A student answer on Scenes 4-8 of 'Streetcar'

What do Blanche and Stella talk about?                                                                                       In the beginning of this scene, Blanche addresses Stella about the previous nights events. Also, she tries to advise Stella that she doesn’t have to do everything he tells her too, “I won’t have you cleaning up for him”. This outlines the problems of the objectifying of women in those days, and that Stella has just forgiven Stanley for something which should be unforgivable, however she still decides to clean the house and act like nothing ever happened. As well as this, they discuss Blanche’s old friend ‘Shep Huntleigh’ – Blanche has an idea of “investment” surrounding this friend, and she informs Stella of her plans to set up a shop and earn millions.

What is Blanche trying to persuade Stella to do? – How successful is he in representing the changing relationship with the sisters? Find three quotes which show how Williams presents their relationship as a ‘power struggle’.                                                                                                 Blanche is firstly trying to persuade Stella to leave Stanley – “What were you thinking of”, shows Blanche’s disgrace about Stella returning to Stanley and not calling the police, as she thinks she would have done different if it was her. This highlights their difference in personalities, as Stella is quite forgiving and slightly naïve for going back to Stanley, however Blanche is very stern and if it was her then she probably wouldn’t have done the same. Blanche also says to Stella “In my opinion your married to a madman!”. A “madman” can refer to someone being mentally ill or very violent when unnecessary; therefore Blanche is making Stanley look like he has some mental condition in which Stella shouldn’t be forgiving. A way that Blanche tries to persuade Stella to leave Stanley is to go with her and become rich, using her friend ‘Shep Huntleigh’ as an easy way out – “We’ve got to get hold of some money, that’s the way out!”. Blanche seems to think that Stella will be easily persuaded by this offer, just because she is herself, however at the moment Stella doesn’t seem too sure.

            Williams represents the change in relationship between the sisters by emphasizing the anger in Blanche at the beginning of the scene with vocabulary such as, “answer me” and “you must have slept with him”. Blanche’s language here includes imperatives which highlights that she is telling Stella what she feels and she feels this is right. Also, “must” shows that she has distrust in Stella, because Blanche knows Stella has done what she would consider as the definite wrong thing to do. The contrast in their relationship is shown by Stella’s approach to the previous night’s events; “no it isn’t alright” and “but people do sometimes”. This shows that her personality is very different to Blanche’s as she decided to forgive Stanley after what he did, whereas Blanche feels it is completely immoral. Also, another contrast in their relationship is when Blanche mentions “but you’ve given in…you can get out”, and Stella replies “I’m not in anything I want to get out of”. Stella is obviously extremely happy living with Stanley and she fully trusts him to never hurt her again; however Blanche is showing worry for her sister as she truly believes he is a “madman” and she is “insane” for going back to him.

How is Stanley represented in this scene? What do you think William’s is saying about him?                                                                                            In this scene, before Stanley enters, the stage directions describe that he “hesitates” before he “calls through the closed front door”. The hesitation suggests Stanley knows Blanche is not going to be forgiving of his actions at first, and therefore does not want to make more of a stir in the household. After saying “Hiyuh” to Stella he asks ‘’Blanche back?”. This is very unusual as previously in the play, Stanley has never asked where Blanche is; he rarely acknowledges her also. I think Williams is saying that all of this is due to the fact he is trying to redeem himself from the previous night’s events, therefore he is being overly kind as he notices what he has done is wrong and unforgiving. Also, Stanley could be worried Stella is going to leave him after he “overhears” her and Blanche’s conversation, which is about him.

 

 

In Scene 5, Stanley begins to research about Blanche's past. Why does he do this you think? How does Williams present him in this scene? As curious? As invasive? Find THREE quotes which reveal that he is researching Blanche and analyse why he uses this language with Blanche.                                                                                                                                                 Stanley begins to research Blanche’s past as he wants her out of his home as soon as possible, therefore making him more invasive than curious. We don’t actually hear him say this but it is hinted in the subtext of the play, behind his dialogue and also the stage directions. For example he speaks to her “contemptuously”, which shows he has disrespect for her, and he doesn’t want to treat her like she’s of a higher class than anyone else. He is also quite sarcastic to Blanche in this scene “Shaw must’ve got you mixed up” – he knows that Blanche is the girl Shaw told him about, but he’s just agreeing with her for now. This is so Stanley can pretend he doesn’t know all about her background, so she doesn’t start to suspect anything.                                                                                                                                                            “Do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?” – This is one of the first questions Stanley asks about her background, and he already knows the answer so what Blanche says is irrelevant to him. I think he asks it anyway because he wants to see her reaction hoping that it is negative, because he wants her to worry and eventually leave because of the embarrassment as well as the sheer truth her past brings. Another way Williams reveals Stanley is researching Blanche is “Shaw must’ve got you mixed up. He goes in and out of Laurel all the time, so he can check on it and clear up any mistake”. This highlights Stanley’s sarcasm as well as his huge ego, as he is being very manipulative to try and force Blanche to confess the truth. However, he knows Blanche will not yet confess her real background/personality, so he repeats saying “mixed up” sarcastically to show that he hasn’t really got her mixed up, she is the exact person that Shaw is talking about – and they both know this is the truth.

Why does Williams slowly reveal more details about Blanche? What do you think was happening at the Hotel Flamingo? What is the audience beginning to discover about her? How do we feel about her now? Explain how our emotions towards her change from Scenes 1-5. What is Williams saying about the position of women in this society? Are they as powerful as men or not?
Williams slowly reveals more details about Blanche, as it creates a suspenseful and intriguing effect on the audience, because it makes them want to know what exactly happened in Blanche’s previous life, that she is so protective of letting out. It also gives the impression that Blanche is slowly believing things herself – in the beginning of the play she acted very upper-class and so she started to believe that was her life. Therefore, Williams slowly reveals the truth about Blanche’s life, to show she is remembering things at the same speed as the audience. The audience is beginning to discover that Blanche is not the rich and higher class lady she claimed to be at the start of this play. In fact, she is the complete opposite of this.                                                                                                                                                                  In scene one our emotions on Blanche are unsure, as we can tell she is evidently nervous and therefore finds a whisky bottle and “tosses it down” – this creates an immediate suspicion to Blanche as she has only just got to her sister’s house and is already drinking her alcohol. In scene two, we see Blanche is very distressed after telling Stella about the loss of Belle Reeve and her husband, showing she is still settling in to her new home but has just found the courage to admit to Stella the real reason why she is here. In scenes three and four we see Blanche disagreeing completely with Stella and Stanley’s relationship, and she believes he is a “madman” and she should have never accepted his apology. She also tells Stella she wants to run away with her to work with her friend “Shep Huntleigh” for money, as she believes this is for the best – however in previous scenes she said there was no-where to go and never mentioned her friend. Therefore, the audience start to figure out there is something not quite right with Blanche’s reasoning’s. In scene five, the audience’s attitudes would completely change regarding Blanche and her life stories, as we figure out that she stayed in the “Flamingo Hotel”, and was not as rich as she once told; making the audience no longer feel sorry for Blanche, but feel pity for Stella that she has had all of these lies thrown upon her.                                                                                                         Williams is saying that the position of men in society was higher than women, because when Blanche is trying to make everyone believe her no-one does. However nobody questions Stanley because he is the man of the house and therefore everybody trusts his opinion and facts are correct.

Creative response: write Stanley or Stella's diary based on what has happened so far in the play.
Dear Diary,

I don’t know what to think or do anymore. I was so thrilled when Blanche decided to come and stay with me! I thought we were going to tell each other everything we have missed since Belle Reeve, but it didn’t work out like that. She barely tells me anything, and when she does I feel so grateful, but I also feel like it’s never the whole truth. Blanche used to be so happy and positive about everything, but I guess she grew up. Stanley doesn’t like her – I can tell. He tells me it’s all ok one minute and the next he’s shouting at the top of his voice that we need to get her out. Sometimes I don’t know who to believe - my own sister who I haven’t seen since Belle Reeve, or my husband…the father of my child and the love of my life.                                                                                                                                 Stanley came back from work today, and all of a sudden Blanche started acting ever so weird around me. She kept asking me things like “What have you heard about me?” and “Haven’t you heard any–unkind-gossip about me?” I really wonder what she is going on about, because all I’ve heard about Blanche are the things she tells me – which isn’t a lot.       I’m worried about her…I really am…I guess I’m going to have to talk to Stanley about this because I think this place is driving her insane…Oh I better stop writing now, its Blanche’s birthday tomorrow and I shall have some time to speak to Stanley in the morning. I hope I can figure this out…

Stella

What do you think of this representation of the play in the short clip here? Is it as you imagine?                                                                                                                                                                           This short clip is very different to what I would have imagined, as Stanley seems much more aggressive and exaggerated than he comes across in the book. For example, when he knocks the tiara off her head he does this in a very rude and aggressive manner and at first it looks as though he is going to hit her – therefore creating a shocking impact on the audience. However, when we read the play Stanley’s anger doesn’t come across in the same way.

 

 

 

 

Scene 6

On the characters
Why does Blanche want to marry Mitch? List some reasons.
Why does Mitch have an interest in Blanche? What is his situation?

I think Blanche wants to marry Mitch because she’s lonely – even though she does not get on with Stanley, I think the truth is she is slightly jealous of Stella, due to the fact she is married with a child on the way, yet she is younger than her, and Blanche herself is not even married yet. Also, I think she is drawn to the fact Mitch is so manly but not at all like Stanley – he does not become aggressive easily and this appeals to Blanche, “you’re a natural gentleman”. Another reason why she may want to marry Mitch is because he is wealthy, and she needs money to find somewhere else to live. We can tell this may be the case, as she speaks with Stella about her friend “Shep Huntleigh” and how he can get them an immediate job working in a shop – showing she is desperate for some money and a job, or maybe just a distraction.

I think Mitch has an interest in Blanche, as she is quite hidden with her thoughts and feelings around him, and he is therefore interested in her suspicious nature. Also, his situation is that his previous lover died, and so he needs someone to comfort him and, because Blanche intrigues him he feels she the answer.

On the writer's techniques
Why does Williams show such a contrast between the language that Mitch and Blanche use? Find three or four quotes that illustrate the different ways they use language.

Williams shows a contrast between the way Blanche and Mitch talk and the way Blanche acts around everyone else, as she feels more attached to him on an emotional level. They both lost their lovers very young and are now looking to settle down in a new relationship, and even a marriage. Also, Blanche uses French a considerable amount of time around Mitch, as it is the ‘language of love’ – showing she is trying to persuade him to love her, “I want to create–joie de vivre!” A contrasting way Blanche uses differing language around Mitch is when she says “Now Mitch. Just because Stanley and Stella aren’t at home is no reason why you shouldn’t act like a gentleman”. This language is very formal, creating an effect that Blanche is trying to control Mitch; almost like a motherly-figure. This is very disturbing, because Blanche seems to be in love with Mitch; however she is much older than him and sometimes speaks to him like she is his mother. Blanche can also speak with Mitch using soft tones “I liked the kiss very much”, shows that when she tells him things regarding their relationship she is sincere and truthful – therefore highlighting she truly believes they are meant for each other.                                                                                                                                                                       
On the writer's purposes
Why did Williams create this scene between Blanche and Mitch?                                                     

Williams created this scene between Blanche and Mitch to show their differences in their relationship. How at one point they are discussing how Blanche believes he is a “natural gentleman” and “one of the very few that are left in the world”, to Blanche demanding him to “unhand” her. Williams creates these contrasts to highlight that their relationship may not be perfect between him and Blanche, but Mitch still respects her. This is shown when he demands to know Blanche’s age but she returns with “Why do you want to know”. Mitch respects the fact Blanche doesn’t want to tell him, because even though she is older than he really wants, he ends up not caring how old she is anyway – emphasising their strong bond as characters.

 

Scene 7

On the characters
Why is Stanley so interested in Blanche's past?
Why is Blanche so evasive -- i.e. she doesn't want to discuss things...?

Stanley is interested in Blanche’s past as he wants her out of his home as soon as possible. He therefore wants to find out as much information about her truthful, but hidden past, so he can reveal this to everyone, and show she is a liar and a fraud. Also, he is as curious as anyone else, but he is the only one that is brave enough to find out the truth, therefore he knows he will win everyone over when he is successful in this.

Blanche is very evasive, as she doesn’t want the truth about her past to be revealed, this is because she is worried and scared Stella will never forgive her and send her away, with no-where to live and no-one else to go to. This is showing Blanche’s sensitive side, as she has finally realised what she did previously was wrong, and now she doesn’t want her naïve actions to impact her future.

On the writer's techniques
Why does Stanley use such blunt language? Quote and analyse.
Why does Blanche use such vague language? Quote and analyse.
Why and how does Williams make things more tense in the household?

Stanley uses such blunt language, such as “same old lines”, “same old act” – showing he feels Blanche’s attitudes are repetitive and need to stop now, because she is fooling everyone of a character that she is not. He says this in such bluntness, as he feels he needs to get his point across like this, otherwise Stella will not listen to him – she is her sister, and so Stella will not believe him, unless she is persuaded that Stanley is telling the whole truth. “She’s not going back to teach school” – Stanley uses such tactful and insensitive language to tell Stella the truth easier, as he is telling Blanche’s stories straight and to the point. He doesn’t drag the stories out, so he doesn’t end up hurting Stella’s feelings even more.

Blanche uses such vague language in this scene, because she is trying to protect herself from revealing any more information to Stanley, which he can use against her. This is because she is also protecting Stella’s feelings, and she has a perception that they are talking about her “You have such a strange expression on your face!” Another reason why Blanche uses ambiguous language is because she doesn’t feel like she is the same person, ever since Stanley revealed how much he knows about the whole truth of her previous life experiences. Therefore, she feels like she should act more relaxed to try and find her inner feelings – “I feel so good and cool–and rested”.

Williams makes things much more tense in the household, due to the fact each character in this scene are feeling varied emotions. Stanley is clearly irritated by Blanche’s presence and is keen to get rid of her, “loco-nuts”. However, Stella feels perplexed and dismissive about Blanche’s past and doesn’t want to believe anything Stanley is saying about her, “It’s pure intervention! There’s not a word of truth in it”. This is because she has become connected to Blanche again, after not seeing her for a while, and therefore doesn’t want to let her go again. Blanche is very remote, as she doesn’t know what to think or feel anymore, because she is feeling very paranoid, “Something has happened”.

 

Scene 8

On the characters
Why is Stanley so angry with both Stella and Blanche?
Why has Stanley spoken to Mitch?                                                                                                                                                                                      
Stanley is angry with both Stella and Blanche as they are trying to act like nothing has happened, because it is Blanche’s birthday and they want to have fun for once. This also may be because Stella wants to enjoy Blanche’s company while she can. Williams presents Stanley’s fury towards Stella by his bluntness “I done nothing to no-one”. Stanley would use a negative tone towards Stella to highlight that he is truly annoyed that Blanche is still here and to show he wants Stella to change this immediately.  Williams shows Stanley’s resentment towards Blanche by his sarcastic tone, created by the language - “I’ve got a little birthday remembrance for you”. Stanley introduces his present to Blanche like this, as he wants her to know how much he wants rid of her from his household, and how he feels she is not welcome by him.                                                                                                                                                          Stanley has spoken to Mitch as he feels he needs another person on his side. He has tried to persuade Stella that Blanche leaving is for the best, but she is trying her hardest not to believe him; she has grown emotionally attached to Blanche and doesn’t want her to leave so soon. Another reason why Stanley has spoken to Mitch is as a result of their developing relationship with one another. He knows Blanche is in love with Mitch and wants to marry him, so Stanley has purposefully told Mitch so he no longer feels the same way.

On the writer's techniques
Why did Williams write this scene of "domestic tension", i.e. a scene which shows all the tensions about all three of them living together in a cramped apartment.

Williams writes this scene of domestic tension to create a sense of the whole household environment to the audience. This will also reveal to them the tension between each of the characters and why it is there. The reason why he wrote the scene to create these effects, was to show that the characters were all nearly at breaking point and near the end of the scene Stanley is the one that breaks – we see his anger again when he “hurls a cup and saucer to the floor” after all Stella said was to “clear the table”. This shows that the pressure was too much in the house, and he needed to let all of his frustration and bitterness out.