Streetcar Named Desire Scene 3 Notes

Scene Three – a pivotal scene * Initially the play was to be called “The Poker Party” Why? * Scene three cements Stanley’s identity as the villain * Scene three highlights the primal nature of Stanley and Stella’s relationship * Scene three illustrates Stanley’s domination over his friends as he makes all the decisions about the game * Scene three illustrates his friends devotion as they look after him tenderly when he is drunk * Scene three is when Stella first chooses Stanley over Blanche. This foreshadows events later in the play. Stella has already decided whose side she is on
Characterisation: Blanche * We learn more about Blanche in this scene:- * Her vanity makes her lie about Stella’s age * Her inability to deal with reality makes her claim that she has come to help out because Stella has not been well * Yet, none of her lies are malicious. She tells lies in order to protect herself from reality and the tragedies she has to endure * Her seductive posturing half undressed in the gap in the curtains appears instinctive when men are around. This highlights the contradictions in her character : the genteel Southern lady who expects men to stand up when she comes in and who cannot bear a rude remark or vulgar action and the cheap seductress * Blanche’s purchase of the Chinese lantern to put over the light bulb is again symbolic of her inability to face reality. Both literally and metaphorically light threatens to reveal Blanche’s lies * Blanche’s determination to take Stella away from Stanley is not forgiven or forgotten by Stanley and makes him all the more determined to be rid of his unwanted visitor
Characterisation: Stanley * Stanley’s loud and domineering behaviour during the poker game as well as his loud shirts emphasise his manliness * Stanley throwing down the watermelon emphasises his disregard both for the house and for Stella. It foreshadows the radio incident and hints at his