A Streetcar Named Desire

1. A Streetcar Named Desire Scene Three

2. 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

3. 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

4. Characterisation: Blanche • Yet, none of her lies are malicious. She tells lies in order to protect herself from reality and the tragedies she has to endure

5. Characterisation: Blanche • 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

6. Characterisation: Blanche • 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

7. 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 capacity for violence • Stanley’s drinking symbolises destructive behaviour as he commits domestic violence

8. Characterisation: Stanley • His shower symbolises his attempts to wash away his sins i.e. hitting Stella

9. Stanley and Stella • Stella and Stanley’s reunion conveys the extent of their desire for each other. Stella’s desire for Stanley is so great that she is prepared to forgive him anything • Their “animal-like” moans when they embrace on the front steps illustrates their animal-like passion for each other

10. Stanley and Stella • There is a sense of King Kong in Stanley picking up Stella and carrying her away. This reminds us of his primitive/ape like qualities • Stella choosing Stanley foreshadows the outcome of the play. She has decided whose side she is on

11. Blanche and Mitch • Mitch is the complete opposite of Stanley. He is kind, understanding, sympathetic and shy • Blanche’s conversation with Mitch at the end of the scene emphasises the class differences between them and highlights the efforts he is making to overcome them • The description of their dancing symbolises that ultimately they are ill-suited to each other – “Mitch dances clumsily, mimicking Blanche’s grand movements”

12. Stagecraft • The harsh, jarring discordant piano sounds highlight the harshness of what is happening on stage – Stanley’s violence