A Streetcar Named Desire Quotes on Social Class

Questions and Answers

What does Williams' opening stage direction imply about the integration of races in New Orleans?

It represents a conflict between races.

It indicates that integration is common everywhere.

It shows a lack of equality in social class.

It demonstrates an equality in social class. (correct)

What does Stanley's clothing foreshadow about his character in relation to Blanche?

The distinct juxtaposition of Stanley's rough work clothes against Blanche's attire foreshadows their social class conflict.

How does Blanche's attire contrast with Stanley's?

Blanche is daintily dressed in a white suit, highlighting the tension in social class between her and Stanley.

What does it mean when it says Blanche's appearance is incongruous to the setting?

Blanche does not fit into the lower-class society of New Orleans. Signup and view all the answers

What does Stella's use of animalistic imagery signify in the context of social class?

It illustrates the separation between Blanche and Stanley's social classes. Signup and view all the answers

What does Stanley's question about pearls and gold bracelets imply?

It implies his bitterness towards Blanche's wealth. Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche's statement about being an English instructor reveal?

It reveals her intellectual background and heightens sympathy for her downfall. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Blanche consider Stanley 'common'?

She views him as inferior due to his lower social status. Signup and view all the answers

What does Stanley's statement 'I am not a Polack' signify?

It signifies his struggle against social discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche's repetitive questioning about the grapes suggest?

It shows her unchanged mindset and difficulty to empathize with her situation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Opening stage direction highlights racial integration in New Orleans, suggesting a complexity in social equality.
Stanley's blue denim work clothes symbolize his working-class roots, contrasting sharply with Blanche's appearance, setting the stage for class conflict.
Blanche’s white suit signifies her attempt to maintain an upper-class facade, further exacerbating social class tensions with Stanley.

Character Incongruity

Blanche's presence is marked as incongruous within New Orleans society, emphasizing her disconnection from the environment and class norms.
Her arrival contrasts with Antonio’s entrance in “Malfi,” showcasing the tension between different social classes.

Animalistic Imagery

Stella’s comparison of Blanche and Stanley to different species underscores the divide in their social standings, reinforcing Blanche's struggles within a lower-class milieu.

Wealth and Manipulation

Stanley's questioning of Stella regarding pearls and gold bracelets reveals his resentment towards wealth and uses class as a form of manipulation to create tension.

Intellectual Capacity

Blanche’s admission of being an English instructor serves to elicit sympathy, highlighting her intelligence and subsequent victimization by Stanley, mirroring Bosola's experiences.

Superiority Complex

Blanche's claim of Stanley's commonness illustrates her perception of social hierarchy, using an exclamative to underline her disdain.

Resistance to Discrimination

Stanley's response to Blanche's derogatory comment showcases his resistance to social discrimination, revealing the underlying class conflict.

Stagnation and Repetition

Blanche's insistence on cleanliness for the grapes exemplifies her obsession with social standards and a refusal to adapt, complicating reader sympathy as her downfall unfolds.

Description

Explore key quotes from 'A Streetcar Named Desire' that highlight themes of social class and race. This quiz focuses on the intricate dynamics of class and societal roles as depicted in Tennessee Williams' play. Test your knowledge with flashcards that cover significant textual evidence and interpretations.