Streetcar in A Streetcar Named Desire Flashcards
(14 cards)
What does the streetcar named Desire symbolize in the play?
Blanche’s desires and her path of self-destruction
The streetcar reflects her need to escape reality and indulge in fleeting pleasures.
How does the streetcar symbolize desire?
As an irresistible force that drives characters towards uncontrollable consequences
Desire is depicted as a passion and longing that carries people along.
What does Blanche’s journey on the streetcar represent?
Her life-long pursuit of fleeting pleasures and escape from painful realities
Blanche’s desires often lead to her emotional downfall.
How does the streetcar relate to self-destruction?
It symbolizes the self-destructive nature of unchecked desire
Each stop on the streetcar reflects Blanche’s tragic decisions and gradual unraveling.
What does Stanley’s desire represent in the play?
His need for control, power, and assertion of masculinity
Stanley confronts and undermines Blanche, leading to her destruction.
What does the streetcar represent regarding escape?
Blanche’s constant need to escape her past tragedies
She seeks solace and a fresh start in New Orleans.
How does the streetcar reflect the transient nature of pleasures?
Its constant movement symbolizes the fleeting and unfulfilling nature of Blanche’s desires
She chases moments of pleasure but never finds lasting satisfaction.
What is the significance of the streetcar as a literal and figurative journey?
It parallels Blanche’s emotional journey toward self-destruction
The ride symbolizes her uncontrollable past she’s trying to outrun.
How does the streetcar symbolize fate in the play?
It represents a predetermined path that characters cannot escape
Characters are driven by desires toward inevitable outcomes.
What role does New Orleans play in the symbolism of the streetcar?
It reflects the city’s lively and chaotic social environment
The streetcar embodies the raw and untamed aspects of life in New Orleans.
Fill in the blank: The streetcar in A Streetcar Named Desire symbolizes the inescapable journey of _______.
desire
True or False: The streetcar only symbolizes Blanche’s desires.
False
It also reflects Stanley’s desires and the broader social environment.
What tragic decisions mark Blanche’s life on the streetcar?
Failed marriage, promiscuity, and inability to face her past
These choices are driven by her desire to avoid the truth.
How is the streetcar connected to the theme of unfulfilled longing?
It represents the tragic consequences of living in a state of unfulfilled desire
Blanche’s obsession with desire ultimately leads to her unraveling.
