A Streetcar Named Desire Scene Three

Scene Three – a pivotal scene Initially the play was to be called “The Poker Party” Why? Scene three cements Stanley’s identity as the villain Scene three highlights the primal nature of Stanley and Stella’s relationship Scene three illustrates Stanley’s domination over his friends as he makes all the decisions about the game Scene three illustrates his friends devotion as they look after him tenderly when he is drunk Scene three is when Stella first chooses Stanley over Blanche. This foreshadows events later in the play - Stella has already decided whose side she is on

Characterisation: Blanche We learn more about Blanche in this scene: Her vanity makes her lie about Stella’s age Her inability to deal with reality makes her claim that she has come to help out because Stella has not been well Yet, none of her lies are malicious. She tells lies in order to protect herself from reality and the tragedies she has to endure

Characterisation: Blanche Her seductive posturing half undressed in the gap in the curtains appears instinctive when men are around. This highlights the contradictions in her character : the genteel Southern lady who expects men to stand up when she comes in and who cannot bear a rude remark or vulgar action and the cheap seductress

Characterisation: Blanche Blanche’s purchase of the Chinese lantern to put over the light bulb is again symbolic of her inability to face reality. Both literally and metaphorically light threatens to reveal Blanche’s lies Blanche’s determination to take Stella away from Stanley is not forgiven or forgotten by Stanley and makes him all the more determined to be rid of his unwanted visitor

Characterisation: Stanley Stanley’s loud and domineering behaviour during the poker game as well as his loud shirts emphasise his manliness Stanley throwing down the watermelon emphasises his disregard both for the house and for Stella. It foreshadows the radio incident and hints at his capacity for violence Stanley’s drinking symbolises destructive behaviour as he commits domestic violence His shower symbolises his attempts to wash away his sins i.e. hitting Stella – rather similarly to Blanche’s bathing

Stanley and Stella Stella and Stanley’s reunion conveys the extent of their desire for each other. Stella’s desire for Stanley is so great that she is prepared to forgive him anything Their “animal-like” moans when they embrace on the front steps illustrates their animal-like passion for each other There is a sense of King Kong in Stanley picking up Stella and carrying her away. This reminds us of his primitive/ape like qualities Stella choosing Stanley foreshadows the outcome of the play. She has decided whose side she is on

Blanche and Mitch Mitch is the complete opposite of Stanley. He is kind, understanding, sympathetic and shy Blanche’s conversation with Mitch at the end of the scene emphasises the class differences between them and highlights the efforts he is making to overcome them The description of their dancing symbolises that ultimately they are ill-suited to each other – “Mitch dances clumsily, mimicking Blanche’s grand movements”

Stagecraft The harsh, jarring discordant piano sounds highlight the harshness of what is happening on stage – Stanley’s violence