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CONTENT / TOPIC: Scenes 5-7, A Streetcar Named Desire
MATERIALS: chalk, board
OBJECTIVES: TSW
- describe the downfall of Blanche Dubois
- create a timeline of Blanche’s problematic life
- question the reliability of Blanche’s stories and actions
INITIATION: Today we are going to focus on scenes 5-7 of
Streetcar. Through the progression of these scenes, we can see
the degradation of Blanche’s character. Let’s begin with some
plot synopsis to make sure everyone knows what was going on
in the play.
PROCEDURE: TTW ask the following questions of the students:
1. What is Blanche doing at the beginning of scene 5?
2. Who fights at the beginning of scene 5?
3. What does Stanley confront Blanche about in scene 5?
4. Who comes to the door at the end of scene 5?
5. Who are the main characters in scene 6?
6. What does Blanche reveal to Mitch in this scene about
her past relationships?
7. What holiday takes place during scene 7?
8. What does Stanley reveal about Blanche’s past to his
wife in scene 7?
After students have successfully answered these questions, TTW begin a
series of discussion questions that will include the following:
1. Provide examples from scene 5 of Blanche’s
disillusionment.
2. Summarize Blanche and Stanley’s actions in scene 5.
3. Explain Blanche’s story about the young boy whom
she married in her past.
4. Describe Stella’s reaction to what Stanley reveals to her
in scene 6.
After some discussion of these questions, TTW call on two students to
write on the board. TTW then lead students through the construction of
a “Blanche Time-Line”:
Now we are going to create a timeline for the occurrences in
scenes 5-7 that directly relate to Blanche’s downward spiral.
Let’s start in scene 5. Based upon what we have already
learned today, what do you think is the first thing in scene
5 that shows that Blanche is not exactly “all there?” Good,
now let’s move on: let’s find as many examples as we can
throughout these scenes. As the teacher guides students through this
exercise, they will also work on breaking the material into components,
analyzing different aspects of the points and making sure they fit in the
timeline.
1. What is the relevancy of the statements you have
added to this timeline?
2. Why do they depict Blanche’s degradation?
3. Compare the Blanche we see at the beginning of the
timeline to the Blanche we see at the end. Do you see
any similarities and differences? Do you see a change
in her?
TTW now lead students through a discussion of what is reality and what
is illusion in scenes 5-7.
1. At the beginning of scene 5, Blanche is writing a letter
to someone named Shep. Do you think he exists?
2. Why do you think Blanche acts the way she does when
Stanley confronts her about the Flamingo Hotel in
scene 5? Pay attention to the stage directions for this
question.
3. Why do you think Tennessee Williams includes
Blanche’s astrological sign in this play?
4. Do you think that Blanche is being honest with Mitch
throughout scene 6? Or do you believe that she is still
“acting” in front of him?
5. In scene 7, Stella talks of Blanche’s wanting to marry
Mitch. Do you think this is true? Had they married,
would it have worked out?
6. What significance do you see in the ending of scene 5
(with the paperboy) after having read scene 7?
CLOSURE: We have had some great discussion today. Can
anyone give me a brief summary of what we learned about
Blanche’s personality and her degradation? Great! Tonight
for homework, you have two things to do. Go through your
notes from today’s lesson and design some sort of graphic
representation of Blanche as we have described her. This
may be artwork, it may be a graph or chart, a model, etc. Just
think of some sort of creative way to represent Blanche. I am
not looking for anything elaborate, just something simple. It
shouldn’t take you more than a half hour to do this. I also
want you to read scene 8. Tomorrow we will talk about scene
8 and about your mini-projects! Good luck!
Abbreviations in this essay follow School of Education standards.
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