Scene One
Reread the opening stage
directions of the play. Identify
an example of personification
Williams used and explain
how this description of the
setting sets the tone for the
play.
Scene One
What is your first impression
of Blanche upon meeting her?
How does Williams create
this? Consider her actions,
her clothing, and how her
facial descriptions are
described.
Scene One
"They told me to take a street-car named
Desire, and then transfer to one called
Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at --
Elysian Fields.” Why might Williams have
chosen this
route to
deposit
Blanche at
Elysian Fields?
Scene One
Look through the first scene
and create a list of all the
terms of address Stanley uses
to nominate Stella. What does
this reveal about both Stanley
and Stella?
Scene One Scene One
Belle Rêve is French for Why does Blanche visit her sister? What is
beautiful dream. Because the the relationship like between the two sisters?
French noun, rêve, meaning Give an example from the text to support
dream, is masculine, the your opinion.
premodifying adjective should
be beau, rather than belle. What
does this “mistake” suggest
about Blanche’s dream from the
outset?

Scene One Scene One

When we first meet Stanley,
"There is something about
he is carrying a “red-stained
her uncertain manner, as well
package from the butcher.”
as her white clothes that
What is the significance of him
suggests a moth."
throwing this meat to Stella?
What does this suggest about
What are the characteristics
his view of women? What
of a moth? What could this
does this tell us about how
be saying about Blanche?
Stella views herself?

Scene Two
Consider the inclusion of the
tamale vendor calling out “Red-
hot!” at the end of this scene.
What are the connotations of
this phrase? What could be the
significance? Who or what is
“Red-hot!”? How so?
Scene Two
Blanche tells Stanley,
“Everything I own is in that
trunk,” making the prop a
symbol of her life and herself.
What does Stanley’s violation
of that trunk reveal about his
character? How could this
incident be an example of
foreshadowing?
Scene Two
In Scene 1, Stella refers to Stanley as a
“different species,” which could be a
reference to Darwin’s On the Origin of
Species. Consider the theory of survival of
the fittest. Who would survive the play
according
to Darwin?
Explain.
Scene Two
Between Blanche and Stanley,
who wins the struggle in this
scene?
Scene Two
Notice all the paper mentioned
in this scene – love letters,
papers from Belle Reve. What is
the significance of paper? Why
are these paper so important?
Scene Two
Why does Stanley suspect
Blanche in this scene? Is there
anything in particular that
hurts Blanche’s credibility?
Scene Two
How does Stanley’s language change during
his conversation with Stella about Belle
Reve? What does this reveal about his
character?
Scene Two
Stanley calls Stella “baby” as
he attempts to “enlighten her
on a point or two” could be a
term of endearment or could
reveal his attitude toward
women. What is your
interpretation of this term of
address from Stanley? Explain.
Scene Three Scene Three
How do the various characters Why does Stella return to Stanley?
react to Stanley’s violence in
this scene? What does this
suggest about them?

Scene Three Scene Three

The white radio becomes
What are the connotations of
associate with the idea of a
the color of the red robe
power struggle between Stanley
Blanche wears she she is
and Blanche. Who wins this
talking to Mitch outside of
power struggle and by what
the bathroom in this scene?
means? What does this struggle
What about the place blue
reveal about Blanche and
color of the kimono she
Stanley’s differing perspectives
changed out of?
on life?
Scene Three Scene Three
During the poker game in this Mitch’s use of the idiom, “all quiet along the
scene, is Stanley winning or Potomac” references the Civil War, when a
losing? What about Blanche, is general said things were quiet on the front
she figuratively winning or lines even though men were still being killed.
losing? How does this
add meaning
to what Mitch
implied?

Scene Three Scene Three

When Stanley screams Stella’s
Blanche uses a euphemism in
name at the end of this scene,
her reference to the “little
Williams describes him as “like a
boys’ room.” What does this
baying hound.” How does this
suggest about Blanche’s
imagery suit Stanley? Why does
character and how she wants
Williams refer to him in
to be viewed?
animalistic terms?
Scene Four Scene Four
Identify in this scene the exact Blanche uses the metaphor of the “rap-trap
place where Stanley won streetcar that bangs through the quarter” in
against Blanche in the battle for her conversation with Stella, to which Stella
Stella. Why this point? asks Blanche if she’s ever “ridden on that
streetcar.”
What might
the streetcar
symbolize?

Scene Four Scene Four

What is the effect of coinciding
What is the significance of
Stanley’s entrance with the
Blanche not being able to use
approach of the train? How can
a modern telephone?
the train symbolize Stanley?

Scene Four
What plans does Blanche want
to make for Stella’s future?
Why?
Scene Four
Why is Blanche so adamant
about calling Shep Huntleigh?
How much help do you think
he will be able to provide? Do
you think he will remember
Blanche? Explain.
Scene Four
In the opening stage directions of this scene,
Stella is described as resting her hand on her
belly “rounding slightly with new maternity,”
while the other “dangles a book of colored
comics.” What does it suggest about Stella’s
character that
she is reading
a comic
book?
Scene Four
What does Stella reveal to
Blanche about her relationship
with Stanley? What is it that
draws them together?

Scene Five
What is the symbolism of the
Coca-Cola that spills onto
Blanche’s white dress? What
could this action represent?
Scene Five
What is the significance of the
hand-held mirror Blanche
looks into during this scene?
What is she confronting in
doing so?
Scene Five
Why does Williams include the argument
between Steve and Eunice in this scene? Is
this a similar event but with different
characters? How so? Notice how Blanche
and Stella react to the argument. What does
this suggest
about life in
the French
Quarter?
Scene Five
We learn in this scene that
Stanley is a Capricorn, the goat,
and Blanche is a Virgo, the
virgin. Consider the
connotations of the star signs.
How do they add their
characterization?

Scene Five
Has Stella completely
conformed to the ways of the
“New South”? Explain.
Scene Five
Why does Blanche kiss the
newspaper boy? Do you
sympathize with her at this
point? What could this
foreshadow about why she
lost her job?
Scene Five
Blanche refers to Mitch as her
“Rosenkavalier,“ a romantic hero of an opera.
What does this suggest about Blanche? What
is she looking for with Mitch?
Scene Five
Why does Stanley refuse to kiss
Stella in front of Blanche? What
is his motive in doing so?
 Scene Six
Scene Six Why does Blanche tell Mitch the story of her
The motif of light is used husband? Is she being sincere or does she
repeatedly in this scene. List at have another motive? Explain.
least five places where light is
mentioned in this scene. What
does light represent for
Blanche?

Scene Six Scene Six

What do Mitch and Blanche have
How does the information
in common?
Blanche shares about her
dead husband, Allan, change
your opinion of her?
Scene Six Scene Six
What is the significance of Blanche’s last line
The opening stage directions
in this scene: “Sometimes – there’s God – so
state that Mitch took Blanche to
quickly!”?
an amusement park for their
date. What does this suggest
about both characters and what
they are looking for?

Scene Six Scene Six

After returning home from
their date, Blanche stands
outside looking for the
Pleiades, the constellation of
the seven sisters. Why is
Blanche outside looking for a
sister? What does this
suggest about her
relationship with Stella?
What is the significance of the
Polka music, the Varsouviana?
What is the only thing that stops
the music from playing in
Blanche’s head? What is she
reminded of when she hears the
music?
Scene Seven Scene Seven
What word does Stella use to refer to Allan’s
Birthday cakes usually
sexuality in this scene? What are the
symbolize celebration. Is this a
connotations of this word? Why do you think
celebratory scene? What else is
she used this word? What are the modern
signified by the cake and the
implications
candles?
of this word?

Scene Seven Scene Seven

What is the significance of Consider Stanley’s behavior in
Blanche’s constant bathing? this scene. Is there any way to
What is she trying to clean? consider him a hero for his
action in this scene? Explain.
Scene Seven Scene Seven
Find at least two different animals that are
Why does Stanley tell Mitch
compared to Blanche in this scene. What is
what he learned about Blanche?
being implied by the comparisons and are
Do you think this was the right
they effective?
thing to do? Why or why not?

Scene Seven Scene Seven

Why has Blanche lost her What flower does Stanley
teaching job? Is this compare Blanche to in this
surprising? Why or why not? scene? How is this significant?
Do you believe Stanley?
Scene Eight Scene Eight
At the end of the scene, Stanley attempts to
Stella goes into labor as she and
go bowling. Why does Williams have Stanley
Stanley are arguing at the end
play this sport? How is this significant?
of the scene. What does this
symbolize? What could the
baby symbolize for both Stella
and Stanley?

Scene Eight Scene Eight

Blanche makes a joke that she
is turning 27. Why is Blanche
so concerned with her age?
What does this tell us about
her character?
How does Williams describe
Stanley while he is eating in this
scene? What do these actions
reveal about Stanley’s character.
Scene Eight Scene Eight
Is Stanley being deliberately cruel in this
What is the significance of the
scene? Why or why not?
broken dishes? What do they
signify for Stella? For Blanche?
For Stanley?

Scene Eight Scene Eight

What is the significance of the What attitudes towards America
bus ticket Stanley bought does Stanley revel in this scene?
Blanche? Consider the Do you share Stanley’s views of
connotations of the mode of America?
transportation. How is this
different from the mode of
transportation Blanche used
when she arrived?
Scene Nine Scene Nine
How has Mitch changed in this scene? Is he a
Make a note of what both Mitch
sympathetic character in this scene? Explain.
and Blanche are wearing in this
scene. How do their costumes
reflect their characters?

Scene Nine Scene Nine

How does Blanche still What is the significance of the
attempt to cling on to fantasy Mexican woman at the end of
in this scene? the scene? Consider what she is
selling and how this could be
significant.
Scene Nine Scene Nine
How does Mitch mistreat Blanche? How can
What is the significance of Mitch
his actions be justified?
tearing off the paper lantern in
this scene? Why is it significant
that he put it up in the first
place?

Scene Nine Scene Nine

Blanche ends the scene by What does Blanche say is the
crying, “Fire! Fire! Fire!” What opposite of Desire? What does
could the fire symbolize? this mean? Explain.
Scene Ten Scene Ten
How is the scene with the drunkard and the
Did Williams intend for the rape
prostitute significant?
to be premeditated by Stanley
or a spur-of-the-moment
decision? Explain and give
evidence.

Scene Ten Scene Ten

Read the stage directions What are Stanley’s motives for
again right before the attack. raping Blanche? Why does he
What does this suggest about resort to violence?
Blanche?
Scene Ten Scene Ten
Could it be argued that Blanche encouraged
Why does Blanche claim in this
Stanley in any way? Explain and give
scene that she is going on a
evidence.
cruise with Shep Huntleigh?
What are her motives?

Scene Ten Scene Ten

What earlier event in the play
foreshadowed the rape?
Were you surprised at
Stanley’s actions? Explain.
What is the significance of
Stanley wearing his wedding
night pajamas during his attack
on Blanche? What does this
suggest about Stanley as a
character and his views about
marriage?
Scene Eleven Scene Eleven
Stella says she “couldn’t believe her story
What is the significance of
and go on living with Stanley.” What does
Stanley tearing down the
this suggest about Stella? How do you feel
remains of the paper lantern?
about Stella as a character at this point?

Scene Eleven Scene Eleven

Blanche’s final words are, “I
have always depended on the
kindness of strangers.” What
does this mean? How is this
the cause of Blanche’s
problems?
How does Mitch act during the
final scene? Why does he act this
way? Do you feel sympathy for
him? Did he love Blanche?
Scene Eleven Scene Eleven
Find at least two religious references in the
The last line of the play
final scene. Why does Williams use this
references the poker game
religious language? Why does he emphasize
again. What does this imply for
the theme of religion at this point?
the characters remaining? How
have things changed? How is
life like a game?

Scene Eleven Scene Eleven

Why does Blanche not Why does Stella go on living
acknowledge Stella as she with Stanley at the end of the
leaves? play?
Scene Eleven Scene Eleven
In scene 10, Blanche cries on the phone that
Is Stella a weak character?
she is “caught in a trap.” Is she the only
Explain.
character that is trapped? Explain.

Scene Eleven Scene Eleven

The original title of the play Now that Blanche is gone, what
was “The Moth.” Who does will Stanley and Stella’s marriage
this reference? How so? be like?
Would this have been a
better title for the play?
Explain.