Streetcar: Themes of Desire

Question 1

Desire - Blanche Scene 1

Answer 1

“They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at – Elysian Fields!”

Question 2

What does Desire Blanche Scene 1 show? [4]

Answer 2

• Elysian Fields = land of the dead in Greek mythology
• seen as a heaven for heroes but is just a shabby place with ordinary people
• her sexual desires have caused her social death and have led her to an after-life (cemeteries)
• foreshadows her mental death and how her desires will lead to her own destruction

Question 3

Desire - Stanley Stage Directions Scene 1

Answer 3

“He sizes women up at a glance…and determining the way he smiles at them”

Question 4

What does Desire Stanley Scene 1 show? [4]

Answer 4

• shows that desire is automatic and visual for Stanley
  -he fits into the theme of raw, unrefined desires or Blanche’s illusions of fantasy
• contrasts sharply with Blanche’s desire for idealised love
• showing Stanley as the embodiment of brutal, physical desire.

Question 5

Desire - Stella & Blanche Scene 4

Answer 5

“But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark – that sort of make everything else seem – unimportant” – Stella

“What you are talking about is brutal desire – just Desire!” - Blanche

Question 6

What does Desire Stella & Blanche show? [4]

Answer 6

• sisters are talking in metaphors
• Stella = love and physical attraction are inseparable:
• attraction between S&S keeps them together
• Blanche can recognise desire, but tries to pretend that she can’t and refuses to get on board:
  She speaks of it with disdain (disappointment/shame)