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Have you read "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams?

I just need some help with an assignment. Dont worry I'm not asking you to do it, I've done most of it actually and yes I have read the book, not just sparknotes.

So we have to write a monologue that gives us more insight into the novel, and more information. So like a new scene, but a monologue (which = no dialogue). I picked the scene right after Stanley rapes Blanche and before they're sending her off to a mental hospital. It Blanche confronting Stella about the rape, because it seems that the story kinda should have had that part. It just jumps from Act 10 to 11, with that chunk missing.

I just need help filling in some of the spaces, just suggestions of what to add would be good. The '___________' are the spaces in the middle.

After Scene 10, but before scene 11:

Blanche confronts Stella about what Stanley did to her and her past

It has been 2 weeks Stella has given birth to the baby. Stanley is at the bowling alley around the corner with the other boys. Mist is seen coming out of the bathroom as Blanche steps out from the third hot bath of the day that she has taken. She moves around the room skittishly putting on her cleanest dress and most magnificent jewelry. Stella is fussing over the baby, rocking it back and forth, trying to get the baby to sleep, while humming lullabies. Blanche is seen constantly rearranging the contents of the dresser and looking from side to side nervously. Every once in a while, she is seen stealing glances at Stella, before a look of defeat flashes through her face.

Blanche to Stella:

Stella, honey, now there’s something important that I need to talk you about but honey, I need you to listen to me. You’ll believe me, wont you Stella? [Stella sets the baby down on the bed and looks up cautiously] Now don’t look at me like that, honey. ______________ [Stops and thinks for a minute] You know that I would never lie to you baby right? [Hastily adds] About anything-anything important, I mean honey. You know that right, Stella? [Stella ducks her head down] Honey, you know that right? Yes, I’m sure you must. [Blanche starts to pace around the room, then suddenly stops and moves towards her suitcase and applies some of her perfume. Blanche watches Blanche quietly] Oh, my baby, Stella! I don’t know how to-how to tell you this.

Oh it was horrid, just terrible. I can’t – I can’t – I don’t know- I just don’t understand. Look at me, I’m such a mess, maybe – maybe I should go take a hot bath. Oh, honey pass your sister some whiskey will you honey. Now, Stella I’ve told you before, don’t give me that look, you’re sister’s not a drunkard contrary to belief. I’m just so- I just don’t understand baby. Please, hurry give that to your sister, will you now honey? Quickly, Stella. [Stella pours Blanche a drink and gives it to her reluctantly]. [After taking a big gulf] Oh this buzzes right through me, it feels so good. [Quickly gulps the rest down] Yes, that’s better.

Oh, baby. I don’t know how to tell you this. It’s just horrid, the things- those callused hands. I-I cant take this anymore, Stella baby. Oh, Stella, please believe me baby. Its-Its Stanley, that _____________________(long list of opinionated mean comments about him).

It was the day you gave birth to the baby,

This is what I have so far, as you can see its kinda choppy and missing a ton. So what do you think so far? And do you have any suggestions for the holes in the middle?

Update:

"Oh that buzzes right through me" is actually a line that I took from when they first talked for the first time. Its the the exact same, word for word. Thanks so much for your help though!

3 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    It's really solid. Consistent with the book, save for a few too many honey's and baby's. Blanche does talk like that, but not after every sentence. You could also toss something in about her avoiding the light and maybe make a reference to a poet (in the book she references browning, wordsworth, poe, and a few others). Most of the comments on Stanley in the actual book are about his primitive nature..he's childish, beastly, an animal. Blanche also has a habit of getting really defense without having been accused of anything and then tries to blame Stella (think of the first scene where she tells Stella that she lost Bell Reve). Also, I don't see Blanche as having that kind of reaction to alcohol..she does often says that she rarely drinks and is defensive about her drinking, but where she says "Oh, this buzzes right through me, it feels so good" seems out of character.

    Really good, though.

    PS. Ah! Okay, sorry about that. I must not have remembered it. It's been a while since I've read the play!

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    A Streetcar Named Desire (New Directions Paperbook) by Tennessee Williams is the best book I've ever read. Tennessee Williams brings together Stella, Stanley - her brutish husband- and Blanche Dubois, Stella's sister. Blanche comes to live with Stella and Stanley after she is kicked out of a different town for being a flirt. Stella who is in denial about this tries her best to be a good host and comfort Blanche. Stanley is more wise than Stella and does research. Through a whirlwind of the blue piano that plays by their street, and poker nights, Blanche realizes she is no longer the sophisticated southern Belle she made herself out to be. Basically, Blanche goes crazy and was "forced" to deal with Stanley the way Stella has for the while they've been together.

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  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    Blanche's finished lifestyles replaced right into a delusion. Stella replaced into the to blame one that took care of her husband and mentally ill sister Stanley faces certainty daily yet is disillusioned with it, and desires for a delusion lifestyles. That places the spin on his relationship with Blanche. you will possibly desire to truly study this a pair of circumstances because of the fact what your searching for an particularly obvious.

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