A Streetcar Named Desire- Scene 2
This scene is vital for setting up the dynamic between Stanley and Blanche.
There has been a short break in time since Scene 1 (it is now six o’ clock the following
evening) and the animosity Stanley feels becomes clear.
This demonstrates the potential for violence and conflict as time progresses.
Key idea in this scene is the Napoleonic code: a code of law recognised in New Orleans from
the days of French rule that places women’s property in the hands of their husbands. Calling
upon the Napoleonic code enables Stanley to justify his feelings of entitlement toward
Stella’s inheritance. In doing so, he shows that he is ignorant of legal technicalities, because
Belle Reve, located in Laurel, Mississippi, wouldn’t fall under New Orleans jurisdiction.
1. This is the first scene in which Blanche takes a bath. What does Blanche’s bathing symbolise?
Blanche claims this is ‘to quiet her nerves’ and console herself. However, it can also
be seen as symbolic of her attempt to cleanse herself of her conscience and the guilt
she feels about her husband’s suicide.
As the play progresses, we also see how this becomes a world in which she can act
out her fantasies and illusions- it becomes a ritual upon which she is grows more and
more dependent, like a form of escapism that follows through the play.
Bathing allows Blanche to stay in her façade and calm herself and almost allows her
to have an oasis away from the flat that Stella and Stanley live in.
It could be linked to how Lady Macbeth constantly washes her hands to try and rid
herself of her sins after partaking in murder- similarly Blanche is trying to cleanse
herself of her sins and her past life when she was a school teacher.
Blanche emerges from the bath in a ‘red satin robe’- this could represent sexuality,
and Blanche attempting to seem attractive and vivacious in the presence of a man.
Blanche tries to flirt with Stanley by emphasising her femininity, but Stanley
continues to assert his physical dominance.
2. What do we understand about the relationship between Stanley and Stella at the beginning
of the scene? How does Blanche impact upon this?
Expectations of gender roles- Stella’s domestic role and Stanley’s dominance over
her.
We begin to see the impact Blanche is having on the relationship between Stanley
and Stella- Stanley is clearly infuriated by Blanche’s presence- more aggressive in
language and actions.
Clear tension between them and at this stage Stella seems to be more sympathetic
towards her sister- when Stanley says ‘The Kowalskis and the DuBois have different
notions’, Stella replies ‘angrily’- ‘Indeed they have, thank heavens’.
In the beginning, Stella chooses Blanche which angers Stanely as he believes he
comes first as her husband despite Blanche being her sister who is clearly in a bad
state. ‘Stanley! You come out here and let Blanche finish dressing.’ Sense of
, protection that Stella has over her sister at this point in the play- she sees her as
fragile and saves her from the harshness and backlash of Stanley.
Perhaps Stella later sides with her husband for the sake of the baby- this will
permanently connect the two, and Blanche cannot come between this.
Stella clearly tries to mediate between Stanley and Blanche, although her efforts
often fail: “try to understand her and be nice to her Stan.”
Stanley relies on Stella to do simple tasks for him when he asks about his supper that
would have been provided for him, it shows his expectation towards Stella and he
later shows early resentment by avoiding the Galatoires’: “how about my supper,
huh?”
3. What is the significance of Stanley’s discussion of the Napoleonic Code?
Initially makes it seem like he is aware of his rights.
The Napoleonic Code does not apply to Belle Reve, as it is in Mississippi. Stella
believes Stanley will be more successful than his friends, but we see his ignorance
here.
Stanley is suspicious of Blanche- will cause further tension.
Stanley’s exclamations of trying to enforce the Napoleonic Code demonstrate his
ideals, archaic and dated which compares to the ideas of New Orleans being a
modern, and progressive for the time. ‘what belongs to the wife belongs to the
husband and vice versa.’
It is quite a traditional code which can emphasise Stanley’s desire to control women
and exercise his masculinity over them, Stanley is perhaps realising that Stella is
choosing Blanche over him in some situations and here he is trying to reclaim her
through reclaiming her property.
There are also technical implications of this as the code would not apply to Belle
Reve as it is in Mississippi and Stella and Stanley live in New Orleans, arguably
Stanley is swept up in trying to have a win over Blanche and prove to her that he is
intelligent and should be taken seriously, and not to be messed with
4. In this scene, Stanley rummages through Blanche’s trunk. What might this moment
symbolise?
Violation of her privacy- foreshadowing his sexual violation of her by the end of the
play.
About exposing her deception- something he wishes to do later on in the play.
Represents his unwelcomed invasion into Blanche’s personal life and of her privacy.
This foreshadows later in the play as his domineering invasion becomes more
prevalent.
Also highlights his tendency to be untrusting and suspicious of Blanche- ironically, he
sees her as invading the relationship between him and Stella, yet he is the one to
push boundaries with Blanche- beginning of their turmoil relationship.
This scene is vital for setting up the dynamic between Stanley and Blanche.
There has been a short break in time since Scene 1 (it is now six o’ clock the following
evening) and the animosity Stanley feels becomes clear.
This demonstrates the potential for violence and conflict as time progresses.
Key idea in this scene is the Napoleonic code: a code of law recognised in New Orleans from
the days of French rule that places women’s property in the hands of their husbands. Calling
upon the Napoleonic code enables Stanley to justify his feelings of entitlement toward
Stella’s inheritance. In doing so, he shows that he is ignorant of legal technicalities, because
Belle Reve, located in Laurel, Mississippi, wouldn’t fall under New Orleans jurisdiction.
1. This is the first scene in which Blanche takes a bath. What does Blanche’s bathing symbolise?
Blanche claims this is ‘to quiet her nerves’ and console herself. However, it can also
be seen as symbolic of her attempt to cleanse herself of her conscience and the guilt
she feels about her husband’s suicide.
As the play progresses, we also see how this becomes a world in which she can act
out her fantasies and illusions- it becomes a ritual upon which she is grows more and
more dependent, like a form of escapism that follows through the play.
Bathing allows Blanche to stay in her façade and calm herself and almost allows her
to have an oasis away from the flat that Stella and Stanley live in.
It could be linked to how Lady Macbeth constantly washes her hands to try and rid
herself of her sins after partaking in murder- similarly Blanche is trying to cleanse
herself of her sins and her past life when she was a school teacher.
Blanche emerges from the bath in a ‘red satin robe’- this could represent sexuality,
and Blanche attempting to seem attractive and vivacious in the presence of a man.
Blanche tries to flirt with Stanley by emphasising her femininity, but Stanley
continues to assert his physical dominance.
2. What do we understand about the relationship between Stanley and Stella at the beginning
of the scene? How does Blanche impact upon this?
Expectations of gender roles- Stella’s domestic role and Stanley’s dominance over
her.
We begin to see the impact Blanche is having on the relationship between Stanley
and Stella- Stanley is clearly infuriated by Blanche’s presence- more aggressive in
language and actions.
Clear tension between them and at this stage Stella seems to be more sympathetic
towards her sister- when Stanley says ‘The Kowalskis and the DuBois have different
notions’, Stella replies ‘angrily’- ‘Indeed they have, thank heavens’.
In the beginning, Stella chooses Blanche which angers Stanely as he believes he
comes first as her husband despite Blanche being her sister who is clearly in a bad
state. ‘Stanley! You come out here and let Blanche finish dressing.’ Sense of
, protection that Stella has over her sister at this point in the play- she sees her as
fragile and saves her from the harshness and backlash of Stanley.
Perhaps Stella later sides with her husband for the sake of the baby- this will
permanently connect the two, and Blanche cannot come between this.
Stella clearly tries to mediate between Stanley and Blanche, although her efforts
often fail: “try to understand her and be nice to her Stan.”
Stanley relies on Stella to do simple tasks for him when he asks about his supper that
would have been provided for him, it shows his expectation towards Stella and he
later shows early resentment by avoiding the Galatoires’: “how about my supper,
huh?”
3. What is the significance of Stanley’s discussion of the Napoleonic Code?
Initially makes it seem like he is aware of his rights.
The Napoleonic Code does not apply to Belle Reve, as it is in Mississippi. Stella
believes Stanley will be more successful than his friends, but we see his ignorance
here.
Stanley is suspicious of Blanche- will cause further tension.
Stanley’s exclamations of trying to enforce the Napoleonic Code demonstrate his
ideals, archaic and dated which compares to the ideas of New Orleans being a
modern, and progressive for the time. ‘what belongs to the wife belongs to the
husband and vice versa.’
It is quite a traditional code which can emphasise Stanley’s desire to control women
and exercise his masculinity over them, Stanley is perhaps realising that Stella is
choosing Blanche over him in some situations and here he is trying to reclaim her
through reclaiming her property.
There are also technical implications of this as the code would not apply to Belle
Reve as it is in Mississippi and Stella and Stanley live in New Orleans, arguably
Stanley is swept up in trying to have a win over Blanche and prove to her that he is
intelligent and should be taken seriously, and not to be messed with
4. In this scene, Stanley rummages through Blanche’s trunk. What might this moment
symbolise?
Violation of her privacy- foreshadowing his sexual violation of her by the end of the
play.
About exposing her deception- something he wishes to do later on in the play.
Represents his unwelcomed invasion into Blanche’s personal life and of her privacy.
This foreshadows later in the play as his domineering invasion becomes more
prevalent.
Also highlights his tendency to be untrusting and suspicious of Blanche- ironically, he
sees her as invading the relationship between him and Stella, yet he is the one to
push boundaries with Blanche- beginning of their turmoil relationship.
