Scene Analysis of Scene Seven of "A Streetcar Named Desire" by
Scene Analysis of Scene Seven of "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams As a connection to Stanley's questioning Blanche about her affair in the "Hotel Flamingo" in Scene Five, Scene Seven starts with his revelation of Blanche's past life in Laurel. Having "thoroughly checked on [the] stories" (187) about what Blanche has done there, Stanley is confident to nail the "pack of lies" (186) that are used so skilfully to deceive Stella and Mitch - she has never been kissed by a fellow and she quits her job because of her poor nerves. The competition between the two extreme, dominating powers of Blanche and Stanley is one of the main concerns in the development of the play. In Scene Seven, Tennessee Williams, the playwright of the play, delicately renders the shift of dominating power from Blanche to Stanley through the Stella's response about the "stories". At first, Stella reacts strongly to the stories about Blanche's past life, stating them as "contemptible lies" (187); however, her strong defence of Blanche is gradually defeated by Stanley's powerful statements and reliable evidences - she feels sick when she knows that Blanche "[gets] mixed up with a seventeen-year-old boy" (188), and even walks in a "dazed way" (189) when she hands the towel to Blanche. In the scene, Williams makes use of the bathing to show us Blanche's dependence on illusion. Through her
Examine the Presentation of America in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
Examine the Presentation of America in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. In the first scene of the play, one of the central protagonists, Blanche DuBois, is seen arriving at Stella's (her sister) home in Elysian Fields, where 'her appearance looks incongruous to the setting'. The contrast of the character to her setting, and her conflicts with the other characters is a motif used throughout the play to explore the social and cultural changes occurring in America when the play was originally published. We are introduced to the setting of the play in scene one, a street called Elysian Fields in a run-down quarter of New Orleans. The name Elysian Fields is ironic since, in classical mythology, it is meant to be paradise; the stage directions indicate the street is anything but! The area is described as poor, and the atmosphere is one of decay. Nevertheless, the playwright reveals some affection for the place referring to its 'raffish charm' and his lyrical images of the colours the sky imparts on the buildings in the evenings. Stella's apartment is cramped and not to Blanche's taste, she sarcastically remarks that only Edgar Allen Poe, renowned for his macabre poems, could justifiably describe it and surmises that New Orleans must be the "ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir". Williams provides a more realistic portrait of an urban area through the descriptions of the noises and smells,
An Interpretation of a Streetcar Named Desire.
Vanessa Mendez Eng102.5817 Prof. Rosenblitt An Interpretation of a Streetcar Named Desire In a Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, jealousy is displayed in the character of Stanley Kowalski who was one of the protagonists of the play. Stanley Kowalski was a very arrogant man who believed everything had to go his way. Everything started when Blanche Dubois goes to visit her sister Stella Kowalski and her husband Stanley. Stanley was never nice to Blanche from the time they spent together and on. He was very disrespectful and always spoke to her with indirect statements. Stanley shows his brutality throughout the play displaying the feeling of jealousy. The first time was when he threw the radio out of the window, the second was when he hit Stella and the third was when he raped Blanche. My interpretation is that Stanley felt jealous towards Blanche because he believed that she was going to ruin his relationship with Stella. The first incident in which Stanley shows his brutality was at poker night. Poor Blanche turns on the radio in the other room; Stanley then hears the music and demands her to turn it off. When Blanche refuses he comes into the room and turns off the radio in bad manner. Then one of Stanley's friends named Mitch goes into the room and joins Blanche in a conversation. Blanche once again turns the radio on and this time she starts prancing around
Blanche's world is often contrasted to the world of Stanley and Stella. Blanche firmly states the kind of world she wants: "I don't want realism...I'll tell you what i want. Magic!" In what way is Blanche's world an illusion?
Blanche's world is often contrasted to the world of Stanley and Stella. Blanche firmly states the kind of world she wants: "I don't want realism...I'll tell you what i want. Magic!" In what way is Blanche's world an illusion? We first meet Blanche in Scene 1 as she travels to her sister's flat in Elysian fields, New Orleans. Elysian Fields, being a mythological place, naturally leads Blanche to have high expectations and considering her sister's former residence of Belle Reve, Blanche is expecting something more grande than a two room flat in a less than respectable area but even when she sees it is not what she was anticipating she manages to almost romanticise it by relating it to something from an Edgar Allen Poe story ("Only Poe! Only Mr Edgar Allen Poe! - could do it justice!) Stella has adapted to the new way of life in New Orleans. She has lowered her standards and married "a different species" and in doing so she has maintained a grasp on reality. Blanche, by contrast, stayed in Belle Reve amidst the pretence that all was well, living in an ignorant bliss started generations back, of which she was the last survivor. She is one in a long line of people lost in illusion; her ancestors let Belle Reve get lost while they ignored the state of the deep South and their diminishing finances, instead favouring "epic fornications". Blanche continued this legacy, paying not only
Blanche and Mitch's relationship in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams.
English Coursework Essay - Blanche and Mitch's relationship Text studied: "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams Blanche and Mitch are two very different characters but in spite of this they connect instantly. Mitch is one of Stanley's oldest friends, and Blanche is Stella's sister. The first time they meet, they both notice a unique quality to each other. Blanche detects an awkwardness around Mitch, that makes him different from the rest of the other, boisterous boys. Mitch is curious about Blanche. She is different to all the other girls he has known, and in his eyes, she is romantic, and graceful. They share common ground because they have both lost someone they loved and they understand each other's feelings when it comes to death. I think they are drawn together because they see something in each other that they both need. Mitch needs Blanche because his mother is dying and she wants to see him settled down before she dies. Also, I think when she dies Mitch needs someone to take her place. Mitch also likes Blanche because he knows his mother would approve of her charm, intelligence and sophistication. Blanche feels she is "played out" meaning her youth is over, and her looks are fading. Instead of becoming a lonely spinster, she would rather put up with Mitch. Because of these reasons, I think that the something they see in each other is loneliness.
Explore Dramatic Tension in Scene One.
Explore Dramatic Tension in Scene One In scene one the tension doesn't really start to build until Eunice, finally, leaves Blanche alone in the flat. Blanche is physically tense herself, she sits 'stiffly' in her chair, with her legs 'pressed close together' and 'clutching her purse as if she were quite cold'. She's so nervous and for a while does nothing, the silence really builds up tension as she sits with a 'blind' look in her eyes, as if she's dazed and can't really take everything in. When the cat screeches it catches the audience off hand as they wait in anticipation for Blanche to do something. The screech adds to the tension as Blanche is even more rattled by it, and her 'startled gesture' clearly shows she's on edge. As Blanche makes and drinks a glass of whisky, it shows that she may have hidden problems. The tossing down of the drink shows she is an experienced drinker, and drinking it at this moment, when she is uncomfortable with her surroundings, maybe means she uses it as an escape to calm her nerves. Blanch clarifies this by saying 'I've got to keep a hold of myself!' to herself. Something is obviously troubling her. The tension is finally relieved after Stella returns. For a brief moment the two girls stare at each other, causing the audience to wonder how Stella will react to the unexpected guest, but they then both embrace lovingly. Once they start
Tennessee Williams as the Playwright of the American Family.
Section 5: Tennessee Williams as the Playwright of the American Family Family has always been the center of every American dream. It is the one goal that every American wishes to accomplish. Unfortunately, family is never perfect in the real world. Though the "Leave it to Beaver" family is a typical ideal American family, it is not realistic. Tennessee Williams makes it a point to illustrate the American family as it is, instead of how it should be. His raw, down-to-earth approach to plays is perhaps why he has catapulted to fame and recognition. A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof exemplify this notion, and Williams is effective in his portrayal of the American family in its true form. Like most families, in-laws are burdensome and are consistent threats to the family's stability. Such is illustrated in Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, and he does this in a variety of ways. First of all, it is important to understand that life between Stanley and Stella was good before Blanche's arrival. As Stanley puts it, "Wasn't we happy together, wasn't it all okay till she showed here?" (112). Williams illustrates the conflict that Blanche causes in the Kowalski household through a series of constant attempts to steal Stella from Stanley. For instance, after the fight, Blanche exclaims, "What were you thinking of.... How could you come back in this place
Assess the view that Tennessee Williams use of symbolism in A Streetcar Named Desire enhances the audiences understanding of the characters and themes in the play.
Assess the view that Tennessee Williams' use of symbolism in A Streetcar Named Desire enhances the audiences understanding of the characters and themes in the play. Tennessee Williams' uses many literary techniques in A Streetcar Named Desire but the most valuable in constructing the plot and evoking understanding into the audience would be the technique of symbolism. The use of symbolism is effective in the due to the fact that it generates thoughts in the readers mind through a non-verbal narrative. The thoughts produced make it easier for the interpreter to form imagery and relate to the story. Williams use of symbolism help the audience to comprehend the themes and characters. One way in which symbolism is used is through the medium of light. In the beginning of the play when we learn more about the protagonist, Blanche DeBois, we find that she is not keen on the glare of a "naked light". Some may interpret this as Blanches' vain nature present as she fears people will see her faded looks. Her faded looks suggest that she is growing old and maybe the fear is less based on her vanity and in fact that she fears of being forgotten, like her ancestors and Belle Reeve which are both lost. This is further supported by her grasping for attention throughout the play and through conversations, for example when Blanche speaks to Stella she explains that men "...don't even admit
Blanche and Stanley are the protagonists of the play - "A Streetcar Named Desire". Discuss the supporting roles of Stella and Mitch.
Man Ju Y12D English Blanche and Stanley are the protagonists of the play - "A Streetcar Named Desire". Discuss the supporting roles of Stella and Mitch. In this essay, I will discuss the supporting roles of Stella and Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire". To begin with, I would like to introduce briefly the background of these two characters. Stella Kowalski, Blanche's younger sister, about twenty-five years old and have a mild disposition. She possesses the same timeworn aristocratic heritage as Blanche, but she left her hometown for New Orleans in her late teens. There, Stella married to the lower-class Stanley. The other role, Mitch, who is Stanley's army buddy, co-worker, and poker buddy, courts Blanche until he finds out that she lied to him about her past. Mitch, like Stanley, is around thirty years old. Though he is clumsy and sweaty, Mitch is more sensitive and more gentlemanly than Stanley and his other friends. Here, I will begin to discuss more in depth about these two supporting roles. First, I would like to talk about Stella. Starting with her name, Stella DuBois suggests symbols since Stella means star, giving her the quality of delicacy and softness. Stella is totally different to her sister, Blanche. She is a "gentle woman", and has different outlooks and attitudes to life and other people compared to her sister. The only thing the two women share is
Slate & Me and Blanch McBride by Georgia Savage - review.
Slate & Me and Blanch McBride by Georgia Savage Many people think that reading the end of a novel first will ruin the enjoyment. This is because they have not yet read Slate & Me and Blanch McBride by Georgia Savage, who has made this boring and out-of-order book into an interesting, meaningful and enjoyable novel. The book is written in three parts, 'After', 'Before', and 'And Later'. Written in this order had some major influences on my response to the novel. At first it was frustrating, confusing, unmeaning, and continuation of the word 'What?' going through my head, but as I read through the rest of the book, it started to make more sense and I was able fill in the gaps that was in the earlier chapters of the book. Most novel expositions slowly draw us into the setting and character of a novel. Part One, the 'After' part of Slate & Me and Blanch McBride, however, starts with a one page italicised section, which illustrates to us the scene of the bank robbery. This page tells us that the main character in this book is a very brave person because when Del's old man said "Get the gun, Del" he actually stopped and made sure Del had picked up the gun because most people would just run away as fast as they could. Then the situation suddenly changes to Wyn on a train and trying to escape from the police. This got me confused because at the start I was wondering what the
