Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-1-scene-one-summary [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [English Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature.md) › [Cambridge International](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international.md) › Scene One: Summary # Scene One: Summary Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 2.1.1 ## Scene One: Summary (Part One) The play begins with the arrival of Blanche DuBois in the New Orleans French Quarter. She has come to stay with her younger, married sister, Stella, and her brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. ### Background to Blanche's visit ![Background to Blanche's visit](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/8.1.1%20Purity,%20formulations%20and%20chromatography/house-2943878_640-min.jpg) - Apparently, Blanche has lost her family home, Belle Reve to creditors. So she has travelled from the small town of Laurel, in Mississippi, down to New Orleans. - Blanche seems to have little direction, but is in her thirties. - It becomes clear that she has no money and has nowhere else to go. She is relying on the kindness of Stella and Stanley. ### Streetcar ![Streetcar](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-12/527efe8c-1b72-4866-aa8a-2a5642bc41d9/tram-.jpg) - The title of the play comes from the Desire streetcar line which ran from 1920 to 1948, at the height of streetcar use in New Orleans. - Streetcar is American-English for a tram. - The route ran down Royal, through the Quarter to Desire Street in the Bywater district and then back up to Canal. ### Blanche's route ![Blanche's route](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/cfe8857f-1ace-4a58-be89-bab1f46d034e/tram-lines-.jpg) - Blanche’s route in the play - __“They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields!”__ - is allegorical, taking advantage of New Orleans’s colourful street names. - The Desire line itself crossed Elysian Fields Avenue on its way to Canal Street. There, one could transfer to the Cemeteries line, which ran along Canal - blocks away from Elysian Fields. ### Play's opening ![Play's opening](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/7ffa073d-fa72-4846-b5c2-6d995c2e9c59/casino-gambling-chance-luck-.jpg) - Williams opens the play by showing the migrant nature of the city, showing several characters seeking direction or in the business of selling (__"Red hots! Red hots!"__). - A world of gambling is also established as the two men, Stanley Kowalski and Mitch (Harold Mitchell), discuss odds at betting. - Stanley and Stella have a tense relationship where male and female worlds are distinct. ### Elysian Fields ![Elysian Fields](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e7a15c06-0493-41f7-868d-2f7457e0d6f0/autumn-death-graveyard-tombstone-.jpg) - Elysian Fields works metaphorically here. - The term comes from Greek mythology and indicates ‘the abode of the blessed after death’. ## Scene One: Summary (Part Two) Blanche’s clothing and demeanour mark out her difference and that she does not fit this society. ### Blanche and Stella's relationship ![Blanche and Stella's relationship](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/76d289c8-59e4-4eca-85c6-aae572c2bd32/shutterstock_126066824.jpg) - When Blanche and Stella meet, the audience is aware that, despite the façade, they may not be telling the truth and that there is some sibling rivalry between them. ### Stanley and Stella's life ![Stanley and Stella's life](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/AQA%20New%20Modules/2.1.3/Army_soldier.jpg) - Blanche is not exactly enthralled about where Stella and Stanley are living and she comments on the inadequacy of their accommodation. - This is partially related to Stella having married a __"Polack"__ (a term of abuse for a Polish person). - However, Stella shows Blanche a picture of Stanley and she admits he is handsome. It seems Stanley has been in the military engineering corps. ### Belle Reve ![Belle Reve](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/8.1.1%20Purity,%20formulations%20and%20chromatography/house-2943878_640-min.jpg) - Blanche and Stella bemoan their lack of communication, culminating in Blanche’s monologue about her experiences at Belle Reve. Clearly, several family members have died and she has struggled to keep the place going. - A lack of inheritance meant she had to forego the property. - Stella is upset by this news. ### Blanche's job ![Blanche's job](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/6e1ee047-11c9-484a-8378-45e9155f98dc/Resign-Resignation-Quit-Quitting.jpg) - Blanche has left her job as an English teacher because of her nerves: the implication being that teaching is too stressful and demanding, though we later learn that there is another reason for this. ### Poker game organised ![Poker game organised](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/3b257f2a-223a-42e3-9284-ce28bf487ef5/poker-chips-casino-gamble-.jpg) - Outside, the audience is privy to the conversation between Stanley, Mitch and Steve Hubbel (another friend). - They joke with each other and negotiate a poker game, which Stanley offers to host. - Eunice Hubbel (Steve’s wife) breaks up their conversation. ### Stanley and Blanche meet ![Stanley and Blanche meet](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/631331f4-8b91-428c-80c7-d962f66887a8/cemetery-morbid-death-die-.jpg) - Stanley and Blanche then meet, with Stanley asking where she is from (Laurel). - From this conversation, it is clear that Stanley drinks and that Blanche was an English teacher. Blanche appears to want to stay with them. - At the end of the scene, Stanley asks Blanche a question about marrying young and the fate of her husband. Blanche informs him that __"the boy died"__. In saying this, she becomes sick and collapses. ## Test yourself on Scene One: Summary - Where has Blanche come from? - What do we learn about Blanche at the beginning of the play? - What are the sellers shouting at the beginning of the play? - What abusive term is used to refer to Stanley in the opening scene? - Which characters negotiate a poker game in Scene One? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ad22e856-96b3-43a8-b7b6-33dcaf9f3494/section/4633bd90-6d48-4384-b815-dccc86e462d7/session) - Previous topic: [1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-3-end-of-topic-test-author-context-and-tragedy.md) - Next topic: [2.1.2 Scene One: Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-2-scene-one-tragedy-ideas.md) ## Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire contents ### 1 Context & Overview - 1.1 The Author - [1.1.1 Tennessee Williams](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-1-1-tennessee-williams.md) - 1.2 Social Context & Setting - [1.2.1 Social Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-1-social-context.md) - [1.2.2 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-2-social-issues.md) - [1.2.3 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-3-setting.md) - 1.3 Tragedy - [1.3.1 Overview of the Tragic Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-1-overview-of-the-tragic-genre.md) - [1.3.2 Modern Domestic Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-2-modern-domestic-tragedy.md) - [1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-3-end-of-topic-test-author-context-and-tragedy.md) ### 2 Scene Summaries - 2.1 Scene One-Two - [2.1.1 Scene One: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-1-scene-one-summary.md) - [2.1.2 Scene One: Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-2-scene-one-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.1.3 Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-3-scene-two-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.1.4 End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-4-end-of-topic-test-scenes-one-two.md) - 2.2 Scene Three-Four - [2.2.1 Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-1-scene-three-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.2.2 Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-2-scene-four-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-scenes-three-and-four.md) - 2.3 Scenes Five-Eigth - [2.3.1 Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-1-scene-five-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.3.2 Scene Six: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-2-scene-six-summary.md) - [2.3.3 Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-3-scene-seven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.3.4 Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-4-scene-eight-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-scenes-five-eight.md) - 2.4 Scenes Nine-Eleven - [2.4.1 Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-1-scene-nine-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.2 Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-2-scene-ten-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.3 Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-3-scene-eleven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.4 End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-4-end-of-topic-test-scenes-nine-eleven.md) ### 3 Character Profiles - 3.1 Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski - [3.1.1 Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-1-blanche-dubois-the-past-and-illusions.md) - [3.1.2 Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-2-blanche-dubois-relationship-with-men-and-breakdown.md) - [3.1.3 The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-3-the-dynamic-between-blanche-and-stanley.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-blanche-and-stanley.md) - 3.2 Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch) - [3.2.1 Stella Kowalski](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-2-1-stella-kowalski.md) - [3.2.2 Harold Mitchell (Mitch)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-2-2-harold-mitchell-mitch.md) - 3.3 Minor Characters - [3.3.1 The Hubbels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-1-the-hubbels.md) - [3.3.2 Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-2-other-characters.md) - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-stella-mitch-and-others.md) ### 4 Key Ideas - 4.1 Sex & Gender - [4.1.1 Sex & Desire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-1-sex-and-desire.md) - [4.1.2 Masculinity & Femininity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-2-masculinity-and-femininity.md) - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-sex-desire-and-gender.md) - 4.2 Appearances, Fantasy & Reality - [4.2.1 Outer & Inner Appearances](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-1-outer-and-inner-appearances.md) - [4.2.2 Fantasy & Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-2-fantasy-and-reality.md) - [4.2.3 End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-3-end-of-topic-test-appearances-fantasy.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Structure - [5.1.1 Structure & Stage Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-1-structure-and-stage-design.md) - [5.1.2 Linking Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-2-linking-devices.md) - [5.1.3 Recurring Motifs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-3-recurring-motifs.md) - 5.2 Genre, Form & Language - [5.2.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-1-genre.md) - [5.2.2 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-2-form-and-language.md) - [5.2.3 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-3-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) ### 6 Critical Debates - 6.1 Early & Modern Reception - [6.1.1 Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-1-1-interpreting-blanche-and-self-pity.md) - [6.1.2 Contemporary & Modern Reviews](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-1-2-contemporary-and-modern-reviews.md) - 6.2 Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach - [6.2.1 Feminist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-1-feminist-approach.md) - [6.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-2-psychoanalytic-approach.md) - [6.2.3 Marxist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-3-marxist-approach.md) - [6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-4-end-of-topic-test-critical-debates.md) ### 7 Ideas About Tragedy - 7.1 Ideas About Tragedy - [7.1.1 Tragic Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-1-tragic-ideas.md) - [7.1.2 Tragic Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-2-tragic-villain.md) - [7.1.3 Tragic Structure & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-3-tragic-structure-and-language.md) - [7.1.4 Tragic Plots & Sub-Plots](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-4-tragic-plots-and-sub-plots.md) ### 8 Recap: Main Quotes - 8.1 Main Quotes by Scene - [8.1.1 Scene One - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-1-scene-one-quotations.md) - [8.1.2 Scene Two - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-2-scene-two-quotations.md) - [8.1.3 Scene Three - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-3-scene-three-quotations.md) - [8.1.4 Scene Four - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-4-scene-four-quotations.md) - [8.1.5 Scene Five - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-5-scene-five-quotations.md) - [8.1.6 Scene Six - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-6-scene-six-quotations.md) - [8.1.7 Scene Seven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-7-scene-seven-quotations.md) - [8.1.8 Scene Eight - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-8-scene-eight-quotations.md) - [8.1.9 Scene Nine - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-9-scene-nine-quotations.md) - [8.1.10 Scene Ten - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-10-scene-ten-quotations.md) - [8.1.11 Scene Eleven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-11-scene-eleven-quotations.md)