Summary Notes Flashcards
Scene 1
Stella goes to watch Stanley and Mitch bowling
Blanche arrives at Elysian Fields and waits inside for her sister
Stella returns and they greet each other
Blanche talks about losing Belle Reve and the deaths of her family members
Stanley meets Blanche; there is an awkward tension as it’s clear that they’re very different types of people
Blanche reveals her husband died when they were young
Scene 2
Blanche is bathing
Stanley demands to know what happened to Belle Reve
Stella attempts to defend Blanche
Stella leaves and Blanche finishes bathing
Stanley confronts Blanche, and Blanche attempts to flirt with Stanley
Stella’s pregnancy is revealed
Scene 3
The poker night: Stanley and his friends play poker, and are drinking
Stella and Blanche returns from an evening out
Blanche meets Mitch
Stanley becomes violent with Stella
Stella and Blanche retreat to the apartment upstairs
Stella returns to Stanley and they make love
Scene 4
Blanche and Stella discuss the previous night; Blanche is shocked at Stella’s acceptance of Stanley’s behaviour
Blanche criticises Stanley
Stanley is secretly listening to Blanche’s criticism
Scene 5
Upstairs, Eunice and Steve fight
Stanley hints at the knowledge of Blanche’s promiscuous past
Blanche flirts with a young man who collects newspaper subscriptions
Mitch arrives and they go on their date
Scene 6
Blanche and Mitch come back from their date
They have a conversation that highlights their differences
Blanche tells the story of how her husband committed suicide after she discovered him in bed with a man
Mitch comforts her and they discuss marriage
Scene 7
Months later; it is mid-September and Blanche’s birthday
Stanley reveals Blanche’s past to Stella
Blanche realises that there is a change in atmosphere
Scene 8
Stanley, Stella and Blanche celebrate the latter’s birthday with a meal; Mitch hadn’t arrived
Stanley becomes violent again, before presenting Blanche with a bus ticket back home as a supposed birthday gift
Stella complains at his cruelty, but then goes into labour
Stanley takes her to the hospital
Scene 9
Both Blanche and Mitch have been drinking
Mitch visits Blanche and tells her he knows about her past
Blanche tried to explain but he dismisses her and attempts to rape her
She shouts “Fire!” and he leaves
Scene 10
Scene 10
Blanche is in a drunken state; her mental instability is shown through her actions
Stanley returns home from the hospital and celebrates the birth of his child
Stanley uncovers Blanche’s true nature and proceeds to rape her
Scene 11
Stella packs Blanche’s suitcase; she does not believe the story of the rape
Blanche dresses in preparation for what she believes is a trip with an admirer
The Doctor and the Matron arrives
Both Stella and Mitch are distressed
Blanche is taken away
It is hinted at that Stanley has sex with Stella in an attempt to comfort here
