John Mcrae's Streetcar lecture - Scene 4:

Choral commentary – music in the background
The tragedy represents that ‘life goes on’
Unknown of the actual tragedy – some critics see it as ‘unfulfilled desire’
Mitch is emblem of unfulfilled desire

 

‘DESIRE’

-          Money would be nice, but desire is the key

 

MOTH
Contrast what her mind feels and what her emotions do
Blanche always has a dream involving a male who will help her out
Blanche does not give up hope
‘Shep Huntley’ may be one of blanches fantasies
However, Blanches husband did exist

 

‘But the only way to live with such a man is to--go to bed with him! And that's your job--not mine!’
-          The only way you could put up w a man is to sleep with them
-          ‘your job’  a woman’s role is to sleep with her husband
-          ‘job’ – talking about money

‘bestial’ – contrast between a man who will live with his emotions explicitly out there, and one who would live not like that

Blanche admires the violence

‘survivor of the stone age’ – juxtaposition, modern America relating to history
 Stella has accepted her role, blanche has never been able to have that role

 

‘trains passing’ – sexual symbol

 

“In some kinds of people some tenderer feelings have had some
little beginning! That we have got to make grow! And cling to, and hold as our flag!”

 

‘flag’ – the confederate flag of southern states
Feelings are permitted, feelings should grow

John Mcrae's Streetcar lecture - Scene 3:

Steves joke:
Rooster chasing the hen – represents the males of society, group of men joking about sex
Priorities, picks corn over sex    
This represents the male dominant society and male's proities

‘Nigger’ – doesn’t think about it

Mitch and Blanche’s conversation

‘The little boys room’ – flirting
Mitch and Blanche’s relationship is for physical needs
MITCH – lives alone w his mum, potential sign that he’s gay
Only one actual gay character in this play – Allan
‘Gallantry’ – old world style of courtship, old fashioned

GONE W THE WIND – Blanche DuBois also played heroine

Play about America growing up

Mitch grows up – sees Blanche for who she really is
Blanche does not grow up

Poker game scene

violence

Clash of egotistical males and their values
‘They’re crazy about each other’ – sex, physicality
Blanche cannot relate to Stella and Stanley’s world of violence and rough relationships – only gallantry