Conflict / Theme

• Conflict/Theme Quotes

  • “Stella, there’s - only two rooms?”
  • “You think she got those on a teacher’s salary?”

  *new paragraph*

  • “Where you been?”
  • “And you run and get her cokes, I suppose? And serve ‘em to her majesty in the tub”

  *new paragraph*

  • “Things I already suspected. But now I got proof from the - most reliable of sources - which I have checked on!”
  • “She’s not stayin’ here after Tuesday”
  • “What do you think you are? A pair of queens?” And “You healthy Polack”

  *New paragraph*

  • “Come to think of it - maybe you wouldn’t be so bad to - interfere with”
  • “You want the lantern?”
• “Stella, there’s - only two rooms?”


  Foreshadows contrasting view before even meeting.

  New life with Stanley is new and cosmopolitan while Blanche is stuck in grand old buildings.

  Start to identify theme in characters.
• “You think she got those on a teacher’s salary?”


  Stanley doesn’t trust Blanche, thinks she’s deceiving Stella.

  Wary and suspicious.

  Rough with belongings showing immediate issue.

  Beginning of clear conflict.
• “Where you been?”


  The affect Blanche has on marriage - causing breakdown in communication.

  Audience can notice frustration.
• “And you run and get her cokes, I suppose? And serve ‘em to her majesty in the tub”


  Bathing = cleansing.

  But in this case also Blanches take over of house.

  Stanley expects Stella to look after him, but instead tending to Blanche.

  Foreshadows big breakdown as Stanley must reclaim territory.
• “Things I already suspected. But now I got proof from the - most reliable of sources - which I have checked on!”


  .
• “She’s not stayin’ here after Tuesday”


  Removing Blanche and reinstating himself in charge.

  “Not” definitive, shuts down discussion.

  Stella then gets angry, which aggravates Stanley more as she is once again siding with Blanche.
• “What do you think you are? A pair of queens?” And “You healthy Polack”


  “Queens” feels inferior, power struggle.

  “Polack” late in play suggests neither are changing their views on one another.

  Shows inevitably of conflict as they cannot co-exist as they will not change.
• “Come to think of it - maybe you wouldn’t be so bad to - interfere with”


  Rape scene, shocking audience - sympathy.

  Climax of conflict. Symbolises Stanley victory.

  His way of getting rid of her and hurting her.
• “You want the lantern?”


  symbolism

  Light - truth.

  Stanley finally ripped away lies so she is revealed in the truth of light.

  He gets away without punishment while Blanche is sent away.

  Victory of new against old.