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Summary A Streetcar Named Desire Scene 1 Analysis
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Summary notes for all key quotes Scene 1 A Streetcar Named Desire
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A Streetcar Named DesireScene 1 notes
Prologue
And so it was I entered the broken world
Link to setting of the play-poor and visibly decayed
Could also refer to something psychologically broken-psychological
turmoil rooted in societal and cultural background in which
characters live
Context-post WW2-traumatic catastrophe of war
Opening stage directions
Elysian Fields
Symbolic use of place names-reference to Greek mythology
(equivalent of heaven)-ironic-subtle allusion to Greek tragedy
implies tragic end for Blanche
The section is poor but…has a raffish charm
Opening description of setting immediately situates play within
particular socio-economic context
The sky…is a peculiarly tender blue…which invests the scene with
a kind of lyricism
Williams’ description of setting is indicative of his ability to combine
both realistic and expressionistic techniques to create a lucid sense
of setting.
The use of Romantic language here imbues the setting with a
dream-like quality and creates a striking image in the mind of the
audience.
The sky that shows around the dim white building is a peculiarly
tender blue
Contrasting use of colours-muted white versus vibrant blue-class
connotations of colours-predominance of the blue suggests that
working-class Stanley will be triumphant in the class struggle
embodied in the play
Blue Piano
Symbolic use of music in play-here it symbolises the bustling
vibrancy of New Orleans
In his opening stage directions, Williams appeals to more than one
sense at a time-SYNATHESIA
New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city where there is a relatively
warm and easy intermingling of races
New world much more cosmopolitan than the old world with its
racial hierarchies
, Opening interaction between Stella and Stanley
roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes
Opening description of Stanley and Mitch immediately identifies
them as working class
background obviously quite different from her husband’s
Theme of class-conflict immediately introduces as Stella and
Stanley’s backgrounds are juxtaposed
(mildly) Don’t holler at me like that
Although there is an imperative used it is qualified by the adverb
“mildly”-immediately establishes power dynamic of Stella and
Stanley’s relationship with Stanley clearly the dominant partner
Meat!
The exclamation presents Stanley as the breadwinner
There are sexual connotations in this exclamation-sexual
proprietorship he has over Stella and her infatuation with him
STELLA: (calling after him) Stanley! Where are you going?
STANLEY: Bowling!
Stanley’s curt, monosyllabic response reinforces the power
dynamics of their relationship
Opening description of Blanche
Her appearance is incongruous to this setting
First description of Blanche immediately identifies her as an outsider
figure-doesn’t fit into this working-class world-contrasts between her
dress and Stanley’s clothes
She is daintily dressed…looking as if she were arriving at a
summer tea or cocktail party
Blanche immediately presented in her role as Southern Belle-trying
to affect the appearance / role of Southern Belle through her dress
Her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light
First indication of Blanche’s fear of aging which is linked to her fear
of death-also linked to theme of truth and illusion and Blanche’s
consistent avoiding of reality
Adjective “delicate”-first sign of Blanche’s fragility
There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her
white clothes that suggest a moth
Moths are attracted to light and flame-ironic as Blanche typically
avoids light
Moths are also destructive creatures-link to Blanche’s repeated
patterns of self-destructive behaviour (drinking / sex)
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