Streetcar Quotes Flashcards
(35 cards)
What quote best symbolizes desire as a destructive journey?
“They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries…”
What does Blanche say to express how she sees desire as life itself?
“The opposite of death is desire.”
What quote reveals Blanche’s excitement over an inappropriate desire?
“I was – sort of – thrilled by it.”
What does Mitch say to condemn Blanche’s past?
“You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.”
How does Blanche express her preference for fantasy over truth?
“I don’t want realism. I want magic!”
What does Blanche say about her lies and her idea of truth?
“I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that’s sinful, then let me be damned for it!”
What song lyric represents Blanche’s romantic illusions?
“It wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me.”
What is Blanche’s view of Stanley’s nature?
“He acts like an animal, has an animal’s habits!”
What quote shows Stanley asserting masculine dominance?
“Every man is a king! And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!”
How does Blanche describe Stanley’s primal nature?
“There’s something downright – bestial – about him!”
What does the stage direction say about Stanley’s attitude toward women?
“He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications.”
What does Mitch say after the poker night violence?
“Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women.”
What is Blanche’s final line, showing her vulnerability?
“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
What does Blanche say to reveal her emotional manipulation?
“I want to deceive him enough to make him – want me…”
What does Blanche say to a young man to show her inappropriate desire?
“You make my mouth water.”
How does Blanche react to Mitch not meeting her ideal?
“You’re not the gentleman I was expecting.”
How does Stanley reject Blanche’s classism?
“I’m not a Polack. People from Poland are Poles, not Polacks.”
What does Blanche say about her late husband?
“You’re not old! You can’t be! Why, you’re just… young, young, young!”
What does Blanche say about Stanley’s mental state?
“In my opinion? You’re married to a madman.”
What quote shows Blanche seeing Stanley as inferior?
“A different species.”
What line shows Blanche’s anxiety when alone?
“I can’t be alone! Because – as soon as I’m alone, even for a minute, I get nervous.”
How does Blanche admit her fantasy world?
“I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be truth.”
What is repeated to symbolize Blanche’s trauma and guilt?
“The Varsouviana is heard, rising with sinister rapidity.”
What does Blanche shout as her sanity unravels?
“I saw! Saw! Saw! And now, do you suppose I’m gone completely inside?”
