What could the motif of Blanche bathing herself be symbolic of?
- Her washing away her sins.
- Wash away death/ suffering experienced.
What is the purpose of blue piano and how does it relate to theme of old and new, significance of it being “perpetual?”
- Blue Piano = music of New Orleans (New South.)
- “perpetual” so power of New South over Old South (reminder of destruction of The Old South.)
Overall, what happens in first part of scene 2?
- Discussion between Stanley/ Stella.
- Stanley annoyed that he cannot make money from Belle Reve (Blanche took the money - supposedly.)
- Stella tells Stanley not to mention the pregnancy.
How does 3- part structure of scene create tension for audience?
- Dramatic irony
- Secrets being unfolded between characters.
- Change in mood between different parts in the scene creates tension.
How is Stanley described to be opening Blanche’s suitcase?
- “hurls” and “jerks” open Blanche’s suitcase. Animalistic/ unhinged imagery.
- Shows his aggressive nature in symbolically unveiling Blanche’s secrets.
- Shows how much money matters to Stanley/ how infuriated he is that he lost it.
What is the purpose of Stanley’s hyperbolic language when he opens Blanche’s wardrobe? Give examples.
- “treasure chest of pirate.”/ “diamonds, a crown for an empress!”
- Williams showcases how Stanley views Blanche as a villain (pirate) who steals things.
- Stanley saying that Blanche has layers to her/ secrets (she could be anything under her facade.)
- Mocking tone to Blanche (looking down to her.)
How is Blanche and Stanley’s dialogue juxtaposed? give examples (inc. from scene 1) Siginificance of this?
- Blanche –> a lot more educated(“ghoul- haunted woodland of Weir” - lines of gothic poem- english teacher) / proper when she speaks. Sly/ flirtatious (uses manipulative language.) Long sentences.
- Stanley –> coloquial language used (very simple sentences.) “Are you gonna shack up here?”
- Shows stark differences between Old and New South in upbringing. Short/ simple sentences.
What is The Napoleonic code mentioned? Significance of Stanley making reference to this?
- The idea that everything that belongs to a wife will belong to her husband as well.
- Stanley = representative of New South / doesn’t want anything to do with Old South (unless it benefits him clearly!)
- Conflict between Old and New South conveyed even in character representative of New South.
Why is Stanley so fixated on him getting his share of land?
- He is a Polish immigrant.
- Wanted to fulfil The American Dream and this is his way of doing it.
How is the romance of The Old South portrayed? Context?
- Blanche describes the “admiration” she obtained in her youth/ the - - “poems written” (by her husband.)
- Old South -> women would be visited by “gentleman callers” (who would write letters/ go to woman’s home/ ask for marriage.)
- Very prim/ proper.
What is irony between the romance of The Old South and Blanche herself?
- Romance = very proper (in marriage.)
- But Blanche is very flirtatious with Stanley. Is she as prim/ proper as the romance in the South?
What is the significance of Stella being pregnant?
- Stanley is able to fulfil his American Dream.
- Baby will have Kowalski name not Dubois (beginning of New South/ death of Old South.)
What is significance of Blanche describing documents from Old South to be “thousands” over “hundreds” of years?
- Shows that Old South has existed for VERY LONG time.
Who does Blanche blame for the destruction of the South towards the end of this scene? Significance?
- Generations of men who exchanged land for “epic fornications” - sex.
- Shows that Belle- Reve was NOT a place of innocence.
What have critics Bentley and Boxill described Streetcar to be?
- Described Streetcar to be a “socio- historical drama” where Blanche/ Stanley are archetypes of theur cultures/ genders.
Significance of Stanley calling Blanche “sister Blanche.”
- Connotations of chastisity (like a nun) - but as we progress, it becomes obvious that she is NOT like this.
How is Blanche seen as manipulative towards Stanley in this scene?
- Says:” How do I look?”
- Wants Stanley to be distracted from asking any Q’s (but rather focussing on her body!!)
- Compliments Stanley calling him: “impressive.”
Significance of Stanley saying he has a “lawyer aquaintance” who can look over Blanche’s papers.
- Shows Stanley’s lack of education - unable to undertsand legal papers (he probably doesn’t even have a lawyer aquaintance!!)
What happens in part 2 of this scene?
- Blanche flirts with Stanley whilst he accuses her of selling Belle- Reve.
- Stanley takes apart Blanche’s suitcase and uncovers letters.
- Blanche describes the “admiration” she recieved in her youth.
- Blanche reveals that Belle- Reve was lost due to man letting go of land to partake in “epic fornications.”
What happens in part 3 of this scene?
- Blanche/ Stella are happy together, celebrating that Stella is going to have a baby!!
