Streetcar Named Desire - Quotations Flashcards
“(He ___ to the small ___ radio and ___ it ___ the table. With a ___ ___, he ___ the ___ out the window)”
Stella: “___ ___ Drunk – ___ thing you”
“(Stanley ___ after Stella)” “(there is a ___ of a ___)”
“(He crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table. With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out the window)”
Stella: “Drunk – Drunk – animal thing you”
“(Stanley charges after Stella)” “(there is a sound of a blow)”
The stage directions in this poker scene implies that Stanley hit Stella even though she is pregnant. This happens after Stella yells at Stanley in front of his friends and calls him drunk - effectively portraying the themes of violence, conflict and masculine dominance. The verb “crosses” portrays Stanley short temper as he instantly reacts to the turning on of the radio. The adjectives used to describe the ‘small white’ radio depicts how Stanley gets so violent over such a small, innocent object. This statement is further supported through the dynamic verb ‘snatched’ emphasising the conflict Stanley causes over as object as simple as a radio. The verb ‘shouted’ increases the tension within this scene, foreshadowing violence. The repetition is Stella’s speech, “Drunk - drunk” supports the point that Mitch made about how poker should not be played in the presence of women. The multiple dashes in her speech could suggest hesitation as it slows the pace at which it is exclaimed. Stella may have hesitated to react with this statement as she knows that a consequence may arise - Stanley acting violently. The animalistic imagery implied by Stella emphasises Stanleys violent nature. The dynamic verb within the stage directions “(Stanley charges after Stella)” implies that he has hit her, establishing Stanley’s toxic control and dominance over his wife. Stanley is reinforcing his role as the dominant male in the relationship. The domestic violence within this scene could foreshadow violence to continue throughout the play, cumulating in the rape of Blanche.
“___, you can ___ me, and I said to ___ up!”
“Well, you can hear me, and I said to hush up!”
The exclamation ‘well’ used at the beginning of Stanleys speech clearly portrays his expression of anger and frustration, establishing a tense environment and tone. Stanley reasserts his control over Stella and Blanche by preventing them from talking during their poker night. The exclamative at the end of his sentence emphasises his anger and reiterates how he is viewed as the antagonist within the play.
”(___) sit down___”
“___ for God’s sake, go ___, ___ ___”
“(Yelling) sit down!”
“Aw for God’s sake, go home, then!”
Stanley is not only violent towards women (his pregnant wife and Blanche) but also to his friends when the stage direction suggest that he’s “(yelling)” at Mitch to “sit down!”. The harsh imperative and short sentence once again establishes Stanley as a dominating character, proving that he has full control in this environment. Stanley’s impatience heightens throughout the poker scene to the point where he exclaims “Aw for God’s sake, go home, then!”. The fact that Stanley gets agitated over Mitch wanting to go take care of his mother proves that Stanley fits into the stereotypical view that men have no tolerance for emotion or sensitivity. The exclamation ‘aw’ at the beginning of his speech indicates high volume which aids in conveying Stanleys irritation.
In which scene does the poker night occur?
Scene 3 and 11
This suggests a possible cyclical narrative - scene 3 is roughly the beginning of the play and scene 11 is the ending of the play.
“(Stanley gives a loud ___ of his ___ on her ___)”
Stella: “(___) that’s not ___, Stanley”
“(Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh)”
Stella: “(sharply) that’s not fun, Stanley”
Stanley is playing the stereotypical role of the husband who feels like he owns his wife and therefore can treat her in any way he wants. Stanley is presented as sexually possessive when he strikes her on the thigh. This sense of male dominance is reinforced by Stella’s ineffective response, and the laughter of the other men at the table only serves to further accentuate the passive role of women in the play. The dynamic verb ‘whack’ emphasises the brute force at which he hit Stella, emphasising his violent nature. The noun ‘thigh’ suggest that Stanley is being sexually possessive and hints towards his high sexual desire further in the play - this sexually violent action could foreshadow Blanches rape. The adverb sharply could indicate that Stella was in physical pain after her husband hit her, which enlarges the tragedy behind domestic violence as the other men present within this poker scene laughed after Stella reaction.
”(Her eyes go ___ with ___)”
”(Her eyes go blind with tenderness)”
After Stanley hits pregnant Stella (Mitch implies it wasn’t the first time) she decides to return to him. The adjective ‘blind’ refers to Stella being unable to see the explosive nature of the relationship she is in. A modern audience may vividly identify the tragic dynamic of Stanley and Stella’s relationship as the noun ‘tenderness’ implies that she completely disregarded the domestic violence she has just experienced. The theme of pleasant dreams vs ugly reality is explored here.
“(The ___ audible ‘blue piano’ begins to ___ up ___)”
“(caught in a trap)”
Stanley: “wouldn’t be ___ to ___ ___ with…”
“(he picks up her ___ figure and carries her to the bedroom)”
“(The barely audible ‘blue piano’ begins to drum up louder)”
“(caught in a trap)”
Stanley: “wouldn’t be bad to - interfere with…”
“(he picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bedroom)”
Stanley blocks Blanche’s path to the door and she can sense that she’s “caught in a trap” foreshadowing conflict to come.
Blanche breaks a bottle to use as a weapon but Stanley manages to subdue her emphasising his masculine strength. The scene ends with the implied rape of Blanche as Stanley carries “her inert figure” to the bedroom. Williams uses the ‘blue piano’ to represent Stanley’s social class, the blue collar working class. The reference to Stanley’s social class is significant as he is following the stereotype of a brute working class male. The ‘blue piano’ foreshadows tragic events, therefore, once heard by the audience, a feeling of sympathy may be experienced. In this case, the blue piano foreshadows the eventual rape of Blanche. The dash causes a pause within Stanley’s speech which accumulates tension within this scene. The ellipsis enhances the disturbing and disgusting act that is about to happen to Blanche. The adjective describing Blanches body ‘inert’, emphasises Stanley physical dominance over her which increases the tragedy within this scene as Blanche is completely helpless and vulnerable.
In which scene is it suggested that Stanley rapes Blanche?
End of Scene 10
Blanche: “I think i will ___”
Stella: “___”
Blanche: “My nerves are in ___. Is the bathroom ___?”
Blanche: “I think i will bathe”
Stella: “Again”
Blanche: “My nerves are in knots. Is the bathroom occupied?”
The fact that Blanche requires a bath again suggests that she might have the need to subconsciously wash something away. By Blanche constantly bathing, the act suggests that the bathroom is the only place in the house where she can fantasise about the way she wishes the world to be (for it to be beautiful, aristocratic, for her to be young, etc) without having to face the truth.
Even in the house itself, we constantly see her being alarmed by noises from outside, e.g. the vendor, and it is as if she has to seek sanctuary from this invasive truths in the bathroom.
Bathing is also explored with Stanley’s character. After the disturbing event of Stanley hitting his wife, Mitch orders to “put him under the shower,” demonstrating that bathing is used to refresh, cleanse and purify. Stanley comes out the shower sober as he realizes that Stella has left him.
By Blanche bathing, the genre of tragedy is emphasised as the bathroom is the only safe space for Blanche to escape reality. The adverb ‘again’ implies that Blanche is in constant need to wash away the guilt she is experiencing about her past, causing the audience to feel sympathy. The metaphor ‘my nerves are in knots’ supports the fact that Blanche uses bathing as a coping mechanism when her harsh reality sets in. Blanche craves ‘magic’ because “the truth about post-war America is too harsh to bear”. The theme of dreams vs reality is explored through the motif of bathing.
“Put it over the ___ bulb___ Will you ___?” … “I cant ___ a ___ light bulb, any more than i can a rude ___ or a ___ action”
“Put it over the light bulb! Will you please?” … “I cant stand a naked light bulb, any more than i can a rude remark or a vulgar action””
The imperative sentence, aimed towards Mitch, supports the fact that Blanche comes from an upper class background where she was used to ordering people around to do things for her. Blanche’s imperative request is followed by a polite adverb in order to blend in with the working class society. Through the metaphor “I cant stand a naked light bulb”, Blanches reluctance to light could be an attempt to hide her true age and deteriorating beauty - the naked light is unflattering and may reveal flaws that she might not want Mitch to notice. Metaphorically, Blanche feels that light will reveal her past; the light reveals the truth she tries to hide. The bright naked light could also symbolise the harsh and rough society, one that is beneath her and looking down on her. This contrasts Stanley and his embrace of all that is colourful and loud. Blanches avoidance of light is evident within scene 3 - the poker scene. “vulgar action” could be suggested to foreshadow Stanleys violet outburst towards the end of this scene.
Blanche: “Im ___!”
Mitch: “Ho-ho! Theres ___ to be scared of”.
Blanche: “Im terrified!”
Mitch: “Ho-ho! Theres nothing to be scared of”.
Blanche is playing the weak, frightened female role while Mitch takes the role of the fearless, protective male. He is protective over Blanche as this line is intended to reassure her. The genre of tragedy is emphasises as it reveals how common domestic violence is in Elysian Fields and how accustomed people have become to it. The audience get a positive first impression of Mitch.
Ecphonesis “ho-ho!” proves that Mitch is used to violence that goes on in Elysian Fields. The tragedy is stressed as this suggests that domestic violence is common and occurs regularly.
Identify the significance of Blanche making these statements:
Blanche: “Im very adaptable - to circumstances.”
Blanche: “That one seems - superior to the others”
Blanche: “Im very adaptable - to circumstances.”
Blanche: “That one seems - superior to the others”
Blanche comes from a high social standing and is not used to the kind of men that she encounters while staying with Stella. The loss of the Du Bois’ family home and wealth forces Blanche to lower her usual standards, explaining why she may find Mitch attractive. She feels that he is “superior” to the others, proving that she still does retain an aristocratic attitude by judging people based on their status. It is evident that Blanche desires male attention and high social rank.
Identify the significance of the following stage directions -
Blanche: “(Singing in the bathroom)”
Blanche: “(Singing in the bathroom)”
Blanches attempt to fabricate an alternative reality. She retreats to the bathroom/bath to escape her harsh reality.
Identify quotational evidence supporting Stella and Stanley’s destructive nature of desire in scene 3
“Low animal moans” - Scene 3
Physical love being destructive is revealed with the reunion of Stella and Stanley after he abused her. It is disturbing that after Stella experienced such a horrific violent act, her love is so strong that she goes back to Stanley, illuminating this slightly insane side of physical animalistic love.
Stanley: “Stella ___ My baby ___ left me! …. I want my ___”
“(Stanley with a heaven ___ ___) - “STELLAHHHH!”
“(he falls onto his knees and ___ into sob)”
Stanley: “Stella! My baby doll’s left me! …. I want my baby”
“(Stanley with a heaven splitting violence) - “STELLAHHHH!”
“(he falls onto his knees and breaks into sob)”
This contrasts how Stanleys was represented as a violent, ill tempered man earlier in scene 3 - he is in a vulnerable state. However, the audience may not feel sympathy as they had just seen him hit Stella. An example of Stanley’s extreme behaviour - this time an extreme regret. The several exclamative within his speech, stressing his sorrowful emotion, paints Stanley as a pathetic male, further contrasting his usual self. Dynamic verb “falls” portrays his physical weakness within this scene, emphasising the severe switch and contrast in Stanleys character at the beginning of this scene (3).
Stella: “You ___ your hand on me and ill ___”
Stella: “I want to go ___, i want to go away ___”
Stella: “You lay your hand on me and ill -“
Stella: “I want to go away, i want to go away!”
Stella is standing up for herself and threatening Stanley, however, the pause within her speech, suggested by the dash, reveals her fear (of Stanley) and undermines any sense of real authority. Stella represents the oppression of women present in America at the time. When Stella exclaims that she “wants to go away” she is defending herself and by doing so, gaining the upper hand over Stanley - painting her in a situation of power. However, she could also portrayed as weak because she forgives Stanley and returns home with him in Scene 3.
“Im not ___ to having more than one ___”
“Im not accustomed to having more than one drink”
This obvious lie presents Blanche an alcoholic and shows how she lies to preserve her image as a dainty feminine figure. This suggests that Blanche is attempting to maintain a clean image and does not reflect her true character.
Identify the significance of Mitch’s statement:
“I guess we strike you as being the rough bunch”
Proves that Mitch is self aware, thus making him seem more superior to the other men.
“___ should not be played in a ___ with ___”
Mitch is portrayed as sensitive as he appears to be aware that there are rules about behaviour that should be followed and some things that should not be done in front of women. Mitch’s behaviour is in line with/follows the values of the aristocratic society which Blanche represents - suggests that those values are not completely lost in the new world of Elysian Fields.
Suggest the significance behind Blanches imperative statement: “Wait till I powder before you open the door.”
“Wait till I powder before you open the door.”
This is evidence that Blanche is overly obsessed with her image and with her appearance and shows how superficial she can be. Make up creates a false appearance, emphasising how Blanche is living in a made up/fantasy world of illusion - the true harsh reality would ruin her.
Identify the significance of the following quotation: “Dont play so ___” “(he kicks the ___ partly ___)”
“Dont play so dumb” “(he kicks the trunk partly closed)”
Within scene 2 the conflict between masculine males vs delicate dependent females are established. Stanley is seen as a stereotypical male; dominant and employs imperatives when speaking to Stella and Blanche. He is blunt towards Blanche using monosyllabic words “Dont play so dumb” - he is already unable to tolerate her, foreshadowing the rise in conflict between the Blanche and Stanley. Stage directions shows him ransacking through Blanches belongings.
May be a stretch but by Stanley kicking Blanches trunk, which symbolises her fantasy made up world as it contains costume jewellery and fake furs, it could foreshadow how Stanley become the only person to see through Blanches facade of her made up reality. Could also symbolise how Stanley becomes a figure that prevents Blanche from living her imagined/fantastical world - he bring reality to her.
Identify the significance of the following quotations from Scene 3:
“The Kowalskis and the Dubois have ___ ___”
“I have a ___ for us both, to get us both ___ ___”
Stanley: “The Kowalskis and the Dubois have different notions”
Blanche: “I have a plan for us both, to get us both out!”
“The Kowalskis and the Dubois have different notions” emphasises the difference between in social class. The lower class is emphasised by the immigrant surname “Kowalski” which contrasts the French name “Dubois”, having connotations of power, wealth and aristocracy. However, the declining of the upper class society is subtly suggested through the loss of “Belle Reve”. Furthermore, the idea that Stella adopted Stanleys last name emphasises how the power of the upper class (signified by last name Dubois) has begun to deteriorate, as Blanche is the only member left of the Dubois family. Overall, Stella and Stanley seem to be fighting for control over Stella and the fact that in the end Stanley wins, reveals how the vigorous working class is the new source of power in America. “Notions” - plural noun (meaning values/ideas/norms).
Blanche is appropriately outraged about the domestic violence which Stella seems to accept as the inevitable downside of life with Stanley. This further emphasises the contrast of the two different social classes and what they view to be ‘acceptable’.
Identify what Williams is subtly implying when Blanche says: “Literally ___ gold in his pockets”….”Hes ___”
“literally spouting gold in his pockets”….”Hes common”
Blanche speaks about how she admires Shep Huntley because of his upper class status, explaining that there is “spouting gold in his pockets”. In contrast she expresses her low and demeaning opinion of Stanley, claiming “he’s common”, depicting him as a caveman. The contrasting ways in which she speaks of the two men and the distinct opinions she has of them further increases the contrast between the two classes in scene 4.
Adjective ‘common’ = a lack of taste, education, and good manners.
“What you talking about is ___ ___ —just—___! The name of that ___ street-car that ___ through the ___, up one old ___ street and down another…”
“it brought me - where im ___ ___ and where im ___ to be”
Throughout the play, Williams makes reference to the physical desire which keeps Stella and Stanley together. Evident in scene 4, the morning after Stanley hit his pregnant wife, Blanche cannot believe that Stella slept with Stanley “What you talking about is brutal desire”. Its becomes clearer that Stella is thrilled by Stanley’s sexual desires, which clearly heightens Stella’s desire for him. This also portrays the control Stanley has over his wife. Blanche makes reference to the streetcar named desire which connotes how she feels desire leads an individual to the wrong places “it brought me - where im not wanted and where im ashamed to be”. Williams foreshadows the deterioration of Blanches character as a result of desire. The several dashes within Blanche’s speech slows down the place at which it is being said, suggesting that she is speaking genuinely and truthfully.
The described path that the streetcar takes could metaphorically mimic Blanches journey through life - she started off privileged and happy but after her husbands death, things went ‘down hill’ which is when she was brought to Elysian Fields.
Identify the significance of Blanche’s statement: “___ someone with a ___ dollars”
“Meet someone with a million dollars” reveals that Blanche is reliant on men and she stresses the importance of materialistic and monetary objects. Her main concern is money, saliently portraying her upper class upbringing. The fact that Blanche has to live with the Kowalski’s as she has no money, portrays the declining superiority of the upper class. Blanche represents the role of women born into a patriarchal society.
“Darling ___. I am spending the ___ on the ___, making flying ___ here and there. And who knows, perhaps i shall take a flying ___ to ___ down on ___!”
“Darling Shep. I am spending the summer on the wing, making flying visits here and there. And who knows, perhaps i shall take a flying notion to swoop down on Dallas!”
Blanche is clearly lying about her situation over the past few months. The audience would find Blanches lies pathetic as she is attempting to seduce a millionaire to help her situation. Alternatively, the audience could feel sympathy towards Blanche as it is evident that she is unable or unwilling to to admit that she can no longer take part in the indulgences of wealth such as “spending the summer on the wing”. Williams creates a reoccurrence of the idea that females are dependant on men for financial security. Blanche lies in order to establish the facade of a genteel life, hoping that the lie will maintain the illusion of their aristocratic status. It is clear that Blanche’s sense of string fantasy stops her from overcoming reality.
Identify the name of Blanche’s “high school sweet heart”
Shep Huntley - a millionaire (married) involved with the oil business in Texas
Identify a moment in the play where Blanche lies to Stanley to uphold her reputation
In scene 5, Stanley interrogates Blanche about a man named Shaw, “Do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?”, that he says used to meet her at the “Hotel Flamingo”. “(Her face expresses a faint shock…. she answers carefully)” and Blanche denies ever having entered the hotel. Stage directions suggesting her nervous appearance indicate that she is once again lying to mask her questionable past. By Stanley attempting to unsettle Blanche through an interrogation, it is clear that Stanley is the first character to see through Blanche’s ‘facade,show/act’ as he acquires information about Blanches past from Shaw.
Identify a moment in the play that portrays Blanches desperate and strong sexual urges.
Scene 5 when she encounters the newspaper boy. She encounters the newspaper boy in S5 and then goes on a date with Mitch in S6 - the excess in male attention is what she desires.
Identify the significant of the characters Shaw and Shep.
Shaw , unseen throughout the play, knows about Blanches past and reputation and tells Stanley this information to use it against her. In contrast, Shep represents the intrusion of unwelcome realities/truths into Blanches life. Shep makes up Blanches imagination, whereas Shaw reveals the truth about her past.
Identify other occurrences, apart from Stella and Stanley, of domestic violence within the play
Eunice and Steve in scene 5
