Journal In Scene One, Blanche makes reference to the “woodland of Weir” when she expresses her opinion of her sister Stella’s new home, Elysian Fields. This is an allusion to Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Ulalame.” Read the excerpt from the poem below. The skies were ashen and sober; The leaves they were crisped and sere— The leaves they were withering and sere; It was night in lonesome October Of my most immemorial year; It was hard by the dim lake of Auber, In the misty mid region of Weir— It was down by the dark tarn or Auber, In the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir. Respond: What is the mood of the poem? In other words, how does the poem make the reader feel? What words and phrases contribute to the mood? What is the speaker’s tone? In other words, what is the speaker’s attitude toward his surroundings? What does the speaker’s attitude indicate about Blanche’s attitude to Stella’s new home?

Journal In Scene Three, Blanche reads the inscription in Mitch’s cigarette case. The inscription comes from Browning’s Sonnet 43, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” Read the sonnet: 1.How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 2.I love thee to the depth and breadth and heigh 3.My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight 4.For the ends of being and ideal grace. 5.I love thee to the level of every day’s. 6.Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. 7.I love thee freely, as men strive for right. 8.I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. 9.I love thee with the passion put to use. 10.In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. 11.I love thee with a love I seemed to lose. 12.With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, 13.Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, 14.I shall but love thee better after death. Respond: In lines 1-4, what is the speaker saying about her love? After reading lines 5-8, what is said about her love? Reading lines 9-11, what is the speaker indicating about her love? Reflecting on the last three lines, what is the speaker saying about her love?

Journal The interactions among Stanley, Blanche, and Stella are the driving forces behind plot and theme in the play. Of particular interest are the different ways that Blanche and Stella respond to some of Stanley’s words and actions. Looking back on the first four scenes of the play, make note of Stanley’s actions and dialogue that provoke different reactions from the two women. How do the women’s responses differ? What does each response say about the character traits of Blanche and Stella? Provide concrete and specific examples from the play to support your response. Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (5-7 sentences).

Journal In Scene One, Blanche is compared to a moth. In Scene Five, Blanche describes herself as a butterfly. Identify the characteristics of a moth, and provide at least two concrete examples from Scenes 1-6 that suggest that Blanche is like a moth. Then, identify the characteristics of a butterfly, and provide at least two concrete examples from Scenes 1-6 that indicate that Blanche is like a butterfly. Respond in a well- constructed paragraph (5-7 sentences).

Journal What is the “American Dream”? It may be stated best in the Declaration of Independence as “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” James Truslow Adams was the first to use the term in his book The Epic of America. He explained it as every man and woman living a life on par with his or her ability. It is not the idea that everyone can become a millionaire, nor is it the idea of owning a home or a car. It is the idea that each person can hope to live a life of fullness, reaching his or her own dreams realistically. Explain how Blanche’s life becomes the complete opposite of the American Dream. Which characters do you think have achieved the American Dream? Explain your answer for each. Respond in a well- formed paragraph (5-7 sentences).