A Streetcar Named Desire
Scene 7 notes
*In this scene, Stanley reveals all about Blanche’s past-Blanche’s
ruin is sealed by the end of the scene
*The scene is set indoors which creates an intimacy that
magnifies the impact of Stanley’s revelations
Conversation between Stella and Stanley
STANLEY: And serve em’ to Her Majesty!
Derogatory nickname emphasises Stanley’s dislike of Blanche
STANLEY: Set down! I’ve got th’ dope on your big sister
Colloquial language-Stanley’s direct nature
STANLEY: That girl calls me common!
Italics and exclamation-tone of outrage at Blanche’s hypocrisy
STANLEY: So, I been told. And told and told and told!
Repetition and exclamation suggests Stanley’s anger building-
tension builds as Stanley becomes increasingly annoyed at being
talked down to
Stanley’s actions at revealing Blanche’s past are motivated by
numerous factors:
1. Threat Blanche poses to his marriage-attempt to re-establish
what he perceives as his natural dominance
2. Tired of being insulted
3. Stanley is a realist and so has disdain for Blanche’s illusions
BLANCHE is singing in the bathroom a saccharine popular ballad
which is used contrapunctually with STANLEY’S speech
Blanche is both present and removed from the scene-reflects her
insanity-is able to be present in both the real world and the fantasy
world
STANLEY: Lie Number One
Stanley forensically strips Blanche of her lies and pretentions
STANLEY: But Sister Blanche is no lily! Ha-ha! Some lily she is!
Mocking nickname-ironic-nuns associated with chastity-Stanley
undercuts the superiority Blanche has had since she arrived –
although Blanche has tried to imply she is less base / crude than
Stanley, she is driven by desire as much as any other character
STANLEY: She is famous in Laurel…only she is not respected by
any party!
Derogatory comparison exposes reality of Blanche’s reputation
BLANCHE: (singing blithely) “Say it’s only a paper moon
Scene 7 notes
*In this scene, Stanley reveals all about Blanche’s past-Blanche’s
ruin is sealed by the end of the scene
*The scene is set indoors which creates an intimacy that
magnifies the impact of Stanley’s revelations
Conversation between Stella and Stanley
STANLEY: And serve em’ to Her Majesty!
Derogatory nickname emphasises Stanley’s dislike of Blanche
STANLEY: Set down! I’ve got th’ dope on your big sister
Colloquial language-Stanley’s direct nature
STANLEY: That girl calls me common!
Italics and exclamation-tone of outrage at Blanche’s hypocrisy
STANLEY: So, I been told. And told and told and told!
Repetition and exclamation suggests Stanley’s anger building-
tension builds as Stanley becomes increasingly annoyed at being
talked down to
Stanley’s actions at revealing Blanche’s past are motivated by
numerous factors:
1. Threat Blanche poses to his marriage-attempt to re-establish
what he perceives as his natural dominance
2. Tired of being insulted
3. Stanley is a realist and so has disdain for Blanche’s illusions
BLANCHE is singing in the bathroom a saccharine popular ballad
which is used contrapunctually with STANLEY’S speech
Blanche is both present and removed from the scene-reflects her
insanity-is able to be present in both the real world and the fantasy
world
STANLEY: Lie Number One
Stanley forensically strips Blanche of her lies and pretentions
STANLEY: But Sister Blanche is no lily! Ha-ha! Some lily she is!
Mocking nickname-ironic-nuns associated with chastity-Stanley
undercuts the superiority Blanche has had since she arrived –
although Blanche has tried to imply she is less base / crude than
Stanley, she is driven by desire as much as any other character
STANLEY: She is famous in Laurel…only she is not respected by
any party!
Derogatory comparison exposes reality of Blanche’s reputation
BLANCHE: (singing blithely) “Say it’s only a paper moon
