Scene 4

Question 1

> metaphor for complacency in the face of relationship’s issues
metaphorically sedated into submission
ignoring reality

Answer 1

“narcotized tranquillity”

Question 2

> Stella revitalised by violence
Blanche wearied/disturbed by violence
Stella thriving in the setting while Blanche cannot cope

Answer 2

Stella - relaxed, serene, tranquil
Blanche - sleepless night

Question 3

> both sisters’ solutions entirely reliant on male financial support
entrapment of women in 1940s
cannot support themselves financially

Answer 3

“he gave me 10 dollars to smooth things over”
Blanche’s mention of Shep Huntleigh

Question 4

> AO3 - W called streetcar “ideal metaphor for the human condition”
allegory for desire as characters’ driving force

Answer 4

“haven’t you ever ridden on that streetcar?”
“it brought me here”

Question 5

> melodramatic lexical field
base description

Answer 5

“animal” “sub-human” “ape-like” “stone-age”

Question 6

> dramatic irony
Scene 1 parallel relevant >Blanche sees through Stanley - threat?

Answer 6

“bearing the raw meat home”

Question 7

> intransigence in ideals
classism influences judgement
generalises “brutes” - becomes commentary on whole New South
B’s fantasies - New South actually more progressive
B’s Old South is left behind

Answer 7

“don’t hang back with the brutes”

Question 8

> noise reflects Stanley’s dominance
symbolic of industrial modern world
sound perforates scene - relentless force of change overpowers Blanche’s illusions

Answer 8

locomotive sound

Question 9

> stage directions reflect B’s judgement - element of truth
embodying primal qualities that realise B’s description

Answer 9

“licking his lips”
“stealthily”

Question 10

> tragic relevance - peripeteia
B’s fate is sealed

Answer 10

“he grins through the curtains at Blanche”