Scene 1
Summary
Blanche Dubois arrives in Elysian Fields in New Orleans. She looks out of place and there is certainly an underlying tension apparent when Blanche meets her sister Stella. They talk about living arrangements and Stella’s husband Stanley. Blanche reveals that the family homestead, Belle Reve has been lost. There is quite a difficult meeting between Stanley and Blanche; Stanley then sets up a poker match and begins to judge the recently acquainted Blanche. The main part of the scene focuses on Blanche, building up her character and looking at her actions and reactions to other characters.
Williams’ Purposes
- To introduce setting of the play
- To introduce main characters- Blanche, Stella and Stanley
- To polarise characters of Stanley and Blanche with Stella as the link
- To create tension between these characters
- To reveal differences in class and background between the sisters
- To give an initial insight into the carnal relationship between Stanley and Stella.
- To establish a close connection between sexuality and love
Commentary
- Elysian Fields is synonymous with paradise according to classical mythology- the place where those who are heroic or favoured by the gods go after death. This can be seen as ironic because of the dilapidated nature of the street. However it is also the dwelling place of the dead and Blanche’s...
