Characters
This fragile Southern woman arrives in New Orleans to stay with her sister.
Who is Blanche Dubois?
The city where the play takes place.
What is New Orleans?
Stanley throws this at Stella in Scene One.
Meat
Illusion vs. this harsh opposite
Reality
“I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it!”
Who is Blanche?
Stella’s husband, known for his aggression and poker nights.
Who is Stanley Kowalski?
The name of Blanche’s lost family plantation.
What is Belle Reve?
The game Stanley and his friends play the night Blanche meets Mitch.
Poker
This person overhears Blanche telling Stella that he is “subhuman” and “apelike.”
Who is Stanley?
“Don’t ever believe Blanche. Life has got to go on. No matter what happens, you’ve got keep going.”
Who is Eunice?
Blanche’s gentle love interest who lives with his sick mother.
Who is Mitch?
This recurring music represents Blanche’s trauma and memories.
What is Polka Music?
Stanley discovers the truth about Blanche’s past in this town.
Laurel
The destructive power of this force drives Stanley's actions
“Oh, I knew you weren’t sixteen anymore; but I was fool enough to believe you were straight.”
Who is Mitch?
Blanche’s sister who chose Stanley over her old life.
Who is Stella?
The streetcar Blanche takes before arriving at Elysian Fields.
What is Desire?
Stanley commits this violent act near the end of the play.
Assaulting Blanche
Blanche's downfall is tied to guilt over this persons death
Husband Allan
“People have got to tolerate each other’s habits, I guess.”
Who is Stella?
Blanche's old beau who she may or may not be still in contact with
Who is Shep Huntleigh?
Light symbolizes this truth that Blanche tries to avoid.
What is Reality/Aging?
Blanche is taken to this place in the final scene.
Mental Institution
The play suggests society treats the mentally fragile with this.
Cruelty/Neglect
“We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning.”
Who is Stanley?