Scene 4

• Scene Summary and Analysis

  The scene opens with a description of Stella, which highlights herserenity, asomewhat jarring transition from the previous scene.She is laying directly in the sunlight.There is no obscurity of truth here, Stella’s calmness is genuine. The description highlights herpregnancy,bringing attention to her connection toStanley, her dependence on him and her determination to make it work between them, despite the violence she endured. The description of her expression as one of “somewhat narcotized tranquility” is notable as it creates a sense of delusion around her decision to stay with Stanley.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Blanche enters the room, looking shaken and sleepless. Herneuroticstate contrasts heavily with Stella. BlancheinterrogatesStella on how she could have possibly come back to Stanley, but Stella seems somewhatirritated, turning against Blanche and telling her she’s overreacting. She explains that Stanley’s tendency toward aggression, especially when he drinks, is something she is used to. It“somewhat thrills her”. This enhances the primal depiction of their sexual relationship in the previous scene, and highlights the toxicity in their relationship. The fact that Stanley’s violence is so easily accepted brings forth the problematicnature of idealising toxic masculinity. In some ways, the two sisters’ roles are inverted here. Despite her neurotic appearance, Blanche, who has had bad experiences with men in the past, takes on the practical, logical role, and Stella is deluded by her love for Stanley.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Despite Stella’s attitude, Blanche continues to be horrified, insisting that they have to get away from the situation. She insists that they need to get hold of some money, and mentionsShep Huntleigh, an old suitor of hers who has become rich through the oil business, in hopes that he may be able to help them. In discussing money, Blanche refers to herself as“indifferent to it”, claiming she only cares for money“in terms of what it does for you”.This is an interesting comment in light of Blanche’s dependence on social status. She only thinks of putting on the illusion of wealth. Coming from a privileged background, she doesn’t realise the extent to which money is necessary for the way she chooses to present herself to the world.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  In a panic, she begins drafting a message for Shep. As she’s doing this, Stella continues to laugh her off and Blancheadmitsto Stella that she’s broke. Stella insists onsplittingthe ten dollars Stanley gave her that morning with Blanche,another signal of Stella’s kindness and genuine care for her sister.Blanche refuses to take it, continuing toworryabout how she’s going to find enough money to get them away from Stanley, but Stella tells her she wishes she woulddropit.Blanche tells her that she feels unsafe living with him. Stella tells her she has seen him at his worst, but Blancheinsiststhat she saw him at his very peak. The peak of his“animal force”, which she sees as all a man like Stanley has to offer.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  While Stellainsiststhat she doesn’t want to get out, Blanche’s attention turns away from Stanley’s violence. She reminisces their upbringing and differences insocial status, unable to understand how someone who grew up in their beautiful bourgeois lifestyle could live in this poverty stricken context with such an ungentlemanly,brutish man. She says that she understands how Stella may have been attracted to him, having met him as a soldier.This points to the idealisation of militarymasculinity and patriotism.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Stella explains that her sexual relationship with Stanley drowns out everything else, and the conversation turns to thetheme of desire.It becomes apparent that the extent to which Stanley’s violence ties into his sexual physicality makes it alluring to Stella.Blanche refers to this as “brutal desire”,an epithet for the way the play ties danger to sexuality. The allegory of the streetcar comes back up, with Blanche claiming that that’s what brought her to this place, where she is ashamed to be. Again, this allegory gives away a little bit about Blanche’s complicated past with her sexuality.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  After thisallegoryof desire as a streetcar both sisters have ridden on before, Stella tells Blanche she’s beingpatronising, and if she understands these feelings she shouldn’t act above them. Blanche continues to tell her she cannot pursue a future with Stanley, but Stella says she loves him.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  A train roars past, coinciding with Stanley’s entrance.This association between Stanley and the train can allegorise a few things, including the thrustingapproach of a masculine presence and Stanley’s association with modernity. It also acts functionally so that Stanley goes unheard, being able to listen in on the rest of the conversation.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  Blanche turns the conversation back to associating Stanley’sviolencewith hissocial class, calling him“common”and eventually“bestial”. She then goes into amonologuewhich focuses on closely associating Stanley with anapeand ananimal. This isa lexical field we are accustomed to in relation to Stanleyat this point, but he isn’t aware of.There’s an interesting engagement with the idea of progression. While we have become used to associating Stanley withmodernity, Blanche clearly sees his primalism as being stuck in the past.
• Scene Summary and Analysis

  As another train passes, Stanley pretends to have just arrived. Him and Stella embrace passionately, andhe grins at Blanche over her shoulder. This is a menacing look to the audience, who knows what he just heard.
• Key Quotes


  “I was sort of- thrilled by it”- Stella

  This line is key in tying together Stanley’s violence with hissexuality. Both are intrinsic to his animalisticmasculinity.It therefore shows us the extent to which Stella is blinded by her desire for Stanley due to the strong masculine force here presents. It ties in thematically to the idea of thedanger of desire.
• Key Quotes


  “What you are talking about is brutal desire- just- Desire!- the name of thatrattle-trap streetcar that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another….” - Blanche

  Bringing back theallegoryof the streetcar and tying it to Stella’s situation broadens the theme of desire and danger, showing us itsuniversalityamongst the female characters.
• Key Quotes


  “In this dark march towards whatever it is we’re approaching...don’t- don’t hang back with the brutes” - Blanche

  This picture ofprogressionpainted by Blanche, wherein Stanley represents“hanging back”, isironicdue to the context the play is set in as well as the wider ties between Stanley and modernity. It illustrates Blanche’sillusion, as she is still attached to the values she was brought up in, and sees them as modern despite the fall of theOld South.