Homework: A Streetcar Named Desire

Why does Blanche replace the bottle and wash the glass after having a drink?

Blanche ‘carefully replaces the bottle’ because she doesn’t want there to be a sign of her ever drinking. This is because she may have stopped drinking and so wouldn’t want anyone to know that she still does. Blanche then ‘washes out the tumbler at the sink’, making sure she takes precaution not to leave any visible signs to show that she has continued drinking. It may also be that this one drink is only a one off, as she has been confronted by a whole new environment that is far different to what she is used to. She is wary that her nerves are getting the better or her as she says ‘I’ve got to keep hold of myself!’ She has faced a lot of difficulty in life, drinking has somewhat become a friend to her, it is something that keeps her together and may be that one factor within her life that has helped her keep going. 

Pick out the pet names which Blanche has for Stella and explain why Blanche uses them?

‘Stella for star’ seems to be the first pet name that Blanche calls Stella. This shows that in Blanche’s eyes Stella gives off the impression of being a star, in ways of her joyful and bubbly personality and the way she behaves in general. The other such pet name that Blanche has for Stella is: Precious lamb, signifying that Stella maybe the youngest and most spoilt sibling. Baby, honey and blessed child/baby are another three; these words suggest that Stella is very near and dear to Blanche. They have a close relationship, and share a close sisterly bond. 

What evidence is there that Blanche is concerned about her looks? What does this tell you about her character?

Blanche begins by saying ‘you haven’t said a word about my appearance’ suggesting that she may be in need of compliment. Spending everyday teaching might have made her feel bland and plain, and so being complimented may bump up her self-esteem. On the other hand this passage could also show Blanche’s vain side, the side of her that constantly wants attention, and to be admired. ‘I want you to look at my figure! (She turns around)’ this again shows her craving for compliments or simply that she thinks highly of the way she looks. ‘You see I have that awful vanity about my looks even though my looks are slipping!’ she wants reassurance from Stella to let her know that she looks fine. This shows that Blanche is concerned about her looks, age maybe being one factor and the amount of stress she has been through the other factor. Over all Blanche during her early years may have been used to being praised about her looks, this may explain her yearning for positive comments from Stella.

What is Blanche’s attitude towards the place where Stella lives?

Blanche’s first impressions give away her thoughts towards the place where Stella lives ‘This – can this be – her home?’ this response to first laying eyes on Stella’s home shows how shocked she is. It wasn’t what Blanche was expecting and the paused between her spoken words suggest this. In the stage direction it is described how Blanches behaves towards the home of her sister ‘BLANCHE sits in a chair very stiffly with her shoulders slightly hunched and her legs pressed close together and her hands tightly clutching her purse as if she were quite cold....’ this passage implies that Blanche is very uncomfortable and in disbelief of the accommodations of her younger sister Stella. Blanche is used to a higher standard and way of living since that’s how she was brought up but she also expected Stella to live the same way (the way they used to) little did she know that those ways had changed. Blanche is quite put off by the size and sheer elegance of Stella’s home. ‘What? Two rooms, did you say? Blanche is in shock and gives off the thought that she doesn’t approve of the way her sister lives.