Important+Quotes+for+Streetcar

// Streetcar // Quote Activity

In pairs, review your annotations and discuss what you think are some of the most important quotes you highlighted as you read. Then, complete the following (you may handwrite or type your responses). For Blanche, Stella, Stanley and Mitch, choose 3 quotes (dialogue, not stage directions) that are **most telling about each character. This means three quotes PER character.** 1)Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “I don’t want realism, I want magic. Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don’t tell the truth. I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it!” (pg 117) - This quote represents how Blanche wants her fantasy world to be reality so that her old, bad reputation never existed, her youth is restored, and her Old South ideals are upheld. The magic is her fantasy and fibs, but realism is the truth about her past and the world that the rest of society lives in. She desperately tries to make everyone believe her fantasy, but in the end all she can do is retreat to it as society rejected her.
 * 1) **Blanche:**

2) Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “Whoever you are- I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” (pg 142) - This quote represents the theme of male dependency, and dependency in general, throughout the novel. Blanche and Stella were both dependent on men for happiness in their life. Blanche also depended on other people’s praise and help to make herself feel elevated in society. She wants to be in this elevated position, and would be if she were able to live in her fantasy world and on her plantation in the Old South time period. Her dependency on men and her tactics to finding a husband led to her downfall.

3) Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “It is a Barnum and Bailey world, Just as phony as it can be, --But it wouldn’t be make believe, if you believed in me” (pg 99) - This quote represents that Blanche perceives the real world as crazy and cannot understand it; thus, she would rather live in her fantasy world. Everything in life would be fine and stable if others believed her fibs and lived in her fantasy. However, as she sings this song, Stanley is revealing Blanche’s past to Stella. Her past catches up to her and eventually the lies supporting her fantasy to those around her fall down.

4) Melissa & Lauren "He acts like an animal, has animal habits... Yes something- ape-like about him... don't hang back with the brutes." (.g 72) - Blanche is very judgmental and hypocritical when she shouldn't be the one to talk. She has such a bad reputation already who is she to judge others, as she constantly does throughout the novel.

5.) Melissa & Lauren "I was never hard or self-sufficient enough. When people are soft- soft people have got to shimmer and glow... it isn't enough to be soft... You've got to be soft and attractive. And I'm fading now!" (pg 79) - This quote sums up how insecure she is and how she is constantly trying to live up to a woman's expectation to be beautiful. She has such a distorted image of her own beauty.

6) Melissa & Lauren “Whoever you are- I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” (pg 142) - Whether it be with the random people she sleeps with or the comments she wants about her physical appearance, Blanche always depends on others. Her being is so worn down and deteriorated in every sense of the word that she relies on strangers.

7) Sammy i) Pg 99 “It wouldn’t make-believe if you believed in me!” Even Blanche knows she is putting on a façade. ii) Pg 101 “It’s a Barnum and Bailey world, Just as phony as it can be-“ Blanche sings world = Circus act. Balance act of all her fake lies. iii) Pg 108 “I’ll stop at twenty-five” Represents how Blanche acts younger than she is.

8) Katie & Lexi C. "Why, that you had to live in these conditions" (20) -Shows Blanche's initially condescending nature towards Stella's life and how she perceives her life differently than the way it really is.

9) Katie & Lexi C. "I was never...turn the trick" (79) -She uses metaphors to describe her personality, and shows that she hides behind things and acts confident to cover her true self.

10) Katie & Lexi C. "But then he came back...no hard feelings" (126) -This is when her false stories begin to get very elaborate and it is clear that she has lost her mind.

11. Julia, Allie, Rachel Stella: Tell you what, Blanche? Blanche: Why that you had to live in these conditions! (20)

12. Julia Allie Rachel Blanche: He was a boy, just a boy, when I was a very young girl… (95)

13. Julia Allie Rachel Blanche: Honey, do me a favor. Run to the drug-store and get me a lemon-coke with plenty of chipped ice in it! – Will you do that for me, Sweetie? (40)

Blanche is extremely judgmental of Stella’s choice to live the way that she does because she is convinced that she is a higher social status. Blanche has many insecurities because her husband cheated on her with a man and then committed suicide. Also, Blanche believes that she is better than everyone, but she is just insecure and conflicted.

14. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 21 “I was so exhausted by all I’d been through my—nerves broke. I was on the verge of—lunacy, almost!” It shows her as someone who could be easily overwhelmed. She was aware of her almost being a lunatic.

15. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 23 “I brought some nice clothes to meet all your lovely friends in.” She’s superficial and cares a lot about appearances.

16. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 23 “I want to be near you, got to be with somebody, I can’t be alone. Because—as you have noticed—I’m not very well…” She has a fear of being alone and doesn’t like to be by herself. She’s a dependent person.

17. Ryan, Jim, Harry “I thought you would never come back to this horrible place.” -Shows that Blanche isn’t very tactful and that she and Stella are estranged and haven't spoken in a while

18. Ryan, Jim, Harry “Whoever you are – I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” -Blanche is dependent on using men to achieve success in life; has a history of sexual encounters with strangers.

19. Ryan, Jim, Harry

“All right. Cards on the table. That suits me. I know I fib a good deal. After all, a woman’s charm is fifty percent illusion, but when a thing is important I tell the truth, and this is the truth: I haven’t cheated my sister or you or anyone else as long as I have lived.”

-Blanche is somewhat recognizing the flaws of her personality, but is showing that she isn’t a bad person because of them.

20) Jaime and Shannon


 * “I, I, I took the blows in my face and my body! All of those deaths! The long parade to the … In bed with your– Polack!” (Williams 27).
 * “He was a boy, just a boy, when I was a very young girl. When I was sixteen, I made the discovery – love. All at once … and never for one moment since has there been any light that’s stronger than this-kitchen-candle…” (Williams 95-96).
 * “Yes, a big spider! That’s where I brought my victims. Yes, I had many intimacies with strangers. After the death of Allan-intimacies with strangers was all I seemed able to fill my empty heart with… I think it was panic, just panic, that drove me from one to another, hunting for some protection-here and there, in the most-unlikely places-even, at last, in a seventeen-year-old boy but ... To the tail of the kite” (Williams 118).


 * All of these quotes develop Blanche's character and reveal something about her to the reader. (1) Her rude behavior to Stella begins and her over-exaggeration starts. (2) We get to see a sensitive side of Blanche when she talks about her deceased late husband. (3) We hear her side of the story when it comes to the young boy and all of the men she slept with while she tells Mitch.

STANLEY AND STELLA page 63 "it wasn't anything as serious as you seem to take it...he didn't know what he was doing...he's ashamed of himself." This quote is telling both about Stella, who says it, and Stanley, who's she's talking about. Stella is a very forgiving person. Stanley had struck her, but she understands anger management and impulse control are problems he has, and don't hold it against him. Stanley, through this quote, is shown as animal like. He struck Stella out of rage, but with no real control or malice behind it. It was just like a reflex. He can't help himself, and he really does feel bad about it afterwards when he regains control.
 * 2. Stella:**
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

page 70, "There are things that happen between a man and a women in the dark that sort of make everything else seem unimportant." Stella leads with her heart. She knows how Stanley makes her feel, and she disregards potential problems like his lack of self control. She could be blinded by love, or she could know and not care, following her emotions rather than reason.
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

"Mr. Kowalski us too busy making a pig out of himself...your face and fingers are disgustingly greasy." It may not seem important, but I think it's telling about Stella's relationship with Stanley. She's clearly not blinded by love if she can call him disgusting to his face. So when he stays with him during his violent times, you can say she's not blinded by love but seeing him as he really is, and accepts it, not ignores it.
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

4. Danarenae Donato, Nicole, and Zach “When he’s[Stanley] away for a week I nearly go wild! -This quote shows Stella’s dependency on men. She depends so much on Stanley that she expresses she doesn’t know what she would do without him, and she even forsakes her sister for him. Stella uses the word “wild,” which once again relates to her animalistic qualities. Although Blanche cannot see why Stella is so dependent on Stanley, she is also dependent on men. She needs men for compliments and to support the lifestyle she seeks.

5. Danarenae Donato, Nicole, and Zach “I was- sort of- thrilled by it.” (pg 64) - This quote expresses how Stella is attracted to Stanley’s aggression and animalistic qualities. She is even animalistic at times as she makes animals noises when she embraces him after he had beaten her. These qualities sharply contrast with Blanche’s gentle and proper behavior.

6. Danarenae Donato, Nicole, and Zach [in response to Blache calling Stanley common] “Why yes, I suppose he is.” (pg 71) -Stella is fine with Stanley being a common man and not of high status. However, Blanche is still a part of the Old South and seeks a man who can support a high living status. Thus, she does not understand how Stella can live the way she does with Stanley.

7. Sammy i) Pg 18 “Stella, oh, Stella, Stella, Stella for Star!” Blanche’s attitude changes when she sees Stella. Stella made her happy enough to change her mood ii) Pg 22 “It’s just incredible, Blanche, how well you’re looking” After all hurtful insults, Stella remains calm. Could represent future.

8. Katie & Lexi C. "I said I am not in anything...each other's habits I guess" (65) -Stella compares Stanely's nasty habits to things she does as hobbies, and is beginning to obviously project denial.

9. Katie & Lexi C. "Yes, you are, Blanche...very ashamed of himself" (63) -Standing up for her husband even though he just hurt her and seems very hypnotized.

10. Katie & Lexi C. "Oh, my God, Eunice...what are they doing?" (140) -Shows that she wants to help her sister, but she feels a stronger obligation to her husband and to listen to what he wants.

11. Julia Allie Rachel Page 85 “There’s plenty…anyone else.” Stella is protective of Blanche Page 49 “Blanche…” Stella is very proper. Page 63 “Yes, you are…” Stella is so nice to Blanche even though she did something wrong"

12. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 35 “I don’t understand what happened to Belle Reve but you don’t know how ridiculous you are being when you suggest that my sister or I or anyone of our family could have perpetrated a swindle on anyone else.” No matter how overwhelming any evidence is, she refuses to believe stories she doesn’t want to believe

13. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 133 “I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley.” She only believes what she wants to believe. She only chose to believe Stanley because she wants to go on living her old life. She’s self deluding herself just like Blanche is.

14. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 64 “I was—sort of—thrilled by it.” She said this in response to Stanley’s behavior and it shows that she’s actually attracted to what repulses Blanche. It shows how different they really are, and how alike she is to Stanley.

15. Ryan, Jim, Harry “What have I done to my sister? O, God, what have I done to my sister?” -Stella regrets not supporting her sister against her husband at the end of the story

16. Ryan, Jim, Harry “It makes me so mad when he does that in front of people.” -Shows flaws in the marriage of Stanley and Stella

17. Ryan, Jim, Harry “You needn’t have been so cruel to someone alone as she is” -In the middle of the story, she is defending her sister against her husband

18. Jaime and Shannon


 * “No, it isn’t all right for anybody to make such a terrible row, but people do sometimes. Stanley’s always smashed things. Why, on our wedding night soon as we came in here he snatched off one of my slippers and rushed about the place smashing the light bulbs with it” (64)
 * “She is. She was. You didn’t know Blanche as a girl. Nobody, nobody, was tender and trusting as she was. But people like you abused her, and forced her to change” (page 111)
 * “You never did give me a chance to say much, Blanche. So I just got in the habit of being quiet around you” (page 20)


 * (1) Stella talks about her relationship with Stanley as always being a sort of violent one. (2) Stella defends her sister; first time you view her as a victim in the story. (3) Opposite of the second quote, she talks about her sisters constant babble

page 35, "It looks to me like you have been swindled, baby, and when you're swindled under the Napoleonic code I'm swindled too. And I don't like being swindled." Shows Stanley is impulsive and very possessive. He had no proof Blanch is trying to swindle him, but he's getting angry about it anyway. Also, he's quick to anger. He had just learned that Belle Reve was sold and he's already irritated over it.
 * 3. Stanley**
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

STANLEY AND STELLA page 63 "it wasn't anything as serious as you seem to take it...he didn't know what he was doing...he's ashamed of himself." This quote is telling both about Stella, who says it, and Stanley, who's she's talking about. Stella is a very forgiving person. Stanley had struck her, but she understands anger management and impulse control are problems he has, and don't hold it against him. Stanley, through this quote, is shown as animal like. He struck Stella out of rage, but with no real control or malice behind it. It was just like a reflex. He can't help himself, and he really does feel bad about it afterwards when he regains control.
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

page 68, "Stanley doesn't give me a regular allowance, he likes to pay the bills himself." In this small fact, we know that Stanley fancies himself as lord of his own castle. By not giving Stella any money, he's also denying her power, the ability to go and buy what she wants without him. As long as he has the money, all purchases go through him.
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

4. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “Haven’t fallen in, have you? I’m afraid I’ll strike you as being the unrefined type (pg 31)” -This quote demonstrates Stanley’s crude behavior that goes against all of Blanche’s ideals, yet agree with the animalistic ideals of Stella.

5. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “He acts like an animal, has an animal’s habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one! There is even something – sub-human – something not quite to the stage of humanity yet! (pg 72)” -This quote expresses the behavior Stanley shows throughout the play. He acts like an animal with his aggressive and blunt behavior. This aggression leads him to destroying Blanche and her fantasy.

6. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach [To Stella] “Since when do you give me orders? (pg 37)” -This quote demonstrates Stanley’s dominance over Stella. Stella is attracted to Stanley’s animalistic qualities and power, yet Blanche finds them repulsive. She believes a man should be a gentleman and sensitive.

7. Sammy i) “And look at yourself! Take a look at yourself in that worn out Mardi Gras outfit, rented for fifty cents from some rag picker! And with the crazy crown on! What do you think you are?” only Stanley knows that Blanche doesn’t even know herself

8. Katie & Lexi C. "This is after the home-place...weeks before she showed here" (99) -Shows his desperation to turn Stella against Blanche, by telling her only bad things about her past and that she only "showed up" there because she had to.

9. Katie & Lexi C. "Oh! So you want some rough-house...date with each other from the beginning" (130) -Stanely says this as he is trying to rape Blanche, showing his most violent side.

10. Katie & Lexi C. "So I been told...pack of lies here?" (98) -Stanely can only see the bad in people that he does not want to see the good in.

11. Julia Allie Rachel Stanley: STELL-LAHHHHH! (60)

12. Julia Allie Rachel Stanley: I got an acquaintance who deals in this sort of merchandise. I’ll have him in here to appraise it. I’m willing to bet you there’s thousands of dollars invested in this stuff here. Stella: Don’t be such an idiot, Stanley!

13. Julia Allie Rachel Stanley: And what do we have here? The treasure chest of a pirate! (86)

14. Julia Allie Rachel Stanley: Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house! (130)

Stanley is controlling and arrogant. He is critical of Blanche’s previous life and will do anything to show his power over her. He questions Blanche’s life and tries his best to make her feel inferior to him, especially when he rapes her.

15. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 39 “Compliments to women about their looks. I never met a woman that didn’t know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and some of them give themselves credit for more than they’ve got.” He’s basically the polar opposite from Blanche because he’s everything that Blanche doesn’t want in her life.

16. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 51 “Turn that off!” He’s bossy and always wants things to be done his way. This was said in response to when the girls turned on music and since he’s a man and thinks he’s superior he thinks they can only turn on music when he says it’s okay.

17. Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 109 “It’s gonna be all right again between you and me the way that it was. You remember that way that it was? Them nights we had together?” Stella’s sexual relationship with Stanley is really important to him and he can’t seem to find their relationship to be working out when Blanche is here because they can’t spend nights alone.

18. Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I wouldn’t be expecting Mitch over tonight” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Shows that he has a deceptive plan to ruin Blanche

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">19. Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Delicate piece she is” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Sarcasm; He thinks Blanche is crazy and has no problem showing that

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">20. Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Well you can hear me and I said to hush up!” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-He tries to take control of everyone around him

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">21. Jaime and Shannon


 * “All right. I’ll wait till she gets through soaking in a hot tub and then I’ll inquire if //she// is acquainted with the Napoleonic code. It looks to me like you have been swindled baby, when you’re swindled under the Napoleonic code I’m swindled //too.// And I don’t like to be //swindled//” (Williams 35).
 * “That’s how I’ll clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me! ‘Pig-Polack-disgusting-vulgar-greasy!’ –them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said- ‘Every Man is a King!’ And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!” (Williams 107).
 * “Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house! Tiger-tiger! Drop the bottle top! Drop it! We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning!” (Williams 130).
 * (1) Reader starts seeing Stanley as a man who always has to come out on top; likes looking good at all times (not in terms of looking good physically). (2) Reader sees Stanley as a violent man, pompous. (3) Reveals the disgusting character that Stanley is for raping his sister-in-law

1. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “Poker should not be played in a house with women.” (pg 59) - This quote demonstrates how the poker game is animalistic and symbolizes the male dominance in the play, as well as, demonstrates the sensitive qualities that Mitch has and the other men do not possess. Thus, Mitch is the only option for Stella to get out of her bad situation.
 * 4. Mitch**

2. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “You’re a natural gentleman, one of the very few that are left in the world.” (pg 91) - This quote, spoken by Blanche, portrays not only the ideal man she is looking for, but her outlook on the world as well. She recognizes that her version of how the world should be, like the Old South, is fading away. This is why Mitch is her only hope for her fantasy to become reality.

3. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach [to Blanche] “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.” (pg 121) -The quote shows Mitch’s rejection of Blanche and one of the final moments that lead to her complete destruction. Mitch was meant to be the savior of Blanche, but instead her bad reputation caused her fantasy to be another victim of her past, which had led her down a path of mental delusion in the first place.

Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach "And If God choose, I shall but love thee better - after - death!" The fact that Mitch carries this sentimental keepsake around with him indicates that he is truly sensitive and cared deeply about this girl. In addition, the cigarette case itself is symbolic of the shared bond of heartbreak and hardship between Blanche and Mitchell. This is their first meeting, and foreshadows the relationship that occurs later in the book. However, based on the quote, the reader can infer that the relationship was doomed to die.

Melissa & Lauren 4.) "You need somebody. And I need somebody too. Could it be you and me, Blanche?" (pg 96). - Mitch's wife died but since then he had had to take care of his mother. Soon, he won't have anyone and he is going to need Blanche. The two of them have always depended on others their whole life.

5.) “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.” (pg 121) - Mitch is a family man who has clean, wholesome values and this line really showcases that. He doesn't approve of what he hears about Blanche and her reputation.

6.) "and if God choose, I shall love thee better- after death!" - He planned on marrying Blanche and making a better life with her.

Sammy i) Pg 85 “I’m afraid you haven’t got much fun out of this evening, Blanche” he says heavily after she says that mentions the streetcar still grinding.

8.) Katie & Lexi C. "Can I - uh - kiss you - goodnight?" (86)  -Shows Mitch's good intentioned awkwardness towards Blanche  9.) Katie & Lexi C.  "Just give me a slap whenever I step out of bounds" (91)  -Mitch is a very straightforward and kind man, who tries really hard to make people happy 10.) Katie & Lexi C. "You're not clean...with my mother" (121)  -He believes what Stanely told him about Blanche and decides that she isn't clean enough for him to bring to his mother and therefore is not good enough for him Julia Allie Rachel “You didn’t, but I felt all the time that I wasn’t giving you much—entertainment” (85) “I gotta sick mother. She don’t go to sleep until I come ion at night” (46). “And it don’t look neat on me. A man with a heavy build has got to be careful of what he puts on him so he don’t look too clumsy” (89)

Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 96 “You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be—you and me, Blanche?” Mitch and Blanche begin a relationship because they both have broken pasts and need someone else. Page 121 “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.” This quote shows just how like everyone else Mitch is. He was supposed to save Blanche, but he poured salt on her wounds to continue her downfall. It also shows how much he respects his mother. Page 86 “Can I—uh—kiss you—goodnight?” It shows how nervous and awkward he is compared to Blanche’s personality. It doesn’t seem like the kind of guy Blanche would go for, so it makes me question whether or not Blanche actually likes him.

Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-He has no backbone; he listened to Stanley and his relationship with Blanche is over

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I guess we strike you as a pretty rough bunch” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-He is more considerate than the other men

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-He’s still somewhat sexist, like the rest of the men

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jaime and Shannon
 * “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother” (page 121)
 * “Poker should not be played in a house with women” (page 59)
 * “No you didn’t, but I felt all the time that I wasn’t giving you much entertainment” (page 85)


 * (1) You feel bad for Mitch but at the same time feel even sorrier for Blanche for how he speaks to her. (2) Mitch's character develops into a very respectful, likable one. (3) Mitch trying to be a gentleman


 * 1) Choose 4 quotes (dialogue) that are most indicative of **theme** (state the theme after each quote).

1. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “They told me to take a street car named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at – Elysian” (pg 15) - This relates to the theme of the downfall of desire. Desire leads Blanche to Stella’s house as her desires led her to get a bad reputation, forcing her to move in with her sister. Her desire to make her past disappear led her to lie to the new people in her life, but when they found out she was rejected and destroyed.

2. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “Whoever you are- I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” (pg 142) - This quote represents the theme of male dependency, and dependency in general, throughout the novel. Blanche and Stella were both dependent on men for happiness in their life. Blanche also depended on others praise and help to make herself feel elevated in society, where she wants to be and would be on her plantation in the Old South time period.

3. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “Drop it! We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning!” (pg 130) -Stanley’s overpowering of Blanche, and his rape of her, relate to the theme of reality overpowering fantasy. This final act culminates what has transpired during the entire play, the slow replacement of reality with Blanche’s fantasy. In the end, Blanche and her fantasy are destroyed in the eyes of society, leaving Blanche to retreat to her fantasy in order to escape society and reality.

4. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “It would be nice to keep you, but I’ve got to be good- and keep my hands off children.” (pg 84) -The quote relates to the theme of sex and death. Sex, in the form of her husband’s homosexuality, begins Blanche’s mental downward spiral. Her sexual encounter with a student caused her to lose her job, and possibly use sex to get money, thus bringing her closer to her “death.” Her “death” is her failure to marry Mitch and her replacement of reality with her fantasy. She uses her sexuality throughout the play to try to attract a man to marry, and thus, leading to her being saved.

1.Lexi H and Aly D Page 75. “Twisted reality” A woman getting beat should recognize the issue ahead of her but by drinking Eunice is falling into the twister reality theme because she is drinking to forget her true reality.

2. Lexi H and Aly D Page 26 “Twisted reality” “Reve, not I! I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it!” Blanche recognizes reality but twists it in a way to suit her, she knows she did not actually do that or the ranch because she rejects facing true reality and twists it to her benefit.

3. Lexi H and Aly D Page 119 “Twisted reality” “Never inside, I didn’t lie in my heart…” Blanch truly sees that what she does and says is verifiable, which we know from mid way through the story that she is full of lies and twists reality so that she doesn’t feel that what she did was wrong.

4.Lexi H and Aly D Page 126 “Twisted reality” Whole passage She twists a story that really truly didn’t happen, she says things to make herself feel better, meanwhile it didn’t happen, and again she twists reality.

Julia Allie Rachel “There isn’t a goddamn thing but imagination!” (127) Theme is not being able to face reality.

“I feel so hot and frazzled. What till I powder before you open the door. Do I look done in?” (47) Theme: Relying on others opinions

“How about my supper, huh?? I’m not going to no Galatoire’s for supper” (82) Theme: Male dominance in a relationship.

Melissa & Lauren 1.) "I don't want realism, I want magic!" - Fantasy's inability to overcome reality. She refuses to accept the hand fate has dealt her.

2.) "There are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark- that sort of make everything else seem- unimportant." (pg 70) - Dependence of men, male companions are the only way to achieve happiness.

3.) "They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries." (pg 15) - Reoccurring theme throughout the novel of sex and death.

4) "Whoever you are- I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." (pg 142) - Dependence of men

Sammy a) “Is that streetcar named Desire still grinding along tracks at this hour?” The streetcar represents sex life. b) “I pulled you off the columns and how you loved it, having them colored lights going” colored lights are sex

Lexi C and Katie i. Eunice is stuck in a life where she is forced to deal with many issues that are seen as absurd and unacceptable. Woman should never be beaten or brutalized and when Eunice was hurt by her husband, she was upset at first and then went right back to him (75) i. “Reve, not I! I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it!” (26) ii. Blanche can not accept the fact that she failed so she distorts reality until it becomes what she wishes it was. i. “Never inside, I didn’t lie in my heart…” (119) ii. Blanche has been lying for so long and so much that it does not even seem wrong to her anymore. To her, the lies are her reality. i. Whole passage on page 126 ii. This is a clear example on her lying because clearly this didn’t happen but she tells everyone that it did because she wishes that’s what happened and is embarrassed of what actually happened.
 * 1)  false view of reality
 * 1)  false view of reality
 * 1)  false view of reality
 * 1)  false view of reality

Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 55 “I bought this adorable little colored paper lantern at a Chinese shop on Bourbon. Put it over the light bulb! Will you, please?” -Blanche Blanche is superficial with her appearances and she always tries to hide how old she is. Theme- appearance

Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 19 “Now don’t get worried, your sister hasn’t turned into a drunkard, she’s just shaken up and hot and tired and dirty!” -Blanche Theme- alcoholism She’s a total alcoholic although it’s not straight up said, it’s obvious because she drinks and hides it and pretends she doesn’t drink.

Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 43 “You see, under the Napoleonic code—a man has to take an interest in his wife’s affairs—especially now that she’s going to have a baby.” -Stanley Theme- masculinity In that time period, women are still here to bear children and make sandwiches. Stanley is a very masculine man

Allie Cai & Chelsea Katz Page 117 “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” –Blanche She doesn’t like reality and basically refuses to accept it. Theme- reality vs. whatever world Blanche is living in

Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Blanche: “The boy—the boy died. I’m afraid I’m—going to be sick!” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Theme: Reliving one’s past

Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mitch: “What it means is I’ve never had a real good look at you, Blanche. Let’s turn the light on here.” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Theme: Hiding yourself from exposure to others

Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stella: “Don’t let them do that to her, don’t let them hurt her!” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Theme: Stand up for you family when necessary

Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stella: “This beautiful and talented young man was a degenerate” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Theme: Judging other people is not a good thing to do

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jaime and Shannon


 * “You make my mouth water” (Williams 84). **Theme: two personalities we get from Blanche**
 * “She here?” “In the bathroom.” “’Washing out some things’?” “I reckon so.” (Williams 97). **Theme: Blanche’s constant baths**
 * “I’m going to ask a favor of you in a moment.” “What could that be, I wonder?” “Some buttons in back! You may enter! How do I look?” (Williams 38). **Theme: Blanche’s flirtations with Stanley**
 * “How about taking a swim, a moonlight swim at the old rock-quarry? … Only you’ve got to be careful to dive where the deep pool is, if you hit a rock you don’t come up till tomorrow” (page 122) **Theme: Getting yourself into a situation so deep will only make it that much harder to surface once you ‘dive in’**


 * 1) Choose 3 of Tennessee Williams’ **stage directions** that **best establish the mood and setting of New Orleans.**

Blue Piano, page 13 and 129 The piano rises and falls with the action. We're first introduced to it in the very beginning of the play, as it plays while Blanch first arrives at Stella's home. The piano is key because we're being surrounded, like Blanch is, in a world most of us have never been in. She's not only seeing New Orleans, she's hearing it to, and we can hear it with her. On page 129, as Stanley begins to box Blanch into the room, the piano becomes louder and more aggressive. Then, it becomes soft again when he decides to rape her, and the shift in music shows the action is falling and she's already lost, though the fight has started yet.
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

page 13, "two women, one white and one colored" Having two women of different races to greet Blanch introduces us to the mindset of this part of New Orleans, a liberal and mixed placed. When she first comes, we can more clearly see the contrast between old and new, rather then if it was just two undesignated women.
 * 1) Melissa and Lauren

3. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “This “Blue Piano” expresses the spirit of the life which goes here.” (pg 13) - The blue piano is played throughout the play and it represents the emotions of the characters. It can be heard during times of distress and times of hope, such as when Blanche is calling for help and when she is calling Shep Huntleigh. It is depressing, lonely, and yet hopeful in times of possible love, just as Blanche is throughout the story. It also relates to setting, as New Orleans is a center for jazz.

4. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “The polka tune starts up again…A distant revolver shot is heard.” (pg 114) - When the polka is heard there is a mood of distress as Blanche only hears the polka when is falling deeper into her fantasy. Blanche is usually in the setting with a man, in this case, Mitch, as he is rejecting her. She feels as though she is losing him like she lost her husband.

5. Danarenae, Nicole, and Zach “Her[Blanche] appearance is incongruous to this setting.” (pg 15) -New Orleans was described earlier, and Blanche is stated as not fitting in with the city. The plantation and her Old South values conflict with the city and industry of New Orleans, which creates a tense mood and results with conflict between the characters.

"Blanche and Mitch come in. The exhaustion with which only a neurasthenic personality can know is evident in Blanche's voice and manner. Mitch is stolid but depressed" (page 85) The mention of Blanche's neurasthenic (or chronically fatigued) mannerisms foreshadows her later loss of her mind, and indicates that she has some ongoing psychological or physical health problems. In addition, this bleak and dismal opening to a scene is indicative of not only the failed date, but the whole disaster that was Blanche's and Mitch's relationship.

1.Lexi H and Aly D Opening of Scene one: “The exterior of a two-story corner building…entrances of both” (13). It describes New Orleans and how it is the poor section of it, but how it has a certain charm.

2.Lexi H and Aly D Opening of Scene eight: “The view through the big windows is fading gradually…or windows reflecting the sunset” (106). Describes the setting and paints a picture for the audience.

3.Lexi H and Aly D Page 14-15: “She continues to laugh…that suggests a moth” Describes how Blanche is so much “better” compared to the apartment and it gives the audience a negative image about the setting in the New Orleans apartment.

Sammy a) Pg 85 “In the ensuing pause, the ‘blue piano’ is heard. It continues through the reast of this scene and the opening of the next. The young man clears his throat and looks yearningly at the door.” Blue piano is present is heard whole time Blanche flirts. b) Pg 105 “The distant piano goes into a hectic breakdown” Foreshadowing of chaos to come. c) Pg 114 “The ‘Varsouviana’ the polka tune they were playing when Allan- Wait!” first character reference to music

Julia Allie Rachel Opening to scene 1: “It is first…on here.” Describes New Orleans Page 14-15 stage directions: “She continues…” Shows the juxtaposition between Blanche and the apartment. Opening to scene 8: “The view…sunset.” Shows the loneliness and quietness of New Orleans.

Lexi C and Katie i. Sets the stage for the whole play by giving us detail of the city and the apartment where everyone lives in. i. Has a lot of imagery to give the reader a true sense of the situation i. blanche talks about how dirty and unsatisfying the apartment is and makes us feel how distasteful it really is. Allie Cai and Chelsea Katz Page 14-15 quote, comparing Blanche’s appearance to the setting of the apartment. At the end it says she suggests a moth, and moths usually stand out. Page 114 stage directions on the bottom half, the polka music plays when Blanche feels distress and here is where Mitch is telling her he doesn’t want to be with her. That was her last chance. Page 13 opening of scene one sets the setting for most of the play. It describes Elysian Fields and sets up the two flats setting of the building. Although it is a poor part of New Orleans, the description shows a charming setting.
 * 1)  The exterior of a two-story corner building…entrances of both” (13).
 * 1)  “The view through the big windows is fading gradually…or windows reflecting the sunset” (106).
 * 1)  “She continues to laugh…that suggests a moth” (14-15)

Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Above the music of the “Blue Piano” the voices of people on the street can be heard overlapping.” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Bustling area, and everyone is occupied with their own lives

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“There is a confusion of street cries like a choral chant.” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Everyone outside has their own life going on, not paying attention to anyone else’s

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ryan, Jim, Harry <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“A torch of sunlight blazes on the side of a big water-tank or oil-drum across the empty lot toward the business district which is now pierced by pinpoints of lighted windows or windows reflecting the sunset.” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-At night, things empty out, and everything is quiet. What was a bustling area is now serene and peaceful, even a place of beauty.

Jaime and Shannon
 * //[She backs out of sight. He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow. Stella cries out. Blanche screams and runs into the kitchen. The men rush forward and there is grappling and cursing. Something is overturned with a crash.]// (Williams 57).
 * //[They stare at each other across the yellow-checked linoleum of the table. Blanche slowly nods her head and Stella looks slowly down at her hands folded on the table. The music of the “blue piano” grows louder. Blanche touches her handkerchief to her forehead.]// (Williams 26).
 * //[She sobs with inhuman abandon. There is something luxurious in her complete surrender to crying now that her sister is gone.]//


 * (1) Describes the scene when Stanley abuses Stella; makes the mood on-edge, nervous. (2) Makes the mood very lethargic, and even nervous toward Blanche's character. (3) Williams' use of stage direction toward the characters makes the reader feel the emotions the characters convey; in this scene, lonesomeness

//Streetcar Quote Activity **Kris & Eric**// __**Character**__ -“Poker should not be played in a house with women”(58). Mitch’s initial impression. Shows his different viewpoints of men and women. Will change later. -“Naw, it’s a shame this had to happen when you just got here. But don’t take it serious.” (61) Shows empathy for the women. It’s a change from his initial comment about women not being in the room when men play poker. -“Just give me a slap whenever I step out of bounds” (91) Mitch is able to relate and be sensitive towards Blanche. -Pg 37 line 11 Highlights how Blanche believes that bathing can cleanse her of her past, she calls herself a new person, which shows how she wants to leave her past behind and transform into a new Blanche -Pg 40 line 15 Shows how selfish Blanche is, she’s asking her pregnant sister to get a drink for her -Pg 84 line 16 Shows how Blanche hasn’t changed, she’s trying to abstain from sex with Mitch, but she still has the same desires that she’s always had, and she still satisfies those desires inappropriately -Pg 14 line 13 Shows how Stella is subservient and how she lets Stanley run her life -Pg 63 line 17 Further shows Stella’s subservience and her denial of the problems in her relationship -Pg 141 line 1 Shows that Stella really did love her sister, and she’s conflicted because she betrayed Blanche for Stanley
 * Mitch**
 * Blanche**
 * Stella**

-“Well you can hear me and I said hush up”(51) Shows Stanley’s domineering attitude towards Stella. -I wouldn’t be expecting Mitch over tonight He has intentions to ruin Blanche -“Aw for the sake of Jesus, go home then!” (46) Shows Stanley’s callousness towards others. This is one example of his selfishness and lack of care for others __**Theme**__ -“Poker should not be played in a house with women”(58) Man vs. Woman -“Just give me a slap whenever I step out of bounds” (91) Superiority battle/roles between men and women. -“Call the police. I’m going to call the police!” “She and Steve had a row./ Has she got the police?” “Naw, She’s getting a drink” (75) Twisted Reality – a woman being beat and abused should call for help, but in this setting that’s a common circumstance. -“What it means is that I’ve never had a real good look at you. Lets turn the light on here” (116) Belying your true self and hiding year real personality from others. __**Mood and Setting**__ -Pg16 line 19 Accentuates the poor, minimalistic nature of Stella’s apartment and highlight the difference between Blanche’s past life and her new life with Stella -Pg 13 line 1 Brings up the blue piano, explains the setting and sets up the story, sets up the vivacious culture of NO -Pg 29 line 4 Shows the comradery of neighbors in NO and the closeness of the main group of characters, as well as giving a setting description
 * Stanley**