Streetcar 8 Flashcards
setting of scene 8
- ‘Three-quarters of an hour later.’
- sunset, light is fading but there are localised points of brightness: ‘torch of sunlight blazes’ ‘pierced by pin-points of lighted windows or windows reflecting the sunset’
- ‘The view through the big windows is fading gradually into a still-golden dusk.’
‘The view through…’
‘The view through the big windows is fading gradually into a still-golden dusk.’ - SD
‘A torch of…’
‘A torch of sunlight blazes on the side of a big water-tank or oil-drum across the empty lot towards the business district’ - SD
‘the business district…’
‘the business district which is now pierced by pin-points of lighted windows or windows reflecting the sunset.’ - SD
- these areas of light could reflect searchlights on Blanceh
‘The three people are…’
‘The three people are completing a dismal birthdya supper. Stanley looks sullen. Stella is embarrassed and sad.’ - SD
‘Blanche has a tight…’
‘Blanche has a tight, artificial smile on her drawn face. There is a fourth place at the table which is left vacant.’ - SD
- the fourth place is for Mitch, the ‘dismal’ atmosphere is because the truth about Blanche is out yet she is the only one (seemingly) who doesn’t know
‘I don’t know what’s…’
‘I don’t know what’s the matter, we’re all so solemn. Is it because I’ve been stood up by my beau?’ - Blanche
‘It’s the first time in my…’
‘It’s the first time in my entire experience with men, and I’ve had a good deal of all sorts, that I’ve actually been stood up by anybody!’ - Blanche
- is this true? Given what Stanley said she only got through a few dates with a guy before he found out the truth
- ‘I’ve had a good deal of all sorts [of experiences with men]’ - this probably doesn’t read how Blanche expects it to given the info stanley revealed in the prior scene
‘I don’t know any refined…’
‘I don’t know any [stories] refined enough for your taste.’ - Stanley
- subtle class dig, painfully aware of the social gap between Stella and Blanche and him
‘This old maid, she had a…’
‘This old maid, she had a parrot that cursed a blue streak and knew more vulgar expressions than Mr Kowalski.’ - Blanche
- unnecessary comment about Stanley, we can see why the tensions are so high and why he reacts so strongly to Stella’s comment about him being ‘disgustingly greasy’
- interesting over-formality in the ‘Mr Kowalksi’ title, possibly reverting back to her southern belle routes to deal with this uncomfortable situation
reactions to Blanche’s parrot story at her birthday dinner
- ‘[She throws back her…’
‘[She throws back her head and laughs. Stella also makes an ineffectual effort to seem amused. Stanley pays no attention to the story but reaches way over the table to spear his fork into the remaining chop which he eats with his fingers.]’ - SD
- ‘spear’ is reminiscent of ‘survivor of the stone age’
‘Mr Kowalksi is too…’
‘Mr Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself to think of anything else!’ - Stella
- animalistic presentation - ‘pig’
- ‘think of anything else’ could be a dig at his intelligence
‘Your face and your…’
‘Your face and your fingers are disgustingly greasy. Go and wash up and then help me clear the table.’ - Stella
- direct insults (‘making a pig of himself’ ‘disgustingly greasy’) reflect Blanche’s influence on Stella
- sense of superiority both in her judgement (‘disgustingly’) and her commands: ‘go and’ ‘help me’ - higher expectations since Blanche’s visit?
- Stella giving commands shows Stanley’s loss of power, he throws the plate to reestablish it
‘[He hurls..’
‘[He hurls a plate to the floor.]’ - SD (stanley)
- an attempt to regain his authority
- display of emotion, he’s effected by the comments (‘vulgar’ ‘a pig of himself’ ‘disgustingly greasy’)
‘[He seizes…] Don’t ever talk…’
‘[He seizes her arm.] Don’t ever talk that way to me! Pig - Polak - disgusting - vulgar - greasy! 0 them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here!’ - Stanley
- understandable reaction given the comments they’ve been making
- Stella has been slowly changing and regaining a level of superiority over Stanley
‘What do you think you…’
‘What do you think you two are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said - ‘Every man is a king!’ And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!’ - Stanley
- feels inferior, trying to regain power
- Huey Long was popular with the lower classes because he wanted to tax the rich, he represented the working class (especially white men)
‘And I am the king around here…’
‘And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it! [He hurls a cup and saucer to the floor.] My place is cleared! You want me to clear your places?’ - Stanley
Stella-Stanley contrast in scene 8
- Stanley appears violent, commanding, and powerful where Stella appears vulnerable (her pregnancy is in the forefront of our minds, especially at the end of the scene)
- ‘hurls’ ‘seizes her arm’ ‘I am the king around here’ ‘ripping off’
- ‘begins to cry weakly’ ‘shakes her head helplessly’ ‘slow, shuffling progress’
‘[Stella begins to…’
‘Stella begins to cry weakly. Stanley stalks out on the porch and lights a cigarette.’
- the distance and contrast between Stella and Stanley is clear here, she seems vulnerable and stays still whilst he ‘stalks’ away
‘What did he…’
‘Nothing…’
‘What did he tell you, Stella?’ - Blanche
‘Nothing, nothing, nothing!’ - Stella
- her repetition conveys a desperation for Blanche to drop the subject
‘I think he told… You know why…’
‘I think he told you something about Mitch and me! You know why Mitch didn’t come but you won’t tell me!’ - Blanche
‘Stella shakes her…’
‘Stella shakes her head helplessly.’ - SD
- she seems more and more powerless: ‘I wish you wouldn’t.’ (can’t physically stop her anymore)
‘[She rushes to the… Stella goes…’
Blanche ‘rushes to the phone in the bedroom. Stella goes out on the porch and stares reproachfully at her husband. He grunts and turns away from her.’
