Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the name 'Belle Reve' literally mean in French?
What does the name 'Belle Reve' literally mean in French?
Belle Reve is seen on stage in the play.
Belle Reve is seen on stage in the play.
False
What does the name 'Belle Reve' reveal about Blanche's perception of her past?
What does the name 'Belle Reve' reveal about Blanche's perception of her past?
It is idealized and not as perfect as it may be portrayed by Blanche.
Tennessee Williams moved from _______________________ to St Louis as a child.
Tennessee Williams moved from _______________________ to St Louis as a child.
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Match the following literary works with their descriptions:
Match the following literary works with their descriptions:
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The character of Blanche is comfortable with the noisy and crowded environment of Elysian Fields.
The character of Blanche is comfortable with the noisy and crowded environment of Elysian Fields.
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What is the significance of the name "Elysian Fields" in the play?
What is the significance of the name "Elysian Fields" in the play?
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What is the significance of the "blue piano" in the play?
What is the significance of the "blue piano" in the play?
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The outside world of Elysian Fields visually ______________________ Blanche's fate.
The outside world of Elysian Fields visually ______________________ Blanche's fate.
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Match the following descriptions with the correct location:
Match the following descriptions with the correct location:
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Study Notes
Belle Reve
- Symbolizes a privileged existence and the old South lifestyle that Blanche longs to return to
- Represents an idealized and elevated status, with white columns pointing towards heaven
- Never seen on stage, highlighting the idea that Blanche cannot return to this way of life
- The name "Belle Reve" has a grammatical error, suggesting that it may not be as perfect as it seems
Tennessee Williams' Inspiration
- Williams moved from Mississippi to St. Louis as a child, mirroring Blanche's move from Laurel to New Orleans
- His mother was a southern belle who struggled with psychological problems and lost social status, influencing his sympathetic view of the South
Literary Influences
- Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" parallels with Belle Reve, both representing doomed and extravagant existences
- Social realism critiques power structures and socio-political conditions of the working class
- Inspiration from Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" critiques the position of women and the negative outcome of blindly following a husband
New Orleans
- Emblem of new American values and contrasting with Belle Reve's life of wealth and extravagance
- Linked to Stanley's presentation as a stereotypical American working-class man
- "Raffish charm" and "white frame, weathered grey" descriptions contrast with Belle Reve's grandeur
- The use of aural techniques, like the blue piano, enhances the cultural richness and uniqueness of the setting
Elysian Fields
- A complete opposite of Blanche's upbringing, with noise, chaos, and decay
- "Raffish charm" and oxymoron descriptions romanticize the decayed city and present it positively
- Links to death, suggesting Blanche should have let go of the past with Belle Reve
- "White frame, faded grey" foreshadows Blanche's deterioration, and the absence of doors between rooms highlights class differences and Blanche's inability to hide her secrets
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Description
Explore the symbolism of Belle Reve in Tennessee Williams' iconic play A Streetcar Named Desire. Learn about its representation of the old South lifestyle and its significance in the story.
