Streetcar - Siblings

Question 1

How does Stella act when she sees Blanche

Answer 1

‘Calling out joyfully’

Question 2

How does Blanche act when she sees Stella

Answer 2

‘Springs up and runs to her with a wild cry’

Question 3

Blanche dominating over Stella (little sister big sister)

+ stage direction when B tells S to stand up

Answer 3

‘You messy child’
Blanche tells her to stand up and Stella ‘complies reluctantly’
‘My precious little sister’

Question 4

Blanche mocking Stella’s home and Stella’s reaction

Answer 4

‘two rooms’

Two is in italics

Stella - ‘she is embarrassed’

Question 5

Blanche comparing her weight and Stella’s and then Stella reacting

Answer 5

Stella has to ‘watch the hips a little’ whilst Blanche says ‘I haven’t put on an ounce in ten years’

Stella describes Blanche as ‘incredible’ but she does it ‘wearily’

Question 6

Sibling relationship is ✨uncomfy✨ quotes

Answer 6

‘An embarrassed silence’

‘Laugh uncomfortably’

Question 7

Blanche accusing Stella of abandoning Belle Rêve

‘You left…’
‘Abandoned’
‘I fought..’

Answer 7

‘You left! I stayed and struggled.’
You ‘abandoned’ it, ‘Not I’
‘Fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it’ - rule of three, hyperbolic

Question 8

Stella defending Blanche

Answer 8

When Stanley accuses Blanche of ‘swindling’ them Stella calls him an ‘idiot’.

Backs Blanche up - they are her ‘inexpensive summer furs’

Context - typically would take side of your husband

‘Stupid and horrible’

Question 9

Quote about Blanche realising Stella has had baby

Answer 9

‘Dreamily’

Blanche briefly comparing Stella’s ‘perfect’ family vs her own life

Question 10

Stella and Blanche reaction to Stella pregnancy

Answer 10

‘Embrace’

‘Convulsive sob’

Question 11

Blanche making Stella feel insecure

Answer 11

“I was flirting with your husband Stella”

Question 12

Blanche description the morning after Stella returned to Stanley after he beat her

Answer 12

‘Sleepless night’
‘Appearance entirely contrasts to Stella’s’
‘Presses her knuckles nervously to her lips’

When she sees Stella
‘’Utters a moaning cry’
‘Hysterical tenderness’

Question 13

Blanche caring about Stella

Answer 13

When she sees Stella
‘’Utters a moaning cry’
‘Hysterical tenderness’

Question 14

Sibling tension when Blanche confronts Stella about returning to Stanley after he beat her

Monosyllabic quotes (both - back and forth)

Answer 14

‘No’
‘Stop it’
‘I,I’
‘Are you?’

Question 15

Stella reaction to when Blanche starts beefing about Stanley

Answer 15

‘Go on and say it all Blanche’

‘Coldly’ stage direction

Question 16

How does Stella act with Stanley in front of Blanche after Blanche has beefed about him

Answer 16

‘Embraced him’
‘Fiercely’
‘Within full view of Blanche’

Question 17

Stella encouraging Blanche that She will get Mitch

Answer 17

‘Kissing Blanche impulsively’

‘It will happen’

Question 18

Stella and Blanche Interaction when Stanley takes the phone call that Blanche thought might be from Mitch

Answer 18

‘Frightened look’
‘Stella leans over and touches her shoulder’
‘Keep your hands off me Stella’ - why do you give me that ‘pitying look’

Question 19

Where did Stella tell Blanche she was going?

Answer 19

‘To rest in the country’

Question 20

Stella questioning if sending Blanche a mental institution is the right thing quote

Answer 20

‘I don’t know if I did the right thing’

Question 21

Modern audience reaction to Stella siding with Stanley about rape

Answer 21

Shocked

Presented as a traitor to Blanche

Question 22

How does Stella talk to Blanche in the last scene?

Answer 22

Role reversal

Stella now talking to Blanche as though Blanche is the child ‘Hush! Hush!’

Question 23

Stage direction of Stella (fist) when matron enter

Answer 23

‘Presses her fist to her lips’

Same action as Blanche who ‘presses her knuckles to her lips’

Reminds us of their similarities and sibling relationship

Question 24

Stella broken syntax to Blanche in last scene

Answer 24

‘Sit down and…’

Ellipsis
Broken syntax reflecting broken sisterly relationship

Question 25

Stella reacting to Blanche being taken away at end of play (her regret)

Answer 25

‘What have I done?’
‘Oh god’
‘What have I done?’

‘Cries out’
‘Blanche! Blanche, Blanche’ - product of the patriarchy; if she had sided with Blanche her world would have come crumbling as well

Prayer desperation
Repetition of what have I done
Moment of anagnorisis

Question 26

Stella once Blanche has gone quote

Sob
Luxurious

Answer 26

‘Sobs with inhumane abandon’

And yet there is ‘something luxurious’ in the ‘complete surrender to crying’ - relief