A Streetcar Named Desire Society and Class Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #1

Her appearance is incongruous to the setting. She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district. (1.14)

This is a fitting initial description of Blanche, since she does indeed spend all of the play feeling "out of place." What’s interesting is that, rather than adapt to her surroundings (which, amusingly, she claims while talking to Stanley that she is very capable of doing), Blanche tries to alter her surroundings to suit her persona.

Quote #2

EUNICE
A great big place with white columns. (1.63)

Stanley later references these same white columns. Belle Reve is very much a part of Stella’s background, and no one has forgotten that.

Quote #3

BLANCHE
…I let the place go? Where were you! In bed with your – Polack! (1.185)

Blanche comes to rely heavily on this derogatory term. She uses her outdated idea of "class" in order to establish her superiority over Stanley.