desire

Question 1

the streetcar

Answer 1

• Blanche has to travel on it to reach Elysian Fields
• means that she has already indulged in desire before she gets there
• one way ticket - she has already ridden on desire and it has brought her nothing but sorrow and loneliness

Question 2

Blanche’s desire for love, youth and validation

Answer 2

• loss of Allan at a young age suggests Blanche’s desire to remain youthful
• interactions with the young man in scene 5
• attempt for validation from Mitch although rejected in scene 9

Question 3

sexual desire and fantasy

Answer 3

• Stanley’s raw and physical desires - dominance over Stella
• sexual tension between Blanche and Stanley suggests how desire can be destructive and degrading

Question 4

Stella’s compromise

Answer 4

• Stella is torn between her sexual desire for Stanley and loyalty to Blanche
• her decision to stay with Stanley despite his abuse demonstrates how desire can override reason and morality.