1

Scene 6The opening mood of this scene is downbeat and depressing. Mitch and Blanche’s date has been a failure.

2

Blanche’s Double Standards

• Her play-acting emphasises her need for make-believe situations (needs to pretend she’s proper and moral)

• Her recklessness is also apparent. She asks Mitch in French to sleep with her and when she speaks to him about her old fashioned ideas about women’s behaviour she rolls her eyes

3

Blanche on Love – Light and Dark Imagery

• When she fell in love her world was consumed by “blinding light” and when her husband died, “the searchlight was turned off again and never for one moment since has there been any light …”

• A lack of light has enabled Blanche to live a lie, but without light Blanche has lived without a clear view of herself and reality

4

• Blanche needs Mitch as a stabilizing force in her life

• If her relationship with him fails, she faces a world that offers few prospects for a financially challenged, unmarried, middle aged woman

5

• The polka music: the same music was playing when Blanche told her husband (just before his suicide) that he disgusted her

• When we hear the music in the play it shows Blanche is escaping into a fantasy world and remembering her greatest regret (guilt)

6

Scene 7• The cheerful mood of Blanche

singing in the bath and Stella arranging the birthday table is shattered when Stanley comes in with his details about Blanche’s past

7

SymbolismHer singing of “Paper Moon” – “ it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me” – symbolises that Blanche’s hopes of a future with Mitch rest in him believing her act.

8

BlancheAfter Belle Reve was lost, Blanche stayed at the Flamingo Hotel; they eventually kicked her out, on account of the endless string of male guests she entertained.

9

She lost her job teaching high school English because of an affair with a seventeen-year-old student.

10

• Mitch knows everything – Stanley has ruined any prospects Blanche had for security in her life.

• Mitch will not marry Blanche.

Scene Eight

This is a disjointed scene with changes of mood from embarrassment to violence, to a pathetic attempt at normality, to Stanley’s brutality, ending with Stella’s abrupt departure for the hospital.

Blanche

Stella’s departure to the hospital leaves Blanche alone in the apartment for the next two scenes with tragic results (danger)

Stanley• Stanley’s rude table

manners symbolise his primitive qualities and desire to upset Blanche and Stella

• Stanley smashing the plate symbolises his potential for violence

• Hates that Blanche still thinks she’s superior

• Gift to Blanche – a one way ticket back to Laurel – symbolises his cruel tendencies and his vicious nature

• “grunts”, “stalks” – remind us of his animalistic nature

• He feels that Stella has become insubordinate since Blanche arrived.

• Wants to establish his dominance by hurting Blanche.

• Stella can’t ask for help with chores or criticize – Blanche is giving her “ideas”

Polka Music

After Blanche receives the bus ticket she hears the polka again - shows that she is beginning to lose control again. Stanley’s cruel action has pushed her over the edge.

Scene Nine

Disintegration: Blanche is drinking heavily and the past (polka music) is pressing own upon her

Blanche• Motivation: surrounded by the

memories of her dead husband and dying members of her family, she felt so afraid of Death’s proximity that she sought the opposite - DESIRE

• To Blanche desire symbolises life, youth and everything that is pleasant

• Ironically Blanche dies inside as a result of her moral decay

“I don’t want realism…"I'll tell you what I want. Magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people".She lies from weakness, from immaturity, from a fear of reality. She tells Mitch that she speaks of the world as it ought to be, and as people would prefer it to be.

The liquor Blanche drinks is called “Southern Comfort”. Blanche has arrived in the southern states looking for comfort but neither the alcohol or her stay with Stanley and Stella are giving her any. Her journey to New Orleans was her quest for a new life.

At Laurel (she admits her lies):• The description of the

soldiers calling out her name from the lawn of Belle Reve (lurid and chilling)

• The story shows the depths of Blanche's loneliness and depravity; she sought comfort and protection in impossible places, with men who were only interested in one thing.

Alone at Belle Reve, and in all the beds she frequented - terrifyingly isolated. In her loneliness, her desires became more and more difficult to control, and more and more unhealthy.

Mitch• Mitch’s refusal to marry

Blanche show that she is no longer able to escape her past

• Mitch hurrying out of the apartment represents Blanche’s last chance for stability in her life disappearing – She asks him to save her, and he refuses.

The Paper Lantern• Represents the dressing up

of reality• Mitch tearing down the

lantern conveys that Stanley has already metaphorically “turned on the light for Mitch”, but now he wants the truth for himself.

• For Blanche light is a cruel enemy while darkness is kind (normally opposite symbolism)

DeathThe appearance of the Mexican flower seller symbolises the death of Blanche’s relationship with Mitch and all the death that surrounded her at Belle Reve.

This scene is the dramatic climax of the play

Throughout this scene Williams uses every means available to create an atmosphere of menace:-•opening stage directions – Blanche’s “soiled and crumpled” evening dress and her “scuffed silver slippers”

•When she breaks the mirror we are reminded that this brings bad luck

Scene Ten

•When Stanley turns on Blanche her terror takes on a visible form: “grotesque and menacing” shapes close in around her

• the ugly, violent scenes within the apartment are mirrored by the ugly, violent scenes on the street outside

• the effect of the “inhuman voices likes cries in a jungle” and sinuous shadows on the walls around Blanche create a shocking visual and sound (the horror of a man raping his sister-in-law while his wife is giving birth to their child)

• The way Stanley terrorises Blanche by shattering her self-delusions parallels and foreshadows his physical rape of her

• Animalistic body language – “snake”, “springs towards her”. He is described as more animal-like than human

• The jungle noises symbolise the primitive nature of Stanley and danger for Blanche

• Stanley is at his most triumphant ( just before the birth of his son) and she is at her most psychologically vulnerable - the ultimate act of cruelty

The Rape

• The rape symbolises the final destruction of the Old South’s genteel fantasy world symbolised by Blanche, by the cruel but vibrant present symbolised by Stanley

• In the new world of the South, animal instinct and common sense win out over lofty ideals and romantic notions

• Blanche’s silent resignation as Stanley carries her to the bed indicates the utter defeat of her will

• The setting illustrates that home is not a safe option for Blanche (danger in the street and apartment)

• The “lurid reflections” on the wall - the nightmare world that Blanche now finds herself in

• The blue piano music symbolises sadness and loss. All Blanche’s dreams have now been destroyed.

Symbolism

Our opinion of Stanley has changed greatly from the very beginning of the play

At the start he is more likeable and down to earth than Blanche. He lacks her pretension and he represents the new America where reward is based on merit and good work and not dependent on being born into fortunate circumstances

Blanche’s attempt to telephone to real world fails – this shows that she has completely lost touch with reality.

Scene 11 – Differences between the Poker Scenes •Stella has been crying

•All the poker players apart from Stanley have lost their boisterous good humour

•They rise in an act of courtesy when Blanche passes through the room

•Stanley again tears down the paper lantern. Blanche cries out as though in physical pain (symbolic replay of the rape).

Why is this scene particularly effective?•Gradually, the audience are made aware that Blanche is being committed to a mental hospital – in the dark, like Blanche

•Blanche’s quiet dignity at the end is in sharp contrast to her earlier displays of vanity and fussing over her appearance

•Blanche’s final words, “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” reveals the sad truth that there has been very little kindness in Blanche’s life

•Blanche’s behaviour towards the poker players conveys the way in which being raped by Stanley has scarred her. At the start of the play she performs for his friends, by the end she hides from their gaze and hopes they won’t notice her

Stella and Blanche• The roles of the two sisters reverse: Stella admits that she may have entered a world of make-believe (she cannot believe Blanche’s story about the rape and continue to live with Stanley)

• Must believe that the story of the rape is the invention of a mentally unstable woman. Blanche’s descent into madness saves Stella from the truth

• Another poker game (“seven card stud”) is about to commence - a symbol of the deception and bluffing that has taken place in the Kowalski house

• Everyone is going to move on: as the play ends, Steve is dealing a new hand (Blanche is forgotten).

• The image of Stanley and Stella together at the end symbolises Stanley has won – he is the triumphant victor

• Their relationship is now based on a series of lies and denial.

Desire

When Blanche arrives at Elysian Fields she is wearing white – white suit, gloves, bodice and pearl necklace and earrings. This represents her desire to be someone else. She wants to be perceived as a lady, covering the tainted past which is unknown at the start. She constantly associated herself with white, and is ‘moth-like’ –they are drawn to light, but it kills them, just as Blanche is drawn to something that destroys her.

Blanche’s constant bathing again represents her desire to cover up the past and be perceived as somebody else.

Blanche speaks of

her death in

a soliloquy describin

g how she

wants to die – at the end, she longs

for death.

Sexual Desire – when the sisters speak about sexual desire in Scene 4…Stella: Haven’t you ever ridden on that streetcarBlanche: It brought me here – where I’m not wanted and where I’m ashamed to be.

Music – The blue piano and polka music represent Blanche and Stanley’s constant need to be in control. Throughout the play, the prominence of both changes. Scene 2 – blue piano plays as Stanley arrives, and grows louder during the confrontation.

The spilt coke on Blanche’s skirt in Scene 5 is representing her stained reputation – Blanche’s desire to be clean is unobtainable, she is soiled, just as her skirt is. Also a sexual image – coke frothing over.

The colour red –Blanche often wears a red robe and the lantern she hangs is red. This is the colour of desire, but also blood and hate – linked to death. An allusion to her as a scarlet woman?

Title – The theme that dominates the play is contained within the title. Two streetcars – ‘Desire’, ‘Cemeteries’ – sums up Blanche’s life – desire will lead to death.

Elysian Fields – paradise for heroes after death. Is a fresh start for Blanche, and could find this here? But also linked to death.

Setting/Location –Words describing the setting of the play (contained within stage Directions) reflect Blanche – ‘faded whitestains’, ‘weathered’, and ‘decay’.

Lighting –In scene 3, despite her dislike of lighting, Blanche uses it to her advantage because she desires Mitch. She produces a coloured paper lantern and asks Mitch to put it up. This represents her desire for a fresh start, to recapture her innocence and love.

Scene 10 – Blanche is so desperate to go back in time her supposedly perfect relationship with Alan that she looses it, and starts dressing up. Stanley mocks her and rapes her. She can not take refuge in the past anymore.

Scene 8 – Stanley gives Blanche a bus ticket back to Laurel – the one place she can not go, but there is no place for her in Stanley and Stella’s future.Scene 9 – Blanche is drinking alone – that is her future. She can not live in the past anymore. Mitch is not her ‘knight’ anymore.

Scene 1 – Loss of Belle Reve, where Blanche and Stella grew up. Their past has been taken away. Blanche finds it hard to let go because Stella has Stanley (her future) whereas Blanche has no real future. Past and present clash when Stanley and Blanche meet.Scene 2 –, Stanley wants money for the future of his unborn child from the loss of Belle Reve – ‘A man has to take an interest in his wife’s affairs…especially when she is about to have a baby.’ Stella is moving on from Belle Reve, and leaving Blanche behind. There is a challenge between Stanley and Blanche – new and old.Scene 3 – Poker Night. Stanley resents Mitch’s interest in Blanche. She sees the potential in him, and asks him to put up the lantern, creating soft romantic lighting to make her appear younger. She is clinging to the past. Stanley and Stella’s relationship is more modern than Blanche’s need to a chevalier blanc.Scene 4 – Blanche is left out again, doesn’t understand Stanley and Stella’s relationship. Stella to Blanche – ‘you are making too much fuss about this.’ Blanche – ‘I don’t understand your indifference.Scene 5 Blanche’s past catches up with her. Stanley finds out about the Flamingo – scares Blanche. Blanche’s nature is that of a hopeless romantic, not self sufficient. She tries to seduce a boy – attempting to recapture her lost youth.

Scene 11 – Stella packs Blanche’s bags.

Poker night again – the presents still

carries on. Blanche thinks she is going on a cruise, still stuck in a romantic dream. As

Blanche leaves, Stanley comforts Stella with sex to

show that the past has not affected them and without Blanche,

life will go on.

Scene 6 – Mitch and Blanche’s evening fails because Blanche has to direct him. The only thing they have in common is death. Her romantic ideals are not working out. Blanche opens up about her past…Scene 7 – Blanche’s birthday dinner – she’s getting older. Mitch finds out about her past and it finally catches up with her when Stanley wins their latest battle.

Music – ‘blue piano’ – Stanley – future.

‘varsouviana polka’ – Blanche – past.

Transport – Train – Stanley – Future

Tram – Blanche – past.

Past and

Present

Fantasy

and

Reality

The Fight Between Fantasy and Reality

• The contrast between fantasy and reality is shown through the contrast between the main

characters, Stanley and Blanche.

• Stanley – modern man, blue piano, V Blanche – southern belle, varsouviana.

•The play culminates with Stanley gaining total control over Blanche. Reality ultimately

triumphs over reality.

• The lantern is a representation of Blanche’s reliance on fantasy to sustain herself. In Scene II, when Stanley rips off the lantern (another

triumph for reality), Blanche cries out ‘as if the lantern was herself’.

• Abortive telephone calls also show Blanche’s reliance on a fantasy – they are her ways of calling to the outside for help, and they drag

her into reality.

Reasons Blanche deceives herself

• Her experiences – the death of Alan, loneliness as she cared for

dying relatives, loss of Belle Reve.

• Age/insecurity ‘my looks are slipping’.

• Loss of chivalric code – men no longer respect her. ‘Men don’t – don’t even admit your existence unless they are making love to you – loneliness, and a need for

human contact.

Signs that Blanche deceives herself

• ‘My ‘Rosenkavalier’ – creating a fantasy that Mitch is her white knight.

• Paper lantern - ‘I can’t stand a naked bulb’ – her looks are fading, and so she

can not see herself in harsh light.

• Her plan to escape, formed with ‘kleenex and an eyebrow pencil’ – she

deceives herself into believing it is more than a superficial fantasy.

• Her clothes – ‘not diamonds, but rhinestones – next door to glass’.

• Bathing – trying to make herself feel pure again, bathing helps with this, but

it is a façade – does not last.

Other characters deceiving themselves

• Stella deceives herself. She chooses not to believe her sister –’I couldn’t

believe her and go on living with Stanley…’

• She reads ‘coloured comics’ – a childish regression into a black and

white fantasy world.

• Stanley deceives himself when he says ‘it’s gonna be alright again

between you and me, the way that it was…’ Things can never go back to

the way they were before.

• Mitch lets himself be deceived by Blanche about his appearance and

their connection’.

Signs tat Blanche deceives others

• Blanche wants ‘magic’ and tells ‘what ought to be the

truth’.

• Gives Mitch the impression that she is pure, but is really a cheap seductress (promiscuous

past) – e.g.. she ‘moves indolently‘ ‘into the streak of

light’ so that the men at Stanley’s poker night may see

her change clothes.

• Lies about Shep Huntleigh

• Her clothes are a deception – looks fine, but are cheap

rhinestone and fox fur, nothing luxurious.