N O N O T E S Monday, June 1st, 2010 AGENDA: o Read Scene 11 o Answer Guided Question o Notes on Themes o Theme Matrix o Textbook Drop-off o HW: Literature Circle Finish books by block day! o o BIG QUESTION: William s believed that, we are all savages at heart. Which character in SND best proves or disproves this? How do characters reflect themes in SND? Announcements and Other Important Dates: Projects DUE Today Tuesday (6/1) Write in Notes
Big Questions William s believed that, we are all savages at heart. Which character in SND best proves or disproves this? How do characters reflect themes in SND?
A Streetcar Named Desire Structure & Themes
Advanced Organizer: THEMES MATRIX FANTASY/ ILLUSION PRIMITIVE / PRIMAL LONELINESS DESIRE CRUELTY STANLEY BLANCHE
Contrasts A Streetcar Named Desire is a set up by contrasts. There are a series of scenes of confrontations between Blanche and Stanley. The first conflict is barely noticeable, the last, disastrous until one must be destroyed.
Stanley vs. Blanche The major contrast is between Blanche and Stanley. It begins with how they grew up. Even their names and the way they sound are opposite. Blanche is aristocratic with a French name. She comes from a world of teas, cocktails and talks on a higher level. She searches for values and wants to keep the traditions of Belle Reve. The Kowalski's are loud, aggressive. They come from a world, not of tea, but of cheap beer. They express their desires in crude, simple language and are concerned with physical things and money, not art and values.
Truth vs. Reality (Fantasy/Illusion) Stanley is simple, straightforward and honest. He embodies the unembellished truth. Blanche, obviously, typifies the opposite. She "puts a gaily-colored paper lantern" on the harshness of the truth. A woman's charm she says is 50% illusion. Stanley hates the lantern for covering up the truth and deceiving others. Take note of the words to the songs that Blanche sings in the bathroom.
Battle of the Apes (Primitive/Primal) Blanche's speech depicts Stanley as an ape. He has subhuman qualities in his speech and his behavior. Ex. Stanley and Stella emit "low, animal moans" when they embrace at the footsteps. Notice that it is Stella who comes down to Stanley's level in the "Balcony Scene" reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. In this play it seems that the animals, the brutes, are winning in the battle for supremacy. Art, music, and literature doesn't stand much of a chance to Stanley and his poker buddies.
Loneliness This theme looks at what loneliness can do to people. Look at what it's done to Blanche. Bereft after her husband's suicide, she becomes a prostitute to fill her emptiness. She molests a young boy and deludes herself and others that she is charming and sociable. She invents tales about Shep Huntleigh (whether he is real or not, it doesn't matter). Loneliness is what brings Mitch and Blanche together. She is willing to put up with him rather than be a lonely spinster. He, in turn, needs someone to replace his mother.
Desire Stanley is satisfied by his animal desires. Love to him is a physical act to be enjoyed. To Blanche, love is not physical. What she needs is someone to protect her. Love is a concept that she places on a higher level, a spiritual level. I don t want realism. I want magic!
Cruelty Williams condemns those who display cruelty and harshness in their treatment of others, especially to those who are weak and vulnerable. Whether the cruelty is deliberate or not, it results in the destruction of others, both physically and mentally. Blanche abhors cruelty and behaves that way believing that she is helping. Stanley is openly cruel and makes no apologies for it.
Big Questions William s believed that, we are all savages at heart. Which character in SND best proves or disproves this? How do characters reflect themes in SND?
Themes (Important Quotations) Themes Worksheet Try to locate at least one quote or example for every theme from every scene (this is difficult) Continue Working on Study Guides