Streetcar Named Desire Flashcards
“weathered grey”
Blanche, with her family falled from grace, is faded. Also continues motif of light and its representation of Blanched love.
“shabby french architecture”
Blanche’s fall from grace continues… but also a metaphore for Blanches French heritage- and the fall of the old south.
” red hots” “package of meat”
Cacophony of sound- semantic field of sex and lust. Theme of desire and associated with the entrance of Blanche, given her backstory of sex and shame.
” Delicate beauty must not avoid strong light”
Themes of masking age, themes of facades. Light is also a metaphore for love and life, in scene 6 Blanche uses light as a motif for love. This quote could indicate Blanches inability to feel love, she “avoids strong light”
“stella is pregnant” “napoleonic code” “ I have a … aqaintance “
Stanley reveals this to Blanche to exert power over her. He often uses knowledge and connections to “best” Blanche. His connections and ambition are a form of intelligence that contrasts Blanches classical studies. Here, there are themes of class differences.
“big clumsy feelings”
Blanches flirtation which she uses to disarm and survive off of the men she mets. The adjective clumsy connotes stupidity - Blanche is insulting Stanley.
” may I have a drag on your cigarette”
A form of flattery and flirtation. Studies show that asking for small favours makes a person more favourable.
“I like an artist who paints in strong, bold, primary colours”
Euphamism/ metaphor for sex. Blanche is romanticising sex, comparing it to art. Blanches comparisons to art and disconnection from reality (by the use of whimsical phrases and literary allusions throughout the text) show her disconnection or almost downright denial of her scandalous situation.
Stanley’s Holophrastic and unhedged dialogue
Connotes strength, dominance and indicates class differences between Blanche and Stanley. Stanley’s dialogue is the Antithesis of Blanches flowery language.
” lurches up”
Zoomorphism, links to dominance and classism.
” I haven’t noticed a stamp of genius”
Dehumanising Stanley.
“Kind of”
Mitch uses hedges, contrasts Stanley, shows compassion and softness.
“that one seems superior”
Blanche is dehumanising the men. Themes of class superiority or supposed superiority of different ethnic backrounds in 1950s America. Old vs new South.
Steve tells a joke- Stanley does not laugh.
Humour and popularity are used as a fight for dominance, Stanley does not wish to laugh at Steves’ joke because he wishes to maintain his position in the hierarchy. Zoomorphic because it is reminiscent of males fighting for dominance in other species.
” takes off her blouse… in the light through the porteries”
Performative, sexuality
” have you got any cigs” she asks Mitch. “ same old lines, same old act”
Blanche uses the same old lines on men, the same things she says to Stanley as she does to Mitch. Demonstrates the detatched, transactional, and scripted way she approaches romantic encounters.
“red satin”
Red the colour of evil, danger and lust. Double standards for Blanche and Stanley (“lay her cards on the table”)
Blue piano
musical motif for Blanche, at the end of season 3 when Stella leaves Blanche to meet Stanley. Desire is tearing them apart. The rivaley between Stanley and Blanche for Stella.
“bold colours” “gaudy”
Masculinity imposing its presence. an example of expressionism.
“Narcotisosed”
Stella’s adiction to Stanley, toxic cycle of abuse.
“spouting gold in his pockets”
Blanche sees the money, the way out, the opportinities.
“Stella draws away from her”
Difference between Stella and Blanche, Stella struggles against Blanches ideals and bellitlement of her.
“Shep Huntleigh”
represents the old southern gentleman, which juxtaposes the characters of Stanley. He is not seen because he represents an ideal, he is not seen because he is not in the same dire situation as Blanche and Stella.
“peal of laughter”
Aware of her own delusions - perhaps she is tired of her constant use of disguise to run from her desires and survive.
” fanning herself with a palm leaf” “entertainment, teas cocktails”
Lies, fantasy, and delusion. Blanche wishes to portray her stay with Stella as a holiday. She wishes to keep herself separated from the modern, mixed, and poverty stricken ways of her sister and Stanley.
“shimmering” “glow”
light as symbolism for hope or love? or exposure of Blanches nature.
” swoop down on” “ butterfly wings”
escape, fantasy.
” compiling a book”
Belittling to working class people. Maintains idea that Blanche is on holiday, removed from the life of New Orleans.
“laughs uncomfortably”
role reversal. Blanche is being masculine in her sexuality. Or is it double standards?
” so he can check on it and clear up any mistake”
Stanley is asserting power over Blanche by using his connections. Pushing against Blanches insults to his intelligence (end of scene 4)
“amusement park”
Juvenile, appearing to look younger. Also, it is the epitome of fun, but it isn’t for Blanche. She can’t push herself to feel enjoyment, just like she struggles to feel romantic connections.
Statuette of Mae west
Mae West was a sexual performer. it is a form of power. She used her sexuality for fame and money. Blanche attempts to use it for the same purpose, protection, and money. But Mae West appears as a ‘statuette’ symbolising her objectification. no matter the Blanches power that she wields in her appearance and sexuality, she still must have her “existence admitted”.
“la dame aux camille”
A story of a woman who wishes to confess the true events. Blanche wants to confess her true self. Maybe this disguise is weighing her down, tiring her (scene 5, I don’t know how much longer I can turn the trick)
“voulez- vous couchez avec moi, ce soir?”
Flaunting her sexuality without him knowing. she’s beginning to get tired of her facade.
“polka stops abruptly”
“minor key”
In Blanches head- music to express trauma.
Minor key in classsical music used to build tension.
Contrapunctional
having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together
“that girl calls me common”
“that girl” demeaning as punishment for humiliating him.
Paper moon
used to express Blanches duality, facade.
Dramatic iron
Blanches happiness compared to her life falling apart
“I’ll stop at 25”
Stella is Blanches’ moral support. She denies the accusations of Stanley.
