JC H2 Lit Group (with Cheryl and Nathan) paper on A Streetcar named Desire - Belle Reve

Discuss the significance of Belle Reve to each of the characters

Stanley

(page 17) “Genuine fox fur-pieces, a half a mile long! Where are your fox-pieces, Stella? Bushy snow-white ones, no less! Where are your white fox-pieces?”

+

(page 18) “Pearls! Ropes of them! What is this sister of yours, a deep-sea diver who brings up sunken treasure? Or is she the champion safe-cracker of all time! Bracelets of solid gold, too! Where are your pearls and gold bracelets?”

→ Hyperbole + metaphor + comparison

→ By comparing her to such professions and comparing Blanche’s wealth of clothing to Stella’s lacklustre ones, Stanley attempt to highlight the questionability of Blanche’s story of the loss of Belle Reve which shows Stanley’s materialistic nature as he shows so much concern over Blanche’s stash which he said that Blanche “raided some stylish shops in Paris”, which he suspects that the money from the estate has went to fuelling her lavish lifestyle.

(page 16) “Well what in hell was it then, give away? To charity?”

+

(page 22) “I don't want no ifs, ands or buts! What's all the rest of them papers?”

→ cursing(?) + listing

→ Shows Stanley’s impatience in the lack of information Stella knows and the dubious nature of Blanche’s account of how the estate is lost. This highlights Stanley’s materialistic nature as his impatience only stems from wanting the money that the grand estate represents

(page 18) “I have an acquaintance that works in a jewellery store. I'll have him in here to make an appraisal of this. Here's your plantation, or what was left of it, here!”

+

(page 17) “It looks to me like you have been swindled, baby, and when you're swindled under the Napoleonic code I'm swindled too. And I don't like to be swindled.”

→ repetition

→ Shows the extent that Stanley is dubious of Blanche’s story of the loss of Belle Reve. His skepticism which Stella does not share, highlights not only his dislike for his sister-in-law but also his resentment towards the loss of the estate which he sees as a symbol of wealth.

(page 23) “You see, under the Napoleonic code--a man has to take an interest in his wife's affairs--especially now that she's going to have a baby.”

→ Dashes(?)

→ His revelation of Stella’s pregnancy, despite Stella warning him against it (“And, oh! Don't mention the baby. I haven't said anything yet, I'm waiting until she gets in a quieter condition.”), is a last ditch effort to justify his sudden outburst that might have given his materialistic nature away as he attempt to direct Blanche’s attention away from his outburst and instead on Stella’s baby. This shows not only Stanley’s materialistic nature (hence his fondness for the estate as it represents wealth) but also his awareness of his actions, rationalising Stanley’s obsession over the fate of Belle Reve.

Blanche

Pg6: “Belle Reve?”
“A great big place with white columns”

“Yes…”

Contrast to pg5 “This here is Elysian Fields...They mustn’t have - understood - what number I wanted…”

→ The contrast between the grand outward appearance of Belle Reve and Elysian Fields, highlights just how big of a change in environment which Blanche goes through. The use of the adjective “great” and “big” to describe Belle Reve portrays its grand outward appearance as opposed to Elysian Fields. Furthermore, Blanche’s unwillingness to believe that she is in Elysian Fields portrays her inability to move on from the grand life of Belle Reve. Thus, Bell Reve becomes a representation of a life that she is unable to let go off

Pg11: “Well, Stella--you’re going to reproach me, I know you’re bound to reproach me -- but before you do -- take into consideration - you left! I stayed and struggled! You came to New Orleans and looked out for yourself! I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together! I’m not meaning this in any reproachful way, but all the burden descended on my shoulders”

→ Blanche’s attempt to justify the lost of Belle Reve demonstrates the sacrifice that she experiences and demonstrates her unwillingness to move on with the loss. The repetition of the word ”reproach” reiterates her unwillingness to take responsibility for losing it which manifests in Belle Reve becoming a symbol of the sacrifices she made. 

+

Pg11: “You are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I! I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it!

→ Serves as a further illustration of the sacrifice that Blanche goes through. 

Pg22: “There are thousands of papers, stretching back over hundreds of years affecting Belle Reve as, piece by piece, our improvident grandfathers and father and uncles and brothers exchanged the land for their epic fornifications

→ Belle Reve becomes a symbol of man’s desire as it was “exchanged... for their epic fornifications” to suggest Blanche’s realization that man pay for their desires. Therefore, Belle Reve becomes a place which reminds Banche that her value is viewed based on her sexual appeal.

Pg23: Oh, I guess he’s just not the type that goes for jasmine perfume, but maybe he’s what we need to mix with our blood now that we’ve lost Belle Reve.

→ The “jasmine perfume” becomes a symbol for the privileged life which Blanche had while in Belle Reve and Blanche’s act of using it shows her inability to let go of this lifestyle that she once had. Thus, portraying the inflexibility that Blanche possesses as she chooses to continue living as if she were in Belle Reve

+

Pg5: 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

Sig: Towards Blanche, Belle Reve becomes a symbol of the privileged life which she is unable to move on from which in turn influences the way she acts in Elysian Fields as she continues to hold on to the values that were once prevalent there.

Stella 

(Page 12) “Belle Reve? Lost is it? No!” + (Page 13) “ B: oh stella , stella, you’re crying!... S: Does that surprise you?”

• Exclamations and repeated questioning
• Implies that whilst Stella may have left the Old South, Belle Reve is still important to her
• It incites an emotional reaction in stella, a contrast to the presentation of her mild practical nature.  

(page 16) “Stan, we've-- lost Belle Reve!...[vaguely]:Oh, it had to be --sacrificed or something. 

(page 17) “I don't understand what happened to Belle Reve but you don't know how ridiculous you are being when you suggest that my sister or I or anyone of our family could have perpetrated a swindle on anyone else...Not sold--lost, lost!” 

• Vague language “or something” “i don’t understand”  + SD [vaguely] 
• Suggests Stella’s lack of effort in understanding what exactly happened to Belle Reve
• Highlighting that while is still holds significance to her as a childhood home, her adult home in Elysian Fields has very much superseded its importance in her mind. 

(Page 21) “B[lightly]: Honey, do me a favor. Run to the drugstore and get me a lemon-coke with plenty of chipped ice in it!-- Will you do that for me, Sweetie?

STELLA [uncertainly]:Yes” + (Page 46) “I like to wait on you, Blanche. It makes it seem more like home.” 

• Repeated instances of Stella doing Blanche’s bidding, waiting on her, “yes, blanche” repetitions
• Give insight to the atmosphere of Belle Reve and the relationship Blanche and Stella had.
• Suggests that Stella was very much the subservient one, being partially repressed by Blanche. and continues to be under Stanley. Stella’s tendency to follow others thus stems from her upbringing. 

( page 36-7) “BLANCHE: Baby, my baby sister!...STELLA [drawing away from her]...He smashed all the light bulbs with the heel of my slipper![She laughs.]

BLANCHE:And you--you let him? Didn't run, didn't scream?

STELLA:I was--sort of--thrilled by it.

• From notes: Reference to light and its source. While blanche s aware of the truth light exposes, Stanley and Stella seek darkness to enjoy their physical, sado-masochistic relationship fully. 
• Blanche’s term of endearment towards Stella as “ Baby, my baby sister”
• Extends the idea of Security provided by Belle Reve for Stella, but also its repression
• The image of the lightbulbs being smashed reflect the stark contrast between the sterility of Belle Reve and the vagueness of Elysian Fields. 
• Protection/repression vs thrill. Comparison through Stella and Blanche’s interactions vs Stella and Stanley. Presents the idea of Stella being allowed to be free, thus reinforcing Belle Reve as a place of repression for Stella thus prompting her desire to escape. 

(page 68) “You showed me the snapshot of the place with the columns. I pulled you down off them columns and how you loved it, having them colored lights going!”

• From notes: Stella’s liberator. He’s only encountered the columns in a photo?? Symbol of aristocratic privilege, they represent not only the plantation but the Old South. The only way he could entice Stella away from this world was through sex, metaphorically taking her down from columns that provide Safety and Shelter
• Image of columns juxtaposed with colored lights
• Evokes the disparity between New Orleans and Belle Reve, as well as Stella’s preference for the latter. (escapism???)

Illustration: (page 11) “the best i could do was make my own living, Blanche” “i know, i know. But you are the one that abandoned Belle Reve, not I!” + (Page 83) “EUNICE:What else could you do?

STELLA:I couldn't believe her story and go on living with Stanley.

EUNICE: Don't ever believe it. Life has got to go on. No matter what happens, you've got to keep on going.

• “Abandoned” here used as a somewhat derogatory term to make Stella feel guilty for abandoning the family and leaving Belle Reve to Blanche. 
• Emphasizes Stella’s prioritization of her own interests (indiv) over that of her family (society) in both instances when she left Belle Reve and in sending Blanche to receive treatment. 
• Stella sees Blanche and Belle Reve as an obstacle to her interests as well as that of her own family (stanley and the baby)’s, thus choosing Stanley over Blanche despite their blood relations. 

(Page 36) “You can get out. 

STELLA [slowly and emphatically]:I'm not in anything I want to get out of.

BLANCHE [incredulously]:What--Stella?

STELLA:I said I am not in anything that I have a desire to get out of.” + (page 39) “STELLA:You take it for granted that I am in something that I want to get out of.

BLANCHE:I take it for granted that you still have sufficient memory of Belle Reve to find this place and these poker players impossible to live with.

STELLA: Well, you're taking entirely too much for granted.” 

• Repetition of the idea of Stella’s lack of motivation to leave Elysian Fields despite her abusive relationship with Stanley
• Is reflective of Stella’s view of her place in New Orleans vs Belle Reve. Stella’s desire to escape Belle Reve is contrasted to this instance of wanting to remain in New orleans
• Suggesting that Stella feels a greater sense of belonging here than in Belle Reve. Stella’s common-ness is in line with the New Orleans residents thus heightening her sense of belonging. (place as a symbol of commonality in values and priorities)
• Illustration: (Pg 65) “Don't ever talk that way to me! Pig--Polack--disgusting--vulgar--greasy!"-- 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!” highlights the disparity between Stella and Blanche’s upbringing/mannerisms against the environments Belle Reve and New Orleans. 

(idea for overall significance) - i and S

Significance of place then specifically Belle Reve

Belle reve pg 93: remain a picture/idea. Symbol of privileged existence that has been forcibly relinquished, a way of life that has been superseded. Beautiful dream. The house is a fantasy, a version of the Old South that was never quite true.