A Streetcar Named Desire (Scenes 1 & 2)

In the beginning of A Streetcar Named Desire, we meet Stella and her husband Stanley, who live in a two-bedroom apartment on Elysian Fields in New Orleans, Louisiana. The story begins when Stanley tells his wife he is going bowling with friends. Stella decides to go with him. Two women begin to talk, one of whom is Eunice; a white woman who lives in their building. Later, a woman dressed in all white and pearls approaches the scene. This is Stella’s sister Blanche, who is paying an expected visit to Stella, but an unexpected one to Stanley. After Eunice tells Blanche her sister is out, she takes her to the apartment and, to Blanche’s surprise, is quite cramped. After Eunice leaves to go get Stella and Stanley, Blanche looks around the place while having a drink. Upon Stella’s arrival home, we see the two sisters embrace, thrilled to see one another. We learn that Blanche is on a leave of absence from her teaching job and is not excited about living in such tight quarters. Additionally, we learn their family owned a plantation in Mississippi called Belle Reave. Blanche expresses bitterness towards Stella for leaving the plantation and not staying back to help her save it. After Stanley and his friends come home from bowling, we see Blanche and Stanley first interact in a conversation about Blanche’s previous marriage.

To begin scene two, Stella tells Stanley to take is easy on Blanche because she’s upset about losing Belle Reave. We also learn Stella is pregnant, but doesn’t want Blanche to know. Stella decides that her and Blanche are going out, but before she can go, Stanley demands to see papers that record Belle Reave was sold. We learn that that Belle Reave was not sold but instead lost. Stanley doesn’t believe its true and tells Stella about the Napoleonic Code: A code that states whatever belongs to the wife also belongs to the husband. After Stella walks away, upset, he begins to rummage through Blanche’s things only to find furs and jewelry. When Blanche comes out, she acts flirtatious with Stanley which annoys him. When Stanley asks about the money, she continues to flirt. Stella walks in, but Blanche sends her away to get something from the drugstore. After she leaves, Blanche tells Stanley she will answer any questions. Stanley finds what he thinks are documents, but are instead are love letters that are important and valuable to Blanche. She later hands over all documents that are related to Belle Reave. Stanley tells her a lawyer will look them over and says “a man has to take an interest in his wife’s affairs --- especially now that she’s going to have a baby” (Williams 44). When Stella comes back, Blanche admits she flirted with her husband and expresses her new-found excitement for her being pregnant.

Stella is a more quiet and subtle character, who seems to be extremely genuine in her actions and relationships. Blanche is very lady like and flirtatious, which clashes with Stanley characteristics. Stanley is dominant, confident and blunt. He is not afraid to get his point across or hurt someone along the way.

How do we think Blanche and Stanley’s relationship will evolve? Will they clash or ultimately get along?

How will the theme of desire play an important role in these relationships and the plot of the novel?