Scene 1

What's happened to Belle Reve

Blanche could no long pay for it so it was taken from them.

What does the author mean by "Blanche's appearance seemed incongruous to this setting" What does this suggest about Blanche?

Blanche doesn't fit in with her surroundings, Stella and Stanley live in a poor area, but Blanche is rich. Blanche not fitting in shows that she lives and comes from a different lifestyle.

What did Blanche experience at Belle Reve after Stella left?

Blanche had to pay for funerals and lost the property.

Describe the conversation between the two sisters. How does Blanche treat Stella? Why do you think she does this?

Blanche is rude to Stella, she makes fun of her weight, appearance, and house. She is critical of her sister because she is insecure.

Describe Blanche's body language on page 18. What does this suggest?

Blanche is uncomfortable and feels she's in a dirty place.

How does Blanche use this to make Stella feel guilty?

Blanche says that she was trying to protect the plantation while Stella ran away to New Orleans.

What does Blanche learn about Stanley before she meets him?

He is Polish, a Master Sergeant in the Engineers' Corps, has a civilian background, and he travels, he also is unaware that Blanche is coming.

How does Blanche react to Stella and Stanley's home? Why does she act this way?

It is small and since they come from so much money she doesn't believe Stella lives here. She is shocked to see Stella lives somewhere like this because she doesn't know any different.

What do the stage directions reveal about Stanley and Stella?

It shows how the relationship they have is based off of lust.

When Stella arrives home, Blanche tells her to turn off the overhead light. Why does she say this?

She doesn't want Stella to see herself, she is uncomfortable with how she looks.

What reason does Blanche give for her arrival in New Orleans?

She is a teacher and was paid early leave before spring break because she was having a nervous breakdown.

What do we learn about Blanche's love life? What happened?

She was married when she was young, but her husband died.

What do the stage directions on page 29 suggest about Stanley?

Stanley plays around with women and he is cocky and arrogant.

What is Belle Reve?

The plantation Blanche and Stella's family own.

When Stanley, Mitch, and Steve return from bowling, what do they agree to do the next day?

They plan to play poker at Stanley's house.

How is Blanche's drinking problem introduced?

When she first gets to the house she has a drink and then when Stella comes home she has another.