”
• Very unstable - Williams wants us to have sympathy for emotionally- vulnerable women (just as his sister/ mother were emotionally vulnerable.)

Question 9

How does Blanche act around Stella in this scene?

Answer 9

• Very critical: ie. of her marrying Stanley/ criticises her body.
• Encourages Stella to look at “her figure.”
• Craves attention from others (her hamartia/ fatal flaw.)

Question 10

Williams’ purpose in conveying Blanche as self-centred and secretive?

Answer 10

• Williams aims to show that notions of Old South have died, seen through Blanche slowly slipping away from Old South ideals (mourning this fact.)

Question 11

Give examples of dark humour Blanche uses when describing the loss of Belle- Reve (in her monologue.)

Answer 11

• “pretty flowers”/ “gorgeous boxes.”
• Mokcing Stella, is she actually instable. After destruction of South, has Blanche become heartless.

Question 12

How is Stanley described in the opening stage directions?

Answer 12

• “gaudy- seed bearer.” (proud he can impregenate women.)
• “power and pride of richly- feathered male bird amongst hens.” –> superiority/ like a peakock.
• Womaniser: “enjoyed pleasure of women - giving and taking of it.”

Question 13

What phrase does Stanley use when reffering to Stella when speaking to Blanche? Siginificance?

Answer 13

• “little woman.”
• Infantalising Stella in a patriarchal manner.
• Williams critiquing ways of The New South.