A A Streetcar Streetcar Named Named DesireDesire. . . discussion. . . discussion

desiredesire

““Desire” is used throughout the play, both literally and Desire” is used throughout the play, both literally and figuratively. figuratively.

At the end of Act II, Blanche tells Mitch that Desire is At the end of Act II, Blanche tells Mitch that Desire is the opposite of Death. Explain her use of desire. the opposite of Death. Explain her use of desire.

sanitysanity

At the end of the play, Blanche is taken away to an At the end of the play, Blanche is taken away to an asylum. asylum.

Do you believe she is insane? Do you believe she is insane?

If she isn’t, what defines her sanity? If she isn’t, what defines her sanity?

Do you think she is responsible for her Do you think she is responsible for her circumstances? circumstances?

illusion vs. realityillusion vs. reality

Blanche’s “world” is often contrasted to the world of Blanche’s “world” is often contrasted to the world of Stanley’s and Stella’s. Blanche firmly states the kind Stanley’s and Stella’s. Blanche firmly states the kind of world she wants: “I don’t want realism. I want - of world she wants: “I don’t want realism. I want - magic!” magic!”

In what way is Blanche’s world an illusion? In what way is Blanche’s world an illusion? Is it any less real than that of Stanley or Stella? Is it any less real than that of Stanley or Stella? What defines reality in What defines reality in A Streetcar Named DesireA Streetcar Named Desire? ? What defines illusion? What defines illusion?

astrologyastrology

Tennessee Williams uses astrology to further define Tennessee Williams uses astrology to further define Blanche and Stanley. Blanche and Stanley.

What do the astrological birth signs of Blanche and What do the astrological birth signs of Blanche and Stanley reveal about these characters? Stanley reveal about these characters?

What about their names? What significance does What about their names? What significance does the name Blanche DuBois hold? What about the name Blanche DuBois hold? What about Stanley Kowalski? Stanley Kowalski?

musicmusic

Music is as much a part of Music is as much a part of A Streetcar Named DesireA Streetcar Named Desire as the as the dialogue. It is often argued that music acts as a second dialogue. It is often argued that music acts as a second dialogue within a play. dialogue within a play.

Tennessee Williams made specific reference to the Tennessee Williams made specific reference to the Varsouviana throughout the play. Varsouviana throughout the play. When is it mentioned? When is it mentioned? What significance does it have for the character(s)? What significance does it have for the character(s)? Does everyone hear this piece of music, or is it intended Does everyone hear this piece of music, or is it intended

to be shared only by the audience and one or two other to be shared only by the audience and one or two other characters? characters?

What other music is used in the play? How is it used? What other music is used in the play? How is it used?

trappedtrapped

Blanche makes reference to being trapped in the last Blanche makes reference to being trapped in the last few scenes of the play: few scenes of the play:

““This place is a trap!" ... "In desperate, desperate This place is a trap!" ... "In desperate, desperate circumstances! Help me! Caught in a trap!" circumstances! Help me! Caught in a trap!"

What does she mean? What does she mean?

Is Blanche the only person trapped? Is Blanche the only person trapped?

Who else is trapped? Who else is trapped?

images of lightimages of light

Images of light, both literal and figurative, appear Images of light, both literal and figurative, appear throughout the play. throughout the play.

Find at least two references to light and describe Find at least two references to light and describe their significance. their significance.

““I have always depended I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”on the kindness of strangers.”

When the doctor escorts Blanche out of the house, When the doctor escorts Blanche out of the house, Blanche delivers her famous line: “I have always Blanche delivers her famous line: “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” depended on the kindness of strangers.”

Why does she say this? Why does she say this? Do you think this departure is a defeat or victory for Do you think this departure is a defeat or victory for

Blanche? Blanche? What about for Mitch?What about for Mitch? What about for Stanley and Stella? What about for Stanley and Stella?

literary allusionsliterary allusions

The play makes several references to the old streetcars The play makes several references to the old streetcars of New Orleans and places found in literature. of New Orleans and places found in literature.

Describe the significance of the use of Describe the significance of the use of DesireDesire CemetariaCemetaria Elysian Fields Elysian Fields ““the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir”the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir”

violenceviolence

How does the play reveal violence and antagonistic How does the play reveal violence and antagonistic behaviour? behaviour?

Who is affected by this behaviour and in what ways? Who is affected by this behaviour and in what ways?

How does this violence progress throughout the play How does this violence progress throughout the play and change the course of action?and change the course of action?

significancesignificance

After asking Stella “What on earth are you doing in a place After asking Stella “What on earth are you doing in a place like this?” Blanche claims that “Only Mr. Edgar Allan Poe - like this?” Blanche claims that “Only Mr. Edgar Allan Poe - could do it justice! Out there, I suppose, is the ghoul-could do it justice! Out there, I suppose, is the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir.” This reference comes from haunted woodland of Weir.” This reference comes from Poe’s poem entitled “Ulalume”-a piece that highlights Poe’s poem entitled “Ulalume”-a piece that highlights Poe’s macabre style of writing. What significance do you Poe’s macabre style of writing. What significance do you think it has?think it has?

Mitch owns a silver cigarette case given to him by a Mitch owns a silver cigarette case given to him by a former lover. The inscription reads: “And if God choose, I former lover. The inscription reads: “And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.” This quote, as shall but love thee better after death.” This quote, as Blanche recalls, comes from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Blanche recalls, comes from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 43” . What significance do you think it has?“Sonnet 43” . What significance do you think it has?

seven-card studseven-card stud Seven-card stud is played with two downcards and one upcard Seven-card stud is played with two downcards and one upcard

dealt before the first betting round, followed by three more dealt before the first betting round, followed by three more upcards (with a betting round after each card) and one more upcards (with a betting round after each card) and one more downcard. After the last downcard is dealt, there is a final round downcard. After the last downcard is dealt, there is a final round of betting. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In all of betting. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In all fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two betting rounds, and the larger bet is wagered after the betting betting rounds, and the larger bet is wagered after the betting rounds on the fifth, sixth, and seventh cards. If there is an open rounds on the fifth, sixth, and seventh cards. If there is an open pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of making the pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of making the smaller or larger bet. Deliberately changing the order of your smaller or larger bet. Deliberately changing the order of your upcards in a stud game is improper because it unfairly misleads upcards in a stud game is improper because it unfairly misleads the other players.the other players. http://www.cardplayer.com/rules_of_poker/seven_card_stud

(Steven): This game is seven-card stud.(Steven): This game is seven-card stud. How is this a fitting end to the play?How is this a fitting end to the play?

posterposter

A student commented, A student commented, after looking at the play after looking at the play poster, “Blanche is poster, “Blanche is drowning herself in her drowning herself in her broken life.” broken life.”

How is this a fitting How is this a fitting assessment for what assessment for what happens during the happens during the play?play?

What aspect of the play What aspect of the play is illustrated by each of the is illustrated by each of the

illustrations?illustrations?