A Streetcar Named Desire Quotes

"They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six blocks and get off at-Elysian Fields!" (Scene 1)

Here, Blanche explains to Eunice and Negro woman what means of transportation she took to arrive at her sister's apartment. All of these places are highly symbolical- they basically sum up her life journey. Her sexual desire led to her moral decline and social death. Elysian Fileds represent the land of the dead in Greek Mythology and Blanche's final destination where she faces the sins she has committed in the past.

"I, I, I took the blows in my face and my body! All of those deaths! The long parade to the graveyard! Father, mother! Margaret, that dreadful way!" (Scene 1)

Blanche's outburst concerning the loss of Belle Reve show how traumatized she is with death, which is one of the themes in the novel, although subtly interwoven into the story itself. Death is part of everyone's life, but in Blanche's case, death changes the course of her life, guiding her directly into moral and psychological abyss. First, she had lost her beloved husband who committed suicide after she found out about his affair with male friend. Then, she lost her parents and other family members, which led to decline of their little empire called Belle Reve.

"BLANCHE:

What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire -the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another...

STELLA:

Haven't you ever ridden on that street-car?

BLANCHE:

It brought me here.-Where I'm not wanted and where I'm ashamed to be..." (Scene 4)

Dialogue between two sisters the night after the fight at the Kowalski's. Blanche wants to bring her sister to senses by making her face the facts about Stanley's rough nature. Stella disagrees and explains how strong their love is, provoking Blanche to utter the words above. However, this dialogue has double meaning- it complements the meaning of the places in the novel and their symbolism.

"Don't ever talk that way to mel "Pig-Polack-disgusting-vulgar-greasyl"-them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister's too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said- "Every Man is a king!" And I am the king around here, so don't forget it!" (Scene 8)

Stanley has had enough of Stella's nagging since her sister's arrival. He claims his throne and puts women in their place. This sheds light on women status in America after the World War II.

"I don't want realism I want magic! [Mitch laughs] Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don't tell truth, I tell what ought to be truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it!" (Scene 9)

In this scene, Mitch demands an explanation from Blanche for her deceitful behavior. These line show her inability to face the reality and cope with consequences. She has chosen a wrong approach to life and it led her to final downfall.

"So I came here. There was nowhere eIse I could go. I was played out. You know what played out is? My youth was suddenly gone up the water-spout, and-I met you. You said you needed somebody. Well, I needed somebody, too. I thanked God for you, because you seemed to be gentle-a cleft in the rock of the world that I could hide inl But I guess I was asking, hoping-too much!" (Scene 9)

Blanche seems to be open about her life situation for the first time. Also, these lines explains that she perceives Mitch as her savior. Furthermore, it is just one of many examples of her dependance on men, delibarately brought up by the author who wanted to depic the postwar American society and women's somewhat unenviable status.

" Whoever you are-I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." (Scene 11)

These are Blanche's last words before she disappears from the scene at the end of the novel. She says this to doctor who came to take her to asylum. They carry a weight because not only do they confirm what's been said before about her dependence on men, which led to her final devastation, but they emphasize her psychological weakness- whenever she cannot cope with the reality, she immerses into the phantasy world where everything is alright.

"This game is seven card stud." (Scene 11)

The last line in the novel uttered by Stanley. Blanche represented an obstacle in his life, and their relationship could be described as a poker game. Both of them fought for Stella's compliance. At the time Blanche would have a lead, then Stanley would turn the game into his favor. In the end, by getting rid of Blanche, he claims his victory with these words.