A Streetcar Named Desire - Quotes A Streetcar Named Desire - Quotes
"They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six
blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields!" ️️*Blanche DuBois to Eunice and Negro woman upon
arriving at Kowalski apartment...
A Streetcar Named Desire - Quotes A Streetcar Named Desire
- Quotes
"They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six
blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields!" ✔️✔️*Blanche DuBois to Eunice and Negro woman upon
arriving at Kowalski apartment, Scene 1*
Desire and death are two aspects that became important in the latter part of Blanche's life. The literal
death of her husband along with the metaphorical death of her social life were both caused by her
strong carnal desires which have caused her to be in the position she is in the play. This eventually leads
to her downfall in Elysian Fields where she gets off the street-car.
"I want to be near you, got to be with somebody, I can't be alone!" ✔️✔️*Blanche to her sister Stella
Kowalski, Scene 1.*
This is the first hint we get of Blanche's madness. Oddly enough, it isn't solitude but rather the negative
influence of other people that ultimately destroys her.
"But you are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I! I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died
for it!" ✔️✔️*Blanche to Stella, telling she has lost their childhood home, Scene 1.*
The extent of Blanche's social and economic descent have not yet become known to Stella, but Blanche
is clearly resentful of Stella's life with Stanley, as condescending as she is towards the latter and as much
as pretends to a level of class well beyond that which Stanley can ever provide for Stella. Blanche's
promiscuous past and series of love affairs have resulted in her exile from the town in which she and her
late-husband had lived and prospered. Stanley's animal magnetism and virility are more than a little
attractive to Blanche, as they are to Stella, and Blanche's resentment towards her sister are manifested
in the only way she knows: repeated references to Stella's departure from Belle Reve.
BLANCHE: "No, I — rarely touch it."
STANLEY KOWALSKI: "Some people rarely touch it, but it touched them often." ✔️✔️*On Alcohol,
Scene 1.*
, Throughout the beginning of the play, Blanche makes very obvious remarks that hide her true self. She
even says that women are 50% illusion and the other half truth. This quote builds on Blanche's facade of
purity because, in reality, she's had numerous drinks from before Stella arrived at Stanley's question.
Her lie to Stanley eludes to the audience that Blanche is not as pure as she seems to appear and, in
reality, she has a drinking problem. She appears to be in denial and continues to portray herself as
innocent.
"In the state of Louisiana we have the Napoleonic code according to which what belongs to the wife
belongs to the husband and vice versa." ✔️✔️*Stanley, upset over loss of Belle Reve property and
possibility of Stella being swindled by Blanche, explains Napoleonic Code to Stella, Scene 2.*
Stanley fears of Blanche's use of deception and persuasion skills to lure her sister into her world. Stanley
tries to protect his wife by stating that a Napoleonic Code applies to him meaning whatever Stella owns,
he owns. This is clearly a way of protecting his wife as Blanche sold her property in the past and tries to
persuade her sister to get away from this society. By stating that men own everything, it relates to the
theme of men overpowering women and the theme of unequal rights for women as it was at that time
of the play.
"I don't go in for that stuff ... compliments to women about their looks. I never met a dame yet didn't
know she was good looking or not without being told. And I've met some of them who give themselves
credit for more than they've got." ✔️✔️*Stanley to Blanche, Scene 2.*
This reflects Stanley's views of women in general. Stanley can easily size up a woman at a glance. He is
able to tell if he is able to manipulate them and if he even cares to try.
"I know I fib a good deal. After all, a woman's charm is fifty percent illusion, but when a thing is
important I tell the truth, and this is the truth: I haven't cheated my sister or you or anyone else as long
as I have lived." ✔️✔️*Blanche to Stanley, who asked her bluntly about the loss of Belle Reve, Scene
2.*
People who have to justify the fact that they are not liars are generally the biggest liars. Which is
interesting because she does admit to "fibbing" she probably does this to prove a point, that yes,
humans do "fib" but she does not tell larger more important "lies."
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller CertifiedGrades. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.80. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
