32. Desire When Blanche arrives at Elysian Fields she is wearing white – white suit, gloves, bodice and pearl necklace and earrings. This represents her desire to be someone else. She wants to be perceived as a lady, covering the tainted past which is unknown at the start. She constantly associated herself with white, and is ‘moth-like’ –they are drawn to light, but it kills them, just as Blanche is drawn to something that destroys her. Blanche’s constant bathing again represents her desire to cover up the past and be perceived as somebody else. Blanche speaks of her death in a soliloquy describing how she wants to die – at the end, she longs for death. Sexual Desire – when the sisters speak about sexual desire in Scene 4… Stella: Haven’t you ever ridden on that streetcar Blanche: It brought me here – where I’m not wanted and where I’m ashamed to be. Music – The blue piano and polka music represent Blanche and Stanley’s constant need to be in control. Throughout the play, the prominence of both changes. Scene 2 – blue piano plays as Stanley arrives, and grows louder during the confrontation. The spilt coke on Blanche’s skirt in Scene 5 is representing her stained reputation – Blanche’s desire to be clean is unobtainable, she is soiled, just as her skirt is. Also a sexual image – coke frothing over. The colour red – Blanche often wears a red robe and the lantern she hangs is red. This is the colour of desire, but also blood and hate – linked to death. An allusion to her as a scarlet woman? Title – The theme that dominates the play is contained within the title. Two streetcars – ‘Desire’, ‘Cemeteries’ – sums up Blanche’s life – desire will lead to death. Elysian Fields – paradise for heroes after death. Is a fresh start for Blanche, and could find this here? But also linked to death. Setting/Location – Words describing the setting of the play (contained within stage Directions) reflect Blanche – ‘faded white stains’, ‘weathered’, and ‘decay’. Lighting – In scene 3, despite her dislike of lighting, Blanche uses it to her advantage because she desires Mitch. She produces a coloured paper lantern and asks Mitch to put it up. This represents her desire for a fresh start, to recapture her innocence and love.

33. Scene 10 – Blanche is so desperate to go back in time her supposedly perfect relationship with Alan that she looses it, and starts dressing up. Stanley mocks her and rapes her. She can not take refuge in the past anymore. Scene 8 – Stanley gives Blanche a bus ticket back to Laurel – the one place she can not go, but there is no place for her in Stanley and Stella’s future. Scene 9 – Blanche is drinking alone – that is her future. She can not live in the past anymore. Mitch is not her ‘knight’ anymore. Scene 1 – Loss of Belle Reve, where Blanche and Stella grew up. Their past has been taken away. Blanche finds it hard to let go because Stella has Stanley (her future) whereas Blanche has no real future. Past and present clash when Stanley and Blanche meet. Scene 2 –, Stanley wants money for the future of his unborn child from the loss of Belle Reve – ‘A man has to take an interest in his wife’s affairs…especially when she is about to have a baby.’ Stella is moving on from Belle Reve, and leaving Blanche behind. There is a challenge between Stanley and Blanche – new and old. Scene 3 – Poker Night. Stanley resents Mitch’s interest in Blanche. She sees the potential in him, and asks him to put up the lantern, creating soft romantic lighting to make her appear younger. She is clinging to the past. Stanley and Stella’s relationship is more modern than Blanche’s need to a chevalier blanc . Scene 4 – Blanche is left out again, doesn’t understand Stanley and Stella’s relationship. Stella to Blanche – ‘you are making too much fuss about this.’ Blanche – ‘I don’t understand your indifference. Scene 5 Blanche’s past catches up with her. Stanley finds out about the Flamingo – scares Blanche. Blanche’s nature is that of a hopeless romantic, not self sufficient. She tries to seduce a boy – attempting to recapture her lost youth. Scene 11 – Stella packs Blanche’s bags. Poker night again – the presents still carries on. Blanche thinks she is going on a cruise, still stuck in a romantic dream. As Blanche leaves, Stanley comforts Stella with sex to show that the past has not affected them and without Blanche, life will go on. Scene 6 – Mitch and Blanche’s evening fails because Blanche has to direct him. The only thing they have in common is death. Her romantic ideals are not working out. Blanche opens up about her past… Scene 7 – Blanche’s birthday dinner – she’s getting older. Mitch finds out about her past and it finally catches up with her when Stanley wins their latest battle. Music – ‘blue piano’ – Stanley – future. ‘ varsouviana polka’ – Blanche – past. Transport – Train – Stanley – Future Tram – Blanche – past. Past and Present