Streetcar Study Questions (1-6)

Scene 3 - 1. Why doesn't Mitch enjoy going out?

Mitch says he dies not like going out because he spends his nights out constantly worrying about his sick mother who he lives with.

Scene 3 - 4. Who gave Mitch his silver cigarette case?

Mitch was given his case by an old girlfriend who was dying at the time. Inscribed on the case are lines taken from a sonnet (a love poem).

Scene 1 - 10. What happened to Belle Reve?

Needing money after paying for the funerals of various family members, Blanche was forced to sell off pieces of Belle Reve until nothing was left. She cannot fully explain, however, what has happened to the money she made after selling the plantation off.

Scene 1 - 1. In what city is the play set?

New Orleans in the 1950s. This city hold special meaning because if its culture and its lifestyle.

Scene 4 - 1. What did Stanley do on his and Stella's wedding night?

On their wedding night, Stanley took Stella's slipper and broke all of the lightbulbs in the apartment. It represents him controlling what Stella sees.

Scene 5 - 5. Who is Shaw?

Shaw is an acquaintance of Stanley's who says he knows Blanche from the Hotel Flamingo in Laurel. It seems this man has hinted that Blanche does not have such a great reputation. When she denies knowing him, Stanley hints that Shaw will check up on the truth as he travels through Laurel frequently.

Scene 2 - 5. Why does Blanche ask Stella to get her a Coke at the drugstore?

She asks Stella to go for a Coke so she will leave and not hear the conversation about what happened to Belle Reve.

Scene 4 - 3. What does Stella mean when she says she is not in anything that she has a desire to getout of?

She means that she is satisfied with her marriage and has no plans on leaving Stanley despite his behavior towards her. She does not plan on following Blanche's advice and leaving her husband.

Scene 4 - 6. Blanche tells Stella she can't live with Stanley. Why can't she?

She says she can't live in the same apartment as Stanley because he is so rude and vulgar. She argues that he is common and beast-like.

Scene 6 - 5. What does Blanche tell Mitch about Stanley?

She says that Stanley is vulgar and rude to her. She also says she believes Stanley does not like her and goes out of his way to offend her.

Scene 5 - 10. Why does Blanche want to deceive Mitch?

She wants Mitch to think she is pure and honest because she wants him to respect her and want her enough to marry her.

Scene 4 - 4. Who is Shep Huntleigh?

Shep Huntleigh is an old college boyfriend of Blanche's. She claims she ran into him again at Christmastime in Miami Beach and he has become wealthy. She also admits he is married and the audience is unsure what their recent relationship was based upon. Blanche believes she can contact him for money in order to allow her and Stella to begin a new life.

Scene 1 - 2. What does Stanley carry as he enters at the beginning of the play?

Stanley carries raw meat in a bag. He throws it at his wife, Stella, as he goes bowling. The meat is the first image that connects Stanley to the motif of animals.

Scene 2 - 3. What does Stanley say the Napoleonic Code is?

Stanley says the Napoleonic Code is a "law" that claims whatever belongs to the wife also belongs to the husband and vice versa. Stanley says he needs to protect Stella's interest because of the Napoleonic Code, but it actually is about his own selfishness.

Scene 4 - 2. What was Stella's response to Stanley's wedding night behavior?

Stella admits she was "thrilled" by his violent behavior. Stanley represents the complete opposite of Stella's background, which explains her attraction to him.

Scene 2 - 7. For what does Stella apologize to Blanche?

Stella apologizes for Stanley's cruel questioning concerning Belle Reve. She also apologizes that Stanley mentioned the baby before Stella had a chance to mention it in a softer way.

Scene 2 - 1. What about herself does Stella ask Stanley not to mention to Blanche?

Stella asks Stanley to not mention her pregnancy. She sees that Blanche is not well and is worried that news of the baby might push her unmarried sister over the edge.

Scene 3 - 3. What about Stanley makes Stella think that he will succeed in life?

Stella says Stanley has a drive to succeed that the other men do not. She is clearly blinded by her desire for him.

Scene 2 - 2. What, according to Stella, is Blanche's "little weakness"?

Stella says that Blanche's little weakness is her appearance. Stella says Blanche likes to be complimented about her appearance.

Scene 3 - 2. Describe the joke Steve tells.

Steve tells a joke about a rooster who chases chickens around a farm but, when the farmer puts the food out, stops suddenly in order to eat. The farmer's reaction is to exclaim "I hope I never get THAT hungry!" The joke highlights the idea that men are animals who are driven to eat and reproduce.

Scene 3 - 5. What does the name Blanche mean?

The name Blanche means "white" which connects Blanche to purity and innocent.

Scene 3 - 6. What does the name DuBois mean?

The name DuBois means "from the woods" which highlights that she is from the country and does not fit in in the city.

Scene 4 - 8. Of what are Blanche and Stella unaware as Blanche speaks "plainly" about Stanley?

The sisters are unaware that Stanley has entered the apartment and overheard Blanche's comments. A train was passing when Stanley entered, so the sisters did not hear him. He then steps out again without them knowing when another train goes by.

Scene 5 - 6. How does Blanche respond physically (according to the stage directions) to Stanley'sinquiry about Shaw?

When she hears the name, Blanche's face expresses shock. She then speaks slowly while dabbing perfume nervously to her temples. She also laughs breathlessly to give the impression of not caring. Her hands tremble and, at one point, her eyes clothes as if she will faint.

Scene 5 - 12. What does Blanche do to the newspaper boy?

After flirting with him, Blanche kisses him softly. It is a seduction which she suddenly breaks off, as if aware it is wrong. However, she did this because she wants to regain her youth and remain young.

Scene 1 - 6. What job did Blanche previously have?

Before arriving in New Orleans, Blanche was a High School English teacher in Laurel, Mississippi. This connects her to romance and fantasy.

Scene 1 - 7. What is Belle Reve?

Belle Reve is the name of the plantation that Blanche and Stella lived on with their family. After Stella left, Blanche remained to run the family. Over the year, however, Blanche was forced to sell pieces of the plantation off. The name Belle Reve means "beautiful dream".

Scene 2 - 8. Why do Blanche and Stella go out on poker night?

Blanche and Stella go out because they are not allowed to be home during the poker game. The men do not want women around as they play cards. Stella and Blanche go out to dinner and a show and also end up having a few drinks.

Scene 2 - 4. What favor does Blanche ask Stanley?

Blanche asks Stanley to button up her dress after getting out of the shower. She does this as a way of flirting with him in the hopes of distracting him from asking about Belle Reve.

Scene 5 - 7. What does Blanche say about the Flamingo hotel?

Blanche claims the Hotel Flamingo is not the sort of place she would ever dare to be seen in. She claims it is immoral and low, hinting that the hotel has lurid reputation.

Scene 4 - 7. What does Blanche say about Stanley when she speaks "plainly" about him?

Blanche compares Stanley to an ape who has not evolved yet. She says he is animal-like, rude, vulgar, and disgusting. She claims he is also simple in his emotions and lives only for his brutal instincts and desires.

Scene 5 - 9. What does Blanche do when the Coke spills over onto her pretty white skirt?

Blanche gives a piercing, hysterical cry when Coke spills on her white dress.

Scene 1 - 5. What relationship is Blanche to Stella?

Blanche is Stella's older sister. Later in the play, however, Blanche lies and calls Stella her older sister. She does this because she is insecure about her age and appearance.

Scene 5 - 4. What astrological sign is Blanche?

Blanche is a Virgo which represents the virgin. Stanley, of course, laughs at this idea.

Scene 1 - 3. To what does Williams compare Blanche's manner and clothing in the stage directions?

Blanche is compared to a moth. This describes her nervous, jittery movements when she arrives.

Scene 1 - 8. How does Blanche feel about Stella's home?

Blanche is shocked when she sees the apartment her sister lives in. Blanche feels the apartment is too dirty and dingy for her sister, as the two had a privileged background and were raised on a plantation. Blanche says that Stella's apartment is so horrific it reminds her of a setting in a story written by Edgar Allan Poe, master of horror.

Scene 6 - 2. What does Blanche look for in the sky?

Blanche looks up to the sky to find the Pleiades, a constellation also called "the Seven Sisters". When she finally spots it, she says the seven sisters are coming home from their "bridge" game, another reference to card playing.

Scene 6 - 6. What does Blanche reveal about her husband?

Blanche reveals that she was deeply in love with her husband. She says she fell in love with him at a young age. However, she discovered that he was gay and only with her because he could not admit the truth in the society they lived in.

Scene 4 - 5. How much money does Blanche have?

Blanche says she only has 65 cents remaining to her name. She makes not mention of what has happened to the money from the sale of Belle Reve.

Scene 5 - 8. What does Blanche say about "soft people"?

Blanche says that "soft people" -- people who cannot handle the stress and turmoil of the cold, brutal world -- must live through deception and imagination in order to get by. She also suggests that soft people need to be attractive in order to manipulate and win someone over with their good looks.

Scene 2 - 6. What does Blanche say she'll burn?

Blanche says that she will have to burn her dead husband's letters now that Stanley has touched them. She says this to show that she thinks Stanley is dirty and has corrupted the purity of the letters.

Scene 1 - 9. Why does Blanche say she left her job?

Blanche says that the high school superintendent suggested she take a leave of absence because it was clear that her nerves were frayed and she was heading for a breakdown.

Scene 6 - 1. How does Blanche define "the law of nature"?

Blanche says the law of nature is that a lady must keep the man entertained or he will not be interested in her. She must put his needs and desires before her own.

Scene 6 - 4. Why does Blanche secretly roll her eyes?

Blanche secretly rolls her eyes when she tells Mitch that she is a woman with "old-fashioned ideals" who does not believe in being physical with a man before marriage. She rolls her eyes because she knows the truth about her past.

Scene 3 - 7. What lies does Blanche tell Mitch about Stella?

Blanche tells Mitch that she is Stella's younger sister. She also tells Mitch that she is visiting Stella and Stanley to help because Stella has gotten "run down".

Scene 3 - 9. For what does Blanche thank Mitch?

Blanche thanks Mitch for showing her kindness. With her nerves shot and having witnessed Stanley physically abuse her sister, Blanche says she needs someone to show her kindness.

Scene 5 - 3. Why does Blanche think Stanley is an Aries?

Blanche thinks Stanley is an Aries because they are "forceful and dynamic" and make a lot of noise. He is actually a Capricorn, the sign of the goat.

Scene 5 - 11. Why does Blanche want Mitch?

Blanche wants to "rest" and be taken care of. She feels her age and fading looks are a problem when it comes to finding another husband and Mitch, who is sensitive and caring, seems to be the best choice.

Scene 1 - 4. What directions was Blanche given to Stella's place?

Blanche was told to take a streetcar named Desire and transfer to one named Cemetarie. This illustrates the idea that desire (strong wanting) can cause destruction.

Scene 6 - 7. How did Blanche's husband die?

Blanche's husband committed suicide. After she discovered him with another man, the two never spoke of what she knew. One night, however, the two went out with the other man and were drinking. While dancing with her husband, she told him she was disgusted by him. He broke away from her and ran outside where he shot himself in the head.

Scene 3 - 8. After Blanche and Mitch begin dancing, what does Stanley do with the radio?

Drunk, upset that he has lost many hands of cards, and angry that his wife is questioning his authority, Stanley violently storms into the bedroom and throws the radio through the window.

Scene 5 - 1. Of what does Eunice accuse Steve?

Eunice accuses Steve of running after other women and cheating on her.

Scene 5 - 2. To where does Eunice go after her fight with Steve?

Even though she says she is going to the police, Eunice goes to the Four Deuces, a local bar, to drink.

Scene 6 - 3. What personal information does Mitch ask Blanche while Stanley and Stella are out?

He asks Blanche if she gets along with Stanley and hints that Stanley has said some negative things about her. He also asks Blanche's age, but she distracts him by asking about his mother before she offers an answer.