A Streetcar Named Desire - Key Quotations

Characters

Stanley

• Assertive and possessive – demands Stella's presence.
• Critical of others' financial dishonesty.
• Dominates his environment, claiming authority with "Every Man is a King!"

Stella

• Emotionally attached to Stanley, struggles during his absence.
• Pleads for kindness towards Blanche.
• Torn between loyalty to Stanley and disbelief in Blanche's story.

Blanche

• Critical and honest about her perceptions.
• Seeks kindness amidst her chaotic life.
• Holds old-fashioned ideals, feels confused by the world.

Mitch

• Deals with familial responsibilities.
• Skeptical of Blanche's honesty.
• Torn between attraction to Blanche and his moral reservations.

Themes

• Desire and Destitution: Blanche's journey symbolized by the streetcar named Desire leading to Cemeteries.
• Reality vs. Illusion: Blanche's struggle with her ideals and the harsh reality.
• Kindness and Dependence: Blanche's reliance on strangers for kindness.

Key Scenes

Blanches Arrival

• Symbolic journey leading to Elysian Fields where the story unfolds.

Loss of Belle Reve

• Blanche feels abandoned by Stella as she fought to keep their ancestral home.

Blanches Drinking

• Stanley's harsh observation on Blanche's drinking habits.

After Stanley Beats Stella

• Dramatic reconciliation between Stanley and Stella despite abuse.

Fighting in Elysian Fields

• Tension between Blanche and Stella regarding social norms.

The Coke Incident

• Symbolizes Blanche's inner turmoil and fragility.

Discovery of Allan's Homosexuality

• Blanche's past trauma and its impact on her perception of love and light.

Stanley Ejecting Blanche

• Illustrates Stanley's aggressive attempts to control his household.

Mitch's Confrontation with Blanche

• Mitch rejects Blanche, emphasizing her perceived deceitfulness.

Stanley and Blanche's Final Confrontation

• Stanley unveils Blanche's illusions, asserting dominance.

Blanche's Exit

• Signals the end of Blanche’s hopes and integration.

The Ending

• Stella's emotional collapse after Blanche's departure, comforted sensually by Stanley.