Summary
Summary A Streetcar Named Desire Scene 5
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- CCEA
Summary notes for key quotes from A Streetcar Named Desire Scene 5
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A Streetcar Named DesireScene 5 notes
Conversation between Stella and Blanche
BLANCHE: I’m writing a letter to Shep
As an audience, we are unsure if Shep is an actual character or
simply a delusion of Blanche
The paper of the letter is symbolic of Blanche’s delusions (link to
paper lantern)-inability of pleasant illusions to overcome ugly reality
She laughs nervously and brightly touching her throat as if
actually talking to SHEP
As the audience, we oscillate between finding Blanche’s lies pathetic
and sympathetic-they are evidence of her continued delusions but
also reflect the reality of the financial dependence women had on
men
EUNICE: (shrieking) You hit me! I’m going to call the police
Pattern of domestic violence in the play-Eunice and Steve
foreshadows the relationship Stella and Stanley will eventually
become when their sexual passion extinguishes
Conversation between Stella and Stanley
STANLEY comes around the corner in his green and scarlet silk
bowling shirt
Colour symbolism-gaudy and low status but also symbol of vibrancy,
energy and vitality
STELLA: She and Steve had a row. Has she got the police?
STANLEY: Naw. She’s getting a drink
Stanley reflects the casual attitude towards domestic violence that
existed at this time
Many of the characters turn to alcohol when their relationships fail
or when unpleasant reality confronts them
Conversation between Blanche and Stanley
BLANCHE: I bet you were born under Aries. Aries people are
forceful and dynamic
Blanche tries to explain the world through mythology but Stanley
cuts through her fantasies and symbols
This discussion about stars and horoscopes can also be read as an
implicit reference to the oblique power struggle over Stella (whose
name means ‘star’)
STANLEY: Say, do you happen to know somebody named Shaw?
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