Scene 1 Quotes

Question 1

Analyse the name of the houses being Elysian Fields

Answer 1

Elysian = heaven - contradicts the urban American setting

Question 2

Why is raffish charm significant

Answer 2

Strong sense of community depicted.
Unconventional but charming

Question 3

What does the white frame of the house show us

Answer 3

The French influence over New Orleans

Question 4

Analyse ascend

Answer 4

Idea of going up to heaven - going up stairs to their houses brings them sanctuary and peace

Question 5

Faint redolences of bananas and coffee

Answer 5

Sensory. emphasises idea of the two races finally mixing comfortably

Question 6

Blue piano

Answer 6

Motif - represents blanches presence and deteriorating mind

Question 7

Spirit of the life

Answer 7

Strong sense of life within the community

Question 8

Cosmopolitan and intermingling

Answer 8

Shows the segregation breaking down

Question 9

How is Stanley initially depicted

Answer 9

“Roughly” shows he does physical work/ labour - works for his money but may foreshadow his primitive behaviour as he is already rough
“ blue denim work clothes “ working class - doesn’t strive to Beanything - clashes with Blanches American dream

Question 10

Stanley ( bellowing)

Answer 10

Word choice was friends but he says it aggressively - friendly exterior is a facade - contrasts with actual personality

Question 11

Stanley - “catch “,”meat!”

Answer 11

Short sentences paint him as inarticulate and unintelligent. Very dismissive of Stella

Question 12

Stanley “ heaves” the meat at Stella

Answer 12

Heaves himself at her? She accepts it - gender roles
Fulfills her job as the the weaker person - submissive - could be sexual

Question 13

“Can I come watch?” Stella

Answer 13

Relies on him - misogyny of the book of women relying on men. Asking many questions in a short amount of time - anxious to be without him - perhaps doesn’t trust him or feels unsafe in her own head - needs him to offer her stability. Mental health issues run in their family

Question 14

“ Be over soon “ - Stella

Answer 14

Doting - knows he doesn’t care if she’s there or not so stays for a moment

Question 15

“Stella goes out”

Answer 15

If she’s away for to long he may become frustrated / take his anger out on her

Question 16

Blanche initial description

Answer 16

“Shocked” - displeased that Stella has to live like this
“Incongruous” - doesn’t fit the crowd - doesn’t fit in with world? Why she has to be taken away
“ White” theme is angelic - foreshadows her weakness and delicate mind
“Clothes suggests a moth” - attracted to light/ wealth. Very delicate - her well dressed exterior is transparent
“ get off at Elysian Fields” final resting place- ironic- not heavenly for her at all, and setting is rough

Question 17

Blanche - “ I mean, mrs Stanley kowalski”

Answer 17

Doesn’t have a name anymore - anonymous - becomes Stanley’s property

Question 18

What is noticeable about blanches demeanour

Answer 18

(“Wanting to get rid of her”) - contrasts Stella’s warmth, looks down on her

Question 19

What is important about the description of Blanche when she enters Stanley and Stella’s house?

Answer 19

“Stiffly” “slightly hunched” “legs pressed close together” “hands tightly clutching her purse “ - she’s uncomfortable and feels assaulted by the unfamiliar surroundings

Question 20

What is noticeable about the description of Blanche drinking whiskey

Answer 20

“ tosses it down” not lady like - appearances vs reality
“Washes out the tumbler at the sink” - concealment - drinking problem
“ I’ve got to keep hold of myself” - paranoia - knows it’s a problem

Question 21

Stella and Blanche meeting “feverish “ and “spasmodic”

Answer 21

Highly energised reunion, suggests erratic trait runs in family

Question 22

“No ones my limit” - Blanche

Answer 22

Concealment, Blanche is introduced as a single woman and also is not content with this - could be relying on alcohol as a replacement for a man - Williams paints unmarried life for women negatively and suggests women can’t cope without men

Question 23

“God love you for a liar” Blanche

Answer 23

Accusatory. Craves attention but then acts blasé when she gets it