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Streetcar Summary - Coggle Diagram
Streetcar Summary
SCENE 1
SCENE 2
- Stella tells Stanley that she is going out with Blanche to get her out of house before poker night, as well as that Belle Reve is lost.
- This creates tension, where Stanley believes that he owns whatever Stella owns, so is angry by the thought of Blanche swindling him of his share of money
- Stanley and Blanche meet, where she is very flirtatious but he is blunt, foreshadowing the tension between the two
- Stanley demands the papers for Belle Reve and accuses Blanche of using the money to buy expensive clothing, which Blanche reiterates that the house was "lost"
- Stella is seen as the submissive character, with Stanley and Blanche both using imperatives against her and has the least speech in the scene.
- Stella is revealed to be pregnant, and she returns to the drugstore, along with the men for the poker game. Exhilarated by the news of the baby, Blanche and Stella go out.
SCENE 3
- In the poker night, Stanley dominates the conversation and becomes frustrated because he is losing. Stella and Blanche return from the show, where Stanley whacks Stella's thigh in a primitive gesture of ownership.
- Blanche meets Mitch as he comes out of the toilet, who seems attracted to her. To attract his attention, she undresses in the light through the portieres and pretends she didn't realise.
- Mitch uses going to the bathroom as an excuse to go see Blanche, where he shows her his silver cigarette case with an inscription - both have lost a loved one
- Blanche creates a series of lies (not drinking and Stella is her older sister) to flirt with Mitch, and fishes for compliments, which he fulfils. Blanche turns on the radio to dance with him, which he does in a bear-like fashion, until Stanley throws the radio out the window
- Stella calls him a drunk, resulting in her being hit. Shocked, Blanche takes her up to Eunice until Stanley calls Stella in an animalistic way, and she comes down.
SCENE 4
- The next day, Stella protects Stanley, claiming that he was drunk, while cleaning the mess from the night before. Blanche thinks of wiring Shep Huntleigh for money in order to 'escape', illustrating the dependence on men (paradox of escaping one man for another)
- Stella makes it clear she doesn't have anything she wants to leave. Blanche says she has no money, and Stella offers 5 dollars that Stanley gave as a result of last night.
- Blanche complains about how primitive Stanley is and reflects on how she was forced out of Laurel. Unbeknownst to the women, Stanley is listening outside and enters with the noise of the train, embracing Stella in victory
SCENE 5
- The shouts of Steve and Eunice interrupt Blanche and Stella's conversation, where Eunice accuses Steve of being unfaithful and claims to go to the police, however goes to the bar instead
- As Blanche subtly insults Stanley, he asks if she knows a man named Shaw after learning about her past, insinuating that she had an indecent reputation.
- Stella returns and Blanche criticizes herself for being too 'soft' and admits she no longer has a youthful appearance. She promises to leave soon after Stella accidentally spills coke on her dress
- Nervous for her date, Blanche admits to lying to Mitch as she needs him as protection and escape, which Stella assures Blanche that it will work out.
- Blanche opens the door to a young newspaper boy and flirts with him, ending with a kiss after saying he looks like an Arabian prince
SCENE 6
- After their date, Blanche invites Mitch in for a night-cap, insisting that they stay in darkness to pretend they are in Paris. Blanche reveals her distain for Stanley while Mitch awkwardly talks about her weight
- Blanche reveals that her dead husband was gay, with her homophobia causing his suicide (the reason for her fear of light), strengthening Mitch's adoration for her
SCENE 7
- It is Blanche's birthday, and Blanche is taking a bath, singing lyrics to a romantic child song, whilst Stanley reveals Blanche's bad reputation to Stella. He informs Stella that she was fired from her job due to a relationship between a seventeen year old student
- Stella tells Stanley that Blanche married a gay man to excuse her behaviour but Stanley has already told Mitch and will not be coming to the dinner.
- Stanley gives Blanche a present, a bus ticket to Laurel, with the scene ending with Stanley going to the bathroom and slamming the door
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- Stanley appears and calls for Stella, his wife, to catch a package of meat. He goes bowling and Stella follows.
- Blanche is confused and Eunice, the neighbour, assures her that this is the place, letting her into the apartment. Waiting for Stella, Blanche finds a bottle of whiskey and drinks it
- When Stella arrives, Blanche complains about the apartment and asks for a drink to calm her nerves before continuing to degrade the size of the apartment. Stella explains that New Orleans is different and the apartment isn't bad
- Blanche tells Stella that she resigned being a teacher from nerves and asks where she will sleep. Stella shows the folding bed and explains that Stanley won't mind the lack of privacy due to being Polish.
- Blanche reveals that Belle Reve, their ancestral home, has been lost, reminding Stella that she had to stay there and fight whilst she was with her "Polack". Stella cries and Stanley arrives, taking off his top and asks Blanche if she was married to which she replied yes but he is dead