Steve & Eunice
Notes for A Streetcar Named Desire Scenes 5 and 6
Steve and Eunice have an argument about Steve “going upstairs” (visiting prostitutes)
at the Four Deuces (local bar). The argument becomes violent. Eunice hits Steve and
when he hits her, she says she will go call the police. Instead, she goes to the Four
Deuces herself and has a drink. Stella’s reaction is: “That’s much more practical.”
THE POINT: Abuse is a naturally accepted occurrence there at Elysian Fields.
Astrological Signs
Stanley:
Blanche:
Capricorn, the goat (stubborn, sexual promiscuity of satyr)
Virgo, the virgin (and Blanche wants everyone to believe she is virginal)
“somebody named Shaw”: Stanley says he knows somebody named Shaw who knows Blanche from the
Flamingo Hotel (a seedy, second rate flop house). Blanche denies ever being there; however,
her reaction indicates otherwise. She becomes “frantic,” “nervous,” and dabs herself with
perfume (symbolic of covering up), says “everyone knows somebody named Shaw” (a weak)
excuse. She also asks Stella if she’s heard anything about her, and admits that she has done
things she was not proud of.
Colors & Clothes:
Stanley - enters the scene in his bright scarlet and green silk bowling shirt (the stag e
directions of scene 3 says that bold colors show power. Stan shows some of his power
in this scene by confronting Blanche about Shaw.
Blanche – spills soda on her white skirt but the stain comes out
Stan tries to ruin Blanche’s image if purity with gossip about the flamingo, but it fails
to stick
What Blanche Says/What Blanche Does
Says: She tells Stella she refuses to “put-out” to keep Mitch
She objects to Mitch doing any more than kissing her on their date
She tells Mitch she has “Old fashioned ideals”
Does: She kisses the paperboy!
She asks Mitch (in French-he doesn’t know French) if her would like to go to bed with her
tonight
She rolls her eyes when she says she has old-fashioned ideals (Mitch cannot see)
Blanche & Mitch’s Date
Mae West
not a good date. Blanche seems rather bored. Mitch makes poor conversation;
he talks about Blanche’s age and even asks her weight. He does say that he
talked to his mother about her (a good sign that he is seriously interested in
Blanche)
a popular actress known for her open sexuality. Mitch wins a statuette of Mae West at the
carnival. (reminiscent of Blanche and her “loose” ways)
Armand and Camellias
Blanche says, “I am Camellias. You are Armand” to Mitch. These are
characters from a 19th century novel 1848 by Alexander Dumas fils, Le Dame Aux Camellias
(later 1853 made into an opera by Giusseppe Verdi, La Traviata). Camellias is a courtesan (a
prostitute) and Armand is the man of some social station that falls in love with her. He wants to
take Camellias away from her life. To save him the shame he would suffer to be with her, she
leaves him. He comes to her anyway, but she dies of TB. THE POINT: Blanche is admitting to
being a prostitute of sorts, and she wants Mitch to “rescue” her from her former life.
Allan Grey
Blanche’s husband-“the boy.” Blanche walked in on him and an older man that had been his
friend in some sort of compromising position (it’s not stated exactly) that revealed her
husband was gay. Blanche said nothing until later that night, while dancing to the
Varsouviana (know this term) she said, “I saw. I know. You disgust me!” Allan broke away
from her, ran outside, put a gun in his mouth and killed himself. Blanche blames herself.
Light and Lampshade Symbol
Light=truth. A lampshade dims the light, making it softer and more pleasant. Blanche dims the
truth, making it more pleasant. The lampshade is emerging as a symbol of Blanche.
Notes for A Streetcar Named Desire Scenes 7 & 8
Blanche’s Bathing: She is trying to rid herself of her guilt and sins. She is cleansing her soul.
Lie #1:
Lie #2:
Blanche was at the Flamingo Hotel, but they threw her out (how bad do you have to be for
that?!) She was regarded as insane by the town. The army base called Belle Reve “out of
bounds,” she was so sexually promiscuous. Eventually, she was run out of town.
Blanche is NOT taking a leave of absence from school. She was fired for having a sexual
relationship with a seventeen year old student.
Song: “It’s only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea” (moon, sea=fake like Blanche)
“But it wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me”
(Blanche needs to convince people of her
lies because then it can be the truth for her.)
Stella’s Reaction to Stanley’s News
1.
shock/disbelief/denial
2.
acceptance (admits Blanche was always a little “flighty”)
3.
defends Blanche (says Blanche was tender and trusting, but people like Stanley abused her
and forced her to change. She says that Allan was a “degenerate.”)
Stanley tells Mitch about Blanche Because…
1.
He says it’s because Mitch is his best friend and he had to watch out for his best interests
2.
Really, Stanley hates Blanche for calling him “common” an “ape” and a “brute” and has made
Stella see Stanley that way
3.
Stanley want sot able to have loud, passionate sex without Blanche in the other room (only
separated by a curtain)
Stanley has outbursts in this scene:
1.
Hurls plate to floor because Stella calls him a “pig,” “disgusting,” and “greasy.”
2.
Stanley yells because Blanche calls Stanley a Polack.
THE POINT: Stanley isn’t going to take much more of this. He is getting more irate and the
women are inciting him more.
Stan’s Bowling Shirt:
Torn: The green and scarlet silk shirt is symbolic of Stanley’s virile manhood, control and power. As
Stella tears the shirt, her image of Stanley is being “torn.”