1. Scene iv & v Draw a tragic timeline for Stanley and one for Blanch. Who has the upper-hand at the beginning of scene iv? Continue the timeline – who is on top by the end of scene v? L/O: to read and explore scenes iv & v

2. Examining scene iv Scene iv is known as the plays turning point and tends to be where an interval is placed – by the end of the scene, can you say why? 1.Look at the attitudes of Blanche and Stella. How do their actions and language differ? 2.What events in this scene solidify Stanley as Arthur Millars tragic hero? (and therefore, Blanche becomes a tragic villain) 3.For Aristotle, is this the moment of Blanches peripeteia? Characters:BlancheStella

3. Why is Scene 4 the turning point? When Stanley returning home unheard by either Blanche or Stella overhears Blanches condemnation of him, it is clear that Blanches fate is now sealed as Stanley will only rest when she is completely removed from his life When Stanley returning home unheard by either Blanche or Stella overhears Blanches condemnation of him, it is clear that Blanches fate is now sealed as Stanley will only rest when she is completely removed from his life By the end of this scene the audience is now aware that Stella has chosen Stanley over Blanche, a decision which leaves Stanley triumphant and Blanche isolated By the end of this scene the audience is now aware that Stella has chosen Stanley over Blanche, a decision which leaves Stanley triumphant and Blanche isolated Finally the scene introduces the metaphor of the streetcar. This in itself suggests that there is now no turning back for Blanche and that she is now headed for disaster Finally the scene introduces the metaphor of the streetcar. This in itself suggests that there is now no turning back for Blanche and that she is now headed for disaster

4. Characterisation: Blanche Blanche tells Stella that sheer desire is no basis for a marriage. She invokes the streetcar, that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another as a metaphor for what she believes Stella feels Blanche tells Stella that sheer desire is no basis for a marriage. She invokes the streetcar, that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another as a metaphor for what she believes Stella feels Blanche fails to understand Stellas passionate relationship with her husband. It seems that with all her sexual experience she has never experienced true love Blanche fails to understand Stellas passionate relationship with her husband. It seems that with all her sexual experience she has never experienced true love Stella asks whether Blanche has ever ridden the streetcar. Blanche replies, It brought me here, where Im not wanted and where Im ashamed to be…… This is true both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it was indeed a streetcar named Desire which brought her to Stellas. Metaphorically, Stella, Stanley and Mitch soon learn that Blanches search for sexual desire led to her expulsion from Laurel, while her familys need to shroud desire and cover up epic fornications led to the break-up of the Belle Reve estate and the impoverishment of the present generation Stella asks whether Blanche has ever ridden the streetcar. Blanche replies, It brought me here, where Im not wanted and where Im ashamed to be…… This is true both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it was indeed a streetcar named Desire which brought her to Stellas. Metaphorically, Stella, Stanley and Mitch soon learn that Blanches search for sexual desire led to her expulsion from Laurel, while her familys need to shroud desire and cover up epic fornications led to the break-up of the Belle Reve estate and the impoverishment of the present generation This scene also reveals Blanche to be entirely calculating when it comes to relations with men, I think of money in terms of what it does for you This scene also reveals Blanche to be entirely calculating when it comes to relations with men, I think of money in terms of what it does for you Blanches threat to laugh in Stellas face if Stella tries to claim that her attraction to Stanley is just one of those electric things shows that Blanche does not truly believe in love. Throughout the play she claims to possess romantic notions but this scene reveals her to be a cold cynic Blanches threat to laugh in Stellas face if Stella tries to claim that her attraction to Stanley is just one of those electric things shows that Blanche does not truly believe in love. Throughout the play she claims to possess romantic notions but this scene reveals her to be a cold cynic Scene Four also contains one of Blanches most famous speeches in which she describes how human kind has evolved too far past the beast that Stanley represents for Stella to reduce herself to his level, Theres even something – sub-human - something not quite to the stage of humanity Scene Four also contains one of Blanches most famous speeches in which she describes how human kind has evolved too far past the beast that Stanley represents for Stella to reduce herself to his level, Theres even something – sub-human - something not quite to the stage of humanity

5. Characterisation: Stanley Having overheard Blanches condemnation of him as a brute and as an ape-man, Stanley now has even more reason to dislike Blanche and an even greater wish to find a way to get rid of her. His triumphant grin at the close of the scene promises ill for Blanche Having overheard Blanches condemnation of him as a brute and as an ape-man, Stanley now has even more reason to dislike Blanche and an even greater wish to find a way to get rid of her. His triumphant grin at the close of the scene promises ill for Blanche

6. Characterisation Stella Although Stella technically condemns Stanleys propensity for violence, it is clear that his violent nature heightens Stellas desire for him e.g. she finds the light bulb incident on their honeymoon thrilling Although Stella technically condemns Stanleys propensity for violence, it is clear that his violent nature heightens Stellas desire for him e.g. she finds the light bulb incident on their honeymoon thrilling The stage directions at the beginning of the scene which liken Stellas face after a night with Stanley to an Eastern idol suggest that there is something mystical about their relationship The stage directions at the beginning of the scene which liken Stellas face after a night with Stanley to an Eastern idol suggest that there is something mystical about their relationship Stella has lost patience with Blanches hysterical plans and her irritation shows in her dry, ironical comments. She begins to resent her sisters disapproval and harsh criticism of Stanley Stella has lost patience with Blanches hysterical plans and her irritation shows in her dry, ironical comments. She begins to resent her sisters disapproval and harsh criticism of Stanley Indeed the difference in the sisters attitudes to passion, shows that despite their common background and social values, they are very different characters and this influences Stellas decision to choose Stanley, Im not in anything I have a desire to get out of and Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely and in full view of Blanche Indeed the difference in the sisters attitudes to passion, shows that despite their common background and social values, they are very different characters and this influences Stellas decision to choose Stanley, Im not in anything I have a desire to get out of and Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely and in full view of Blanche

7. Blanche and Mitch Mitch is the complete opposite of Stanley. He is kind, understanding, sympathetic and shy Mitch is the complete opposite of Stanley. He is kind, understanding, sympathetic and shy Blanches conversation with Mitch at the end of the scene emphasises the class differences between them and highlights the efforts he is making to overcome them Blanches conversation with Mitch at the end of the scene emphasises the class differences between them and highlights the efforts he is making to overcome them The description of their dancing symbolises that ultimately they are ill-suited to each other – Mitch dances clumsily, mimicking Blanches grand movements The description of their dancing symbolises that ultimately they are ill-suited to each other – Mitch dances clumsily, mimicking Blanches grand movements

8. Stagecraft The use of the locomotion is clever as its noise means that Stella and Blanche are unaware that Stanley has returned. It also symbolises the idea of fate as once Stanley overhears Blanches condemnation of him, her fate is now sealed and he will not rest until she is gone The use of the locomotion is clever as its noise means that Stella and Blanche are unaware that Stanley has returned. It also symbolises the idea of fate as once Stanley overhears Blanches condemnation of him, her fate is now sealed and he will not rest until she is gone The constant sound of the Blue Piano symbolises sadness and loss. It plays again at the moment that Stella chooses Stanley The constant sound of the Blue Piano symbolises sadness and loss. It plays again at the moment that Stella chooses Stanley

9. Examining scene v There are undertones of violence throughout the scene, as well as reminders of the characters weaknesses. 1.How does Blanche react to Stanley in this scene? 2.What events give viewers hints to Blanches past – is this part of her tragic flaw? Does the ending of the scene prove Stanleys accusations? This episode is important as it is now clear that there is absolutely no possibility of a happy ending for Blanche. Does this fit with Aristotles ideas about tragedy? Characters:BlancheStellaEuniceSteveStanley Young Man

10. Scene v Characterisation: Blanche Blanches description of her efforts to attract and hold men, dressing in the soft colours of butterfly wings, recall her first moth-like appearance in Elysian Fields. This reminds the audience of her fragility and vulnerability Blanches description of her efforts to attract and hold men, dressing in the soft colours of butterfly wings, recall her first moth-like appearance in Elysian Fields. This reminds the audience of her fragility and vulnerability She is fearful of losing her beauty. She is aware that she is growing older, but does not want men to see this She is fearful of losing her beauty. She is aware that she is growing older, but does not want men to see this The episode with the young man is important in that it is used to convey the contradictions within Blanches character:- The episode with the young man is important in that it is used to convey the contradictions within Blanches character:- She is desperate to marry Mitch, yet she is ready to risk her future to flirt with a paper boy She is desperate to marry Mitch, yet she is ready to risk her future to flirt with a paper boy Is this part of her urge to self-destruct? Is this part of her urge to self-destruct? Is it more simple? Does that she know that she cannot marry Mitch as she is incapable of settling down permanently with one man? Will the metaphorical flutter but not settle down? Is it more simple? Does that she know that she cannot marry Mitch as she is incapable of settling down permanently with one man? Will the metaphorical flutter but not settle down? It shows how hypocritical she is. She condemns Stanley and Stellas sexual relationship, but she is prepared to engage in a inappropriate sexual encounter with a young boy. Her behaviour with the young boy makes Stanley and Stellas relationship appear almost normal It shows how hypocritical she is. She condemns Stanley and Stellas sexual relationship, but she is prepared to engage in a inappropriate sexual encounter with a young boy. Her behaviour with the young boy makes Stanley and Stellas relationship appear almost normal