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Summary A Streetcar Named Desire Scene 4
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Summary notes for key quotes for A Streetcar Named Desire Scene 4
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1A Streetcar Named DesireScene 4 notes
Opening stage directions
Her eyes and lips have that almost narcotized tranquillity
Adjective ‘narcotized’-suggests sex acts as a drug in Stella and
Stanley’s relationship-Stella’s attraction to Stanley blinds her to the
abusive reality of their relationship
Debris of the previous night
Despite the fact that Stella is so relaxed and content, the evidence
of Stanley’s violent actions still remains in the scene (theme of
illusion vs reality)
BLANCHE appears at this door. She has spent a sleepless night
and her appearance entirely contrasts with Stella
Contrast between relaxation of Stella and anxiousness of Blanche-
ironically, while Blanche’s character is most typically associated
with illusion and avoidance of reality, she is able to take a more
realistic view to Stella’s relationship with Stanley
Conversation between Blanche and Stella about the previous
night
*Throughout this scene Blanche and Stella act as foils to one
another
BLANCHE utters a moaning cry…throwing herself down beside
STELLA in a rush of hysterical tenderness
Stage directions indicate Blanche’s dramatic tendencies and
hyperbolic reactions
BLANCHE: Why, you must have slept with him!
Exclamation-Blanche finally understands the sexual, passionate
nature of Stella and Stanley’s relationship
Blanche’s judgement of Stella is ironic / hypocritical given her own
destructive sexual past
STELLA: It’s always a powder keg
Metaphor-violence as an inherent, inevitable part of masculinity
STELLA: He was as good as a lamb
Simile-Stella’s ability to forgive and overlook Stanley’s behaviour-
emphasises destructive nature of desire-blinds Stella to the abusive
reality of her marriage (both Stella and Blanche are capable of
delusion)
STELLA: He smashed all the light-bulbs with the heel of my
slipper…I was-sort of-thrilled by it
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