Important+Quotes+for+Streetcar


 * 1) // Streetcar // Quote Activity


 * 1) For Blanche, Stella, Stanley and Mitch, choose 3 quotes (dialogue, not stage directions) that are **most telling about each character. This means three quotes PER character.**


 * 1) Choose 4 quotes (dialogue) that are most indicative of **theme** (state the theme after each quote).


 * 1) Choose 3 of Tennessee Williams’ **stage directions** that **best establish the mood and setting of New Orleans.**

Once you have collected and made note of the quotes you find most appropriate for each of the three items above, justify why your selections are the most important and relate to the theme of the play (in writing). We will ultimately share our findings with the class.


 * Megan Breitenbach and Eric Schroeder**

Blanche
 * 1) **Characters**
 * “Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” P142 Ironic that she has depended on their kindness when they’ve been taking advantage of her and ruining her.
 * “I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.” P55 Blanche prefers darkness, or at least some kind of shade, so that things are not out in the open. She can’t deal with reality and criticism.
 * “It’s only a paper moon, Sailing over a cardboard sea -But it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me!” P99 Blanche wants to live in a fantasy world, and bring her relationships with her.

Stella
 * “No. Stanley's the only one of his crowd that's likely to get anywhere.” P50 Stella believes that Stanley is special among the common people who are his friends.
 * “He didn't know what he was doing....He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he's really very, very ashamed of himself.” P63 Animal reference. She is easily swayed to his side.
 * “I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley.” P133 Stella is caught in the middle, has to choose between her sister and her husband.

Stanley
 * “Some men are took in by this Hollywood glamor stuff and some men are not.” P39 Stanley implies that he is not fooled by gaudy appearances; he is a realistic, straightforward man.
 * “In the state of Louisiana we have the Napoleonic code according to which what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband and vice versa.” P34 Sexism, the husband controls the wife.
 * “I am not a Polack. People from Poland are Poles, not Polacks. But what I am is a one hundred percent American, born and raised in the greatest country on earth and proud as hell of it, so don’t ever call me a Polack.”P110 Stanley is easily offended, and very proud. He is the quintessential American man’s man.

Mitch
 * “Poker should not be played in a house with women.” (Page 63 and 65)
 * “No, I don't think I want to marry you anymore... No, you're not clean enough to bring into the house with my mother.” Scene 9 pg. 120-121 Mitch is one of the few characters who have morals in this story. He stands by his values and has some control over his actions and will take control in a situation for the better good.
 * “You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be — you and me, Blanche?” (Scene six page 121). Mitch and Blanche are both lonely and long for companionship, and they are both blinded by that idea.

>
 * 2. Theme quotes**
 * “It’s only a Paper Moon” song relates to fantasy/inability to overcome reality “It’s a Barnum and bailey world, Just as phony as it can be—“ Scene seven page 101
 * “Desire!...” “Haven’t you ever ridden on that street-car?” “It brought me here.—Where I’m not wanted and where I’m ashamed to be…” Scene Four page 70 relates to central theme of the book; desire can overcome judgment
 * “I don't want realism. I want magic!” (p. 145) Denial. Blanche denies her past and what is currently going on around her, Stella denies that Stanley has some sort of anger issue, Stanley denies raping Blanche
 * "Please don't get up." "Nobody's going to get up, so don't be worried." (pg 48) This represents the idea of the "old south" and the "new south." Blanche is used to a man being more of a gentlemen and that idea does not exist in New Orleans.

> Stanley represents the new America, the idea that everyone is equal and that class does not have a large impact on your place in society, where as Blanche believes that class does matter.
 * 3. Stage directions and setting**
 * "...I let the place go? Where were //you//! In bed with your – Polack!” Blanche mentions Stanley as a ‘Polack’ in a derogatory way. She uses her outdated idea of “class” in order to establish, both, her and Stella’s, superiority over Stanley and his lower class life style.
 * "That's how I’ll clear the table! [He seizes her arm]. Don’t ever talk that way to me! ‘Pig – Polack – disgusting – vulgar – greasy!’ – them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you think you two are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said – ‘Every Man is a King!’ And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!” Scene 8 pg. 107
 * "Her appearance is incongruous to the setting. She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district.” Scene 1 page 14This description of Blanche shows that she does not adapt to her surroundings of New Orleans, but keeps her Southern Belle appearance and tries to alter her surroundings to suit her.


 * Sam Figueroa**
 * Kelsey McGrail**


 * Blanche**:


 * 1) Stella: “You never did give me a chance to say much, Blanche. So I just got in the habit of being quiet around you.” (p. 20) à Blanche is self-centered; always dominates conversation
 * 2) “It’s the first time in my entire experience with men, and I’ve had a good deal of all sorts, that I’ve actually been stood up by anybody! Ha-ha! I don’t know how to take it…” (p. 106) à Had lots of experience with men; defines herself on how many men she’s been involved with
 * 3) “I want to //deceive// him enough to make him – want me…” (p. 81) à deceptive; wants attention regardless of what it takes
 * 4) Stella: “And admire her dress and tell her she’s looking wonderful. That’s important with Blanche. Her little weakness!” (p. 33) à insecure; needs to be told she’s beautiful


 * Stella**:


 * 1) “Yes, you are, Blanche. I know how it must have seemed to you and I’m awful sorry it had to happen, but it wasn’t anything as serious as you seem to take it. In the first place, when men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen. It’s always a powder-keg. He didn’t know what he was doing…He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself.” (p. 63) à blinded by her love for Stanley; too insecure and too in love to see how bad he is
 * 2) “She is. She was. You didn’t know Blanche as a girl. Nobody, nobody, was tender and trusting as she was. But people like you abused her, and forced her to change.” (p. 111) à would do anything to defend her sister; very caring
 * 3) “The best I could do was make my own living, Blanche.” (p. 25) à self-sufficient; makes her own living; separated from the rest of her family


 * Stanley**:


 * 1) Stella: “Stanley’s always smashed things. Why, on our wedding night – soon as we came in here – he snatched off one of my slippers and rushed about the place smashing the light bulbs with it.” (p. 64) à has always had anger issues; should’ve seen from the beginning
 * 2) “Compliments to women about their looks. I never met a woman that didn’t know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and some of them give themselves credit for more than they’ve got. I once went out with a doll who said to me, ‘I am the glamorous type, I am the glamorous type!’ I said ‘So what?’” (p. 39) à uses women; likes to bring them down to make himself feel better
 * 3) “That’s how I’ll clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me! ‘Pig – Polack – disgusting – vulgar – greasy!’ – them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said – ‘Every Man is a King!’ And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!” (p. 107) à calls himself a king; believes he’s superior to all others


 * Mitch**:


 * 1) “She says to go out, so I go, but I don’t enjoy it. All the while I keep wondering how she is.” (p. 46) à compassionate; always puts his mother first; feels bad when he’s not with her
 * 2) “About the same, thanks. She appreciated your sending over that custard. – Excuse me, please.” (p. 49) à very polite; respectful of women; juxtaposition to Stanley
 * 3) “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.” (p. 121) à puts his mother first; doesn’t want to bring Blanche home; wants someone more respectable


 * 4 Quotes about Theme:**

Blanche: "I was so exhausted by all I'd been through my-nerves broke [Nervously tamping cigarette] I was on the verge of-lunacy, almost!" (Denial) pg. 21

Blanche is in denial of the real fact of why she is exhausted from her own life, and it is her own fault. Also, this seems like an exaggeration but Blanche really is on the verge of lunacy

Blanche: "I was fishing for a compliment, Stanley." (Superficial, Insecure) pg. 39

Blanche represents insecurity within the play, and she out right acknowledges this here by admitting to Stanley that she was actually trying to provoke a compliment out of him. She is attempting to make herself feel better than her sister Stella by essentially tempting what is hers; Stanley.

Blanche: "I know I fib a good deal. After all, a woman's charm is fifty percent illusion, but when a thing is important I tell the truth, and this is the truth: I haven't cheated my sister or you or anyone else as long as I have lived." (Deceit) pg. 41

People who have to justify the fact that they are not liars are generally the biggest liars. Which is interesting because she does admit to "fibbing" she probably does this to prove a point, that yes, humans do "fib" but she does not tell larger more important "lies."

Blanche: "Please don't get up."

Stanley: "Nobody's going to get up, so don't be worried."

(Spiteful) pg. 48

Stanley has a strong distaste toward Blanche and he constantly attempts to assert his authority in front of his friends over Stella and over his household.


 * 3 Quotes (Mood & Setting):**

"Two women, one white and one colored, are taking the air on the steps of the building. The white woman is Eunice, who occupies the upstairs flat; the colored woman is a neighbor, for New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city where there is a relatively warm and easy intermingling of races in the old part of town." (pg. 13)

Right away, an accurate depiction of New Orleans is set. Eunice and Stella's relationship is also depicted well, two women from very different walks of life simply enjoying the same thing.

"As the lights fade away, with a lingering brightness on their embrace, the music of the "blue piano" and trumpet and drums is heard." (pg. 73)

The blues type music is played and is inferred that it is being heard from the club, the Four Deuces, down the street

"Dusk settles deeper. The music from the Four Deuces is slow and blue." (pg. 83)

Often the background music is used to set the tone for the emotions felt within the minds or hearts of the main characters.

Marie Ronda Victoria Bellmay Alexis Doucette

__Characters__

1. “I was so exhausted by all I’d been through my-nerves broke. I was on the verge of-lunacy, almost! So Mr. Graves – Mr. Graves is the high school superintendent-he suggested I take a leave of absence. I couldn’t put all of those details into the wire…Oh this buzzes right through me and feels so good!” (Williams 21)
 * Blanche**

This perfectly describes Blanche because it shows how anxious she is about everything surrounding her and why she feels as though she must cover her past up.

2. “Hello, Stanley! Here I am, all freshly bathed and scented, and feeling like a brand new human being!”(Williams 37)

Describes how the bath makes Blanche feel young and cleansed from her past.

3. “All right. Cards on the table. That suits me. I know I fib a good deal. After all, a woman’s charm is fifty percent illusion, but when a thing is important I tell the truth, and this is the truth: I haven’t cheated my sister or you or anyone else as long as I have lived.”

Here the reader does not know if this is yet another of Blanche’s lies since she lies about everything from her past to her current age.

1. “In the first place when men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen. It’s always a powder-keg. He didn’t know what he was doing…he was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself.” (Williams 63)
 * Stella**

This shows how tolerant she is of Stanley and how she is not the type of person who is going to fight her husband against something like this because she knows it will just be worse for herself in the long run.

2. “But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark-that sort of making everything else seem-unimportant.” (Williams 70).

Other than what Stella is obviously referring to, this could be her way of crying out for help from what Stanley does to her. 3. “I don’t listen to you when you’re being morbid!” (Williams 79)

This is important in the story because this is the first time we actually see Stella become annoyed with Blanche. This shows the strong side of Stella that rarely comes out.

1. “And you run out an’ get her cokes, I suppose? And serve em’ to Her Majesty in the tub?” (Williams 97)
 * Stanley**

This quote shows the terrible attitude Stanley has toward everyone, but especially Blanche.

2. “They told her she better move on to some fresh territory. Yep, it was practickly a town ordinance passed against her!” (Williams 101)

The only reason why I chose this quote is because it describes how brutish Stanley is based on the fact that his grammar is so poor.

3. “Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house!” (Williams 130)

This is the most climatic scene of the play, where Stanley rapes Blanche and is essential for fully understanding his character.

1. “You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be-you and me, Blanche?” (Williams 96)
 * Mitch**

This shows what a kind person Mitch is, and that he’s only looking out for the best intentions of himself and Blanche.

2. “I told you already I don’t want none of his liquor and I mean it. You ought to lay off his liquor. He says you been lapping it up all summer like a wild-cat!” (Williams 115)

This shows how honest Mitch is. Also that he, at this point in the play, can see right through Blanche and her intentions. He doesn’t want to be played.

3. “I’ve asked you to go out with me sometimes on Sundays but you always make an excuse. You never want to out till after six and then it’s always some place that’s not lighted much.” (Williams 116)

This is the first time someone is calling Blanche out on her insecurity of being in the light. Light shows fine wrinkles, and Blanche does not want to be known as having those because her outer image is so important to her since the inner image is so horrible.

__Theme__ Blanche: “Please don’t get up” Stanley: “Nobody’s going to get up, so don’t worry”

This shows the difference between the way people acted in the Old South and the way that people act in the area of New Orleans where Stanley and Stella live.

__Setting of New Orleans__ 3. Setting: Page 13 Stage Directions “The exterior of a two-story corner building on a street in New Orleans which is named Elysian Fields and runs between the L&N tracks and the river. The section is poor but, unlike corresponding sections in other American cities, it has a raffish charm. The houses are mostly white frame, weathered grey, with rickety outside stairs and galleries and quaintly ornamented gables. This building contains two flats, upstairs and down. Faded with stairs ascend to the entrances of both.”

The book makes New Orleans sound charmingly unique. Although it may be a poor neighborhood, it is charming and peaceful.


 * Brett Lewbel**
 * Alex Brown**
 * Jessica Stanton**


 * Characters:**

Blanche: All of these quotes highlight the facade that Blanche presents and how she constantly tries to shield herself from reality. Blanche is a dealer in lies and deceit, through and through, though it may be more like an addiction than an act of malice.
 * 1) "I don't want realism. I want magic!" (117)
 * 2) "Don't say I lied to you." (119)
 * 3) "I like it dark. The dark is comforting to me." (116)

Stanley: Stanley is perhaps the most antagonistic and most offensive character in the entire play, and these quotes highlight three key aspects of his personality. He is sexist and egotistical, placing men far ahead of women and adopting the "Ralph Kramden" philosophy that "men are the kings of their castles." Additionally, he is bossy and does not hide his contempt for Blanche and, finally, he is a realistic, down-to-earth person determined to expose Blanche for what she is- no matter how much this upsets Stella.
 * 1) "Remember what Huey Long said – ‘Every Man is a King!’ And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!” (107)
 * 2) "She'll go on a bus and like it!" (104)
 * 3) "Which brings us to lie number two." (100)

Stella: These quotes highlight the loyalty Stella has for Blanche and how it is very difficult for her to accept her sister's decreasing sanity or her past and present sins.
 * 1) "There's plenty of time to ask questions later." (35)
 * 2) "I don't want to hear anymore!" (100)
 * 3) "Now please tell me quietly what you think you've found out about my sister." (98)

Mitch:

These quotes reveal how anxious Mitch is to know the truth about Blanche from every point of view. He wants to see her real face, know her real story.
 * 1) "I've never seen you in the afternoon, you never want to go out in the afternoon" (116)
 * 2) "I've never had a real good look at you, Blanche." (116)
 * 3) "I called him a liar at first." (117)


 * Theme Quotes:**


 * The Theme of Lies and Deception:**
 * 1) "It's a Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be!" (99)
 * 2) "I don't want realism. I want magic!" (117)
 * 3) "It's only a paper moon." (100)
 * 4) "Lie number one: all this squeamishness she puts on!" (98)


 * Mood and Setting:**


 * 1) **"The Amusement Park on Lake Pontchartrain...statuette of Mae West"- New Orleans has a reputation for being a fun, lively, fun-loving city**
 * 2) **"More laughter and shouts of parting came from the men"**
 * 3) **"The sort of prize one won at shooting galleries and carnival games."**

__ **Baron Kim & Leonard Marshall** __

//__Character Quotes__//


 * Blanche:
 * “Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
 * Blanche’s character requires pity
 * “A woman’s charm is fifty percent illusion”
 * Blanche is a very fake woman who relies on facades to survive
 * “Say, it’s a only a paper moon, Sailing over a cardboard sea – But it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me!”
 * Blanche is living in a make-believe world and lies to herself and those around her


 * Stella:
 * “I like to wait on you, Blanche. It makes it seem more like home.”
 * Stella was constantly in Blanche’s shadow and so she feels as though she needs to remain loyal to Blanche and look out for her well-being.
 * “What have I done to my sister? Oh, God, what have I done to my sister?”
 * Stella recognizes that she is more selfish than she thought. She recognizes that she acted with what was best for herself in mind, not what was best for Blanche.
 * “When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild!”
 * Stella and Stanley have a very passionate romance.

Stanley Mitch
 * 1) “It ended the conversation – that was all. Some men are took in by this Hollywood glamor stuff and some are not” (Williams 39).
 * 2) “I’ll keep ringin’ until I talk with my baby!” (Williams 59).
 * 3) “I’ve been on to you from the start! Not once did you pull any wool over this boy’s eyes!” (Williams 127).
 * 1) “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.” (Williams 121).
 * 2) “Poker should not be played in a house with women” (Williams 57).
 * 3) “You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be – you and me, Blanche?” (Williams 96).

__//Theme Quotes//__ Social Class Differences
 * 1) “The Kowalskis and the DuBois have different notions” (Williams 37).’
 * 2) “Well if you’ll forgive me, he’s common! (Williams 71).

Drunkenness Desire
 * 1) “Drunk, drunk – animal thing you! (Willians 57).
 * 1) What you are talking about is brutal desire - just – Desire! (Williams 70).


 * Stage directions:
 * “Two women, one white and one colored, are taking the air on the steps of the building. The white woman is Eunice, who occupies the upstairs flat; the colored woman a neighbor, for New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city where there is a relatively warm and easy intermingling of races in the old part of town.
 * This stage direction helps to make the setting at the beginning of the show seem like a very tolerant and accepting place. This will prove to be ironic as Blanche will have trouble fitting in. Then again, it makes sense that she wouldn’t because she is not so tolerant herself.


 * “The bedroom is relatively dim with only the light that spills between the portieres and through the wide window on the street”
 * The scene is very dark, and this dark feel is suggestive of some seedy occurrences.


 * “The view through the big windows is fading gradually into a still-golden dusk. A torch of sunlight blazes on the side of a big water-tank or oil-drum across the empty lot toward the business district which is now pierced by pinpoints of lighted windows or windows reflecting the sunset”
 * As dusk creeps in, time runs low. A feeling of desperation is evident.