A Streetcar Named Desire- Scene 5
This scene illustrates Williams' use of symbolism. The astrological signs, the spilled coke on
Blanche's white dress, and the cherry soda that the young man mentions are all used as
slightly suggestive symbols.
Steve and Eunice’s relationship
Parallel for the relationship between Stella and Stanley- characterised by domestic violence
and aggression. The violence seems to erupt here- ‘aluminium striking a wall…a man’s
angry roar…a crash’. Violence not seen but merely heard indicating how the residents of
Elysian Fields choose to dismiss the damage caused and avoid dealing with the reality. When
Stanley hits Stella, this is also only overheard.
Steve and Eunice, like Stanley and Stella, have a relationship that blows hot and cold and has
ferocious underpinnings. Sex and violence are paired on both floors of the house.
The solution for Eunice is to go to the ‘Four Deuces’ and have a drink, described as
‘practical’ by Stella- dismissive again. Both women overlook their husband’s aggression.
The fact they can hear the ‘disturbance’ which is ‘upstairs’ highlight how there is no privacy
or refuge from violence within this society. The streets of New Orleans are never quiet, and
the constant disturbance highlights the ugliness of reality, and to Blanche the ‘crude’ people
on the streets represents the decline of civilised culture ,and she is surrounded by men who
completely destroy her image of the perfect ‘gentleman’.
Pattern of reconciliation- mirrors ending of Scene 3- Steve ‘cooing love words’ and going
upstairs in ‘a tight embrace’. Both Stella and Eunice have blind loyalty and return to their
toxic relationship- though they passionately lash against each other, they just as
passionately make up. However, at this same moment, ‘there is a murmur of thunder’ to
add a contrasting atmosphere, perhaps to foreshadow that this reconciliation between the
two is simply the calm before the storm, and their relationship is still in reality one of
darkness and danger.
Dynamic between Stanley and Blanche
Stanley and Blanche make tense conversation: she attempts to banter lightly, while he is
more than usually brusque.
Blanche claims to understand Stanley by referring to star signs but this allows Stanley to
undermine her when he discovers she’s a Virgo: ‘the Virgin’. His short reply ‘Hah!’ expressed
‘contemptuously’ shows his derision of her, in another attempt to make Blanche feel
uncomfortable.
Blanche tries to explain the world around her through mythology, but Stanley cuts through
her fantasies and symbols. The discussion about the stars is also an oblique power struggle
over Stella (“stella” means “star”): Stanley rejects Blanche’s interpretation of the
constellations.
Stanley lets Blanche know that he’s not fooled by her- mentions ‘Shaw’ and the ‘Flamingo
hotel’- a disreputable establishment. His aim is to unsettle her, which it does- she ‘laughs
breathlessly’ and speaks in a voice with ‘a note of fear’. Beginning to unravel her deceit.
Paranoia shown by her questioning Stella once Stanley has left.
This scene illustrates Williams' use of symbolism. The astrological signs, the spilled coke on
Blanche's white dress, and the cherry soda that the young man mentions are all used as
slightly suggestive symbols.
Steve and Eunice’s relationship
Parallel for the relationship between Stella and Stanley- characterised by domestic violence
and aggression. The violence seems to erupt here- ‘aluminium striking a wall…a man’s
angry roar…a crash’. Violence not seen but merely heard indicating how the residents of
Elysian Fields choose to dismiss the damage caused and avoid dealing with the reality. When
Stanley hits Stella, this is also only overheard.
Steve and Eunice, like Stanley and Stella, have a relationship that blows hot and cold and has
ferocious underpinnings. Sex and violence are paired on both floors of the house.
The solution for Eunice is to go to the ‘Four Deuces’ and have a drink, described as
‘practical’ by Stella- dismissive again. Both women overlook their husband’s aggression.
The fact they can hear the ‘disturbance’ which is ‘upstairs’ highlight how there is no privacy
or refuge from violence within this society. The streets of New Orleans are never quiet, and
the constant disturbance highlights the ugliness of reality, and to Blanche the ‘crude’ people
on the streets represents the decline of civilised culture ,and she is surrounded by men who
completely destroy her image of the perfect ‘gentleman’.
Pattern of reconciliation- mirrors ending of Scene 3- Steve ‘cooing love words’ and going
upstairs in ‘a tight embrace’. Both Stella and Eunice have blind loyalty and return to their
toxic relationship- though they passionately lash against each other, they just as
passionately make up. However, at this same moment, ‘there is a murmur of thunder’ to
add a contrasting atmosphere, perhaps to foreshadow that this reconciliation between the
two is simply the calm before the storm, and their relationship is still in reality one of
darkness and danger.
Dynamic between Stanley and Blanche
Stanley and Blanche make tense conversation: she attempts to banter lightly, while he is
more than usually brusque.
Blanche claims to understand Stanley by referring to star signs but this allows Stanley to
undermine her when he discovers she’s a Virgo: ‘the Virgin’. His short reply ‘Hah!’ expressed
‘contemptuously’ shows his derision of her, in another attempt to make Blanche feel
uncomfortable.
Blanche tries to explain the world around her through mythology, but Stanley cuts through
her fantasies and symbols. The discussion about the stars is also an oblique power struggle
over Stella (“stella” means “star”): Stanley rejects Blanche’s interpretation of the
constellations.
Stanley lets Blanche know that he’s not fooled by her- mentions ‘Shaw’ and the ‘Flamingo
hotel’- a disreputable establishment. His aim is to unsettle her, which it does- she ‘laughs
breathlessly’ and speaks in a voice with ‘a note of fear’. Beginning to unravel her deceit.
Paranoia shown by her questioning Stella once Stanley has left.
