A Streetcar Named Desire: Scene 3
This scene is a key turning point in the play — so much so that Williams originally wanted to
name his play 'The Poker Night' which adds gravity to the events which take place.
The Opening Stage Directions
• The kitchen reflects Van Gogh's ‘billiard-parlour' painting. This makes Williams'
vision even more notable.
• Williams begins the directions with a description of the 'lurid nocturnal brilliance' of
the kitchen. The juxtaposition of 'nocturnal' and 'brilliance' creates an almost
oxymoronic image that implies a falseness or absence of genuine light. This gives a
surreal, psychedelic feel to the room and creates an absence of normality that extends
to the events of the scene. This can also perhaps be linked to Blanche as a moth, in that
she is attracted to her romanticized ideal of masculinity, which proves to be shallow
and basic.
• All four of the men in this scene wear 'coloured shirts' and are described as 'men at the
peak of their physical manhood' — this provides immediate visual contrast between
Blanche's 'white' femininity and the block colours that represent masculine, reflecting
the fact that the men are in control. This is emphasised by the fact that for the first
time, women are outnumbered by men in the house, showing the shift in power and
displaying Stanley’s authority.
• When thinking of the colour 'white' as an amalgamation of all colours it is interesting
to consider how mono-faceted the masculine primary colours are. Through Williams’
literature, it is evident that he is trying to explore the idea of female identity, which
may explain why the presentation of Stanley is often aggressive and domineering,
perhaps to reflect his own physically abusive father.
The dialogue
• "Why don't somebody go to the Chinamans"- shows Stanley's friends' lack of
understanding of the English language - direct contrast to Blanche's
elaborate, hyperbolic language.
• "Openers! Get off the table, Mitch. "- highlights Stanley's dominance within the
friendship group.
• "Lurches"- aggressive, animalistic language which arguably accentuates
Stanley's primitive nature.
• "Tosses"- shows Stanley's lack of care towards his own property, since he knows he
has Stella to always clean up after him.
• "I gotta sick mother"- Mitch's expressive nature and emotional intelligence almost
immediately sets him apart from all other men in the play.
• Mitch's admitting "I'll be alone" seemingly emasculates him as a character, as it shows
that he is in need of love and support. This loneliness reflects Blanche's own, enabling
Williams to pair them together, although the foundation of their relationship is built on
tragedy.
• "Rooster right behind her and gaining on her fast"- reminiscent of Canterbury tales
highlighting Stanley's animalistic nature further, while also establishes Stanley as
an alpha (contributing to his tragic villain nature)?
• For the first time as of yet, Williams labels Blanche and Stella not as singular beings
but as "the sisters"- this emphasises the vulnerability of women at this time, showing
how they had to take solace and find protection in each other when men invaded their
home.
, • Blanche's asking "how do I look?" issued as a device by Williams to ensure the
audience is aware of Blanche's insecurities, and links to the semantic field of age and
beauty, as well as false appearances. This question is undoubtedly riddled with anxiety
and despair as Blanche searches for reassurance that she immediately dismisses. This
can be seen again with Blanche's recognition of a daisy as "one that's been picked for a
few days"- here the image of a wilting flower is presented, which acts as another
reminder to the audience of Blanche's age and perhaps her inevitable downwards spiral
into tragedy.
• "Nobody's going to get up, so don't be worried."- Stanley has control of this scene,
including all of the events and even reactions by characters - nothing happens unless
Stanley says so.
• "Kibitz"- to offer advice in a card game.
• "loud whack of his hand on her thigh."- This illustrates Stanley's primitive and also
sexual nature/tendencies. A physical representation of the power dynamic between
Stanley and Stella, and perhaps foreshadowing the abuse that is yet to come.
• "It makes me so mad when he does that in front of people"- This implies Stanley
abuses Stella often, usually in the private sphere of their home, though it suggests a
common occurrence.
• Mitch's "awkward courtesy"- He is not a desirable man, and Blanche's supposed
affection for him alludes to her desperation. This phrase in particular effectively
describes Mitch's entire character, and when Mitch "stares" at Blanche, his confusion
could be put down to his lack of understanding on how to wield power in a
relationship.
• Mitch's "embarrassed laugh" further highlights the contrast between Mitch and
Blanche as characters, as Blanche is desperately trying to embody a picture of elegance
and eloquence, which contrasts to Mitch's awkwardness.
• "Blanche looks after him with a certain interest": Here, Blanche is hypocritical in that
she copies Stanley's inappropriate behaviour almost exactly, sizing up Mitch to see
whether he would be able to fulfil her sexual desires.
• "His mother is sick." (Stella) "Is he married?" (Blanche)- As an audience you are
drawn to Blanches' blatant disregard and lack of sympathy toward Mitch, as she shows
little compassion for his circumstances, rather she is interested in his status. As women
in 19040’s America were known for their comforting tone and pleasant character, we
expect this to also apply to Blanche, as she attempts to maintain the illusion of her lady
like and gracious character. Surely, this would have not only shocked the audience but
will have also invited an uncomfortable atmosphere as Blanche does not conform to
this societal norm. In fact, she does not give any sign of empathy which is crucial to
note. Thus, this reinforces Blanche as a glacial character.
• ‘She takes off her blouse and stands in the pink silk brassiere and white skirt in the
light through the portieres'- Williams suggests the only way someone will be interested
in her is due to her appearance. Consequently, this reveals why Blanche is so insecure
about her looks. She knows once her attraction fades, she will have no chance at love.
• "You know that one upstairs? [More laughter] one time [laughing] the plaster
[laughing] cracked"- In this scene we also witness Blanche and Stella laugh together
which is one of the few times we witness this in the play. It is striking to note the
similarities they hold, as well as how both of them can be rude and guile. They devalue
other women using insults which reflect the patriarchal society. From a feminist
perspective, perhaps this provokes amusement for them as they have learnt how to
gather joy from these scornful conversations due to their own oppression in society.
Perhaps Williams was attempting to critique how women speak about one another.
• 'He was looking through those drapes' 'what does he do?'- Both Blanche and Mitch are
shown to be intrigued by one another's presence. However, they show this to the
