A Streetcar Named Desire . . . discussion

desire “Desire” is used throughout the play, both literally and figuratively. At the end of Act II, Blanche tells Mitch that Desire is the opposite of Death. Explain her use of desire.

sanity At the end of the play, Blanche is taken away to an asylum. Do you believe she is insane? If she isn’t, what defines her sanity? Do you think she is responsible for her circumstances?

illusion vs. reality Blanche’s “world” is often contrasted to the world of Stanley’s and Stella’s. Blanche firmly states the kind of world she wants: “I don’t want realism. I want - magic!” In what way is Blanche’s world an illusion? Is it any less real than that of Stanley or Stella? What defines reality in A Streetcar Named Desire? What defines illusion?

astrology Tennessee Williams uses astrology to further define Blanche and Stanley. What do the astrological birth signs of Blanche and Stanley reveal about these characters? What about their names? What significance does the name Blanche DuBois hold? What about Stanley Kowalski?

music Music is as much a part of A Streetcar Named Desire as the dialogue. It is often argued that music acts as a second dialogue within a play. Tennessee Williams made specific reference to the Varsouviana throughout the play. When is it mentioned? What significance does it have for the character(s)? Does everyone hear this piece of music, or is it intended to be shared only by the audience and one or two other characters? What other music is used in the play? How is it used?

trapped Blanche makes reference to being trapped in the last few scenes of the play: “This place is a trap!" ... "In desperate, desperate circumstances! Help me! Caught in a trap!" What does she mean? Is Blanche the only person trapped? Who else is trapped?

images of light Images of light, both literal and figurative, appear throughout the play. Find at least two references to light and describe their significance.

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” When the doctor escorts Blanche out of the house, Blanche delivers her famous line: “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Why does she say this? Do you think this departure is a defeat or victory for Blanche? What about for Mitch? What about for Stanley and Stella?

literary allusions The play makes several references to the old streetcars of New Orleans and places found in literature. Describe the significance of the use of Desire Cemetaria Elysian Fields “the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir”

violence How does the play reveal violence and antagonistic behaviour? Who is affected by this behaviour and in what ways? How does this violence progress throughout the play and change the course of action?

significance After asking Stella “What on earth are you doing in a place like this?” Blanche claims that “Only Mr. Edgar Allan Poe - could do it justice! Out there, I suppose, is the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir.” This reference comes from Poe’s poem entitled “Ulalume”-a piece that highlights Poe’s macabre style of writing. What significance do you think it has? Mitch owns a silver cigarette case given to him by a former lover. The inscription reads: “And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.” This quote, as Blanche recalls, comes from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 43” . What significance do you think it has?

seven-card stud Seven-card stud is played with two downcards and one upcard dealt before the first betting round, followed by three more upcards (with a betting round after each card) and one more 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 fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two betting rounds, and the larger bet is wagered after the betting 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 smaller or larger bet. Deliberately changing the order of your upcards in a stud game is improper because it unfairly misleads the other players. http://www.cardplayer.com/rules_of_poker/seven_card_stud (Steven): This game is seven-card stud. How is this a fitting end to the play?

poster A student commented, after looking at the play poster, “Blanche is drowning herself in her broken life.” How is this a fitting assessment for what happens during the play?

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