For given circumstances, I’ll just continue in Alyssa’s format and go scene by scene, putting down whatever information was revealed in the dialogue.
Scene 4
-Blanche has an acquaintance named Shep Huntleigh, who she dated in college. Shep has become fairly wealthy through the oil business. Social
– Stanley controls the household finances (Stella does not receive a “regular allowance”; possible that this is the norm?). Social/Economic
– Blanche references God and being made in His image; implies that she is a Christian. Religious
Scene 5
– Steve has been engaging in behavior giving Eunice cause to suspect him of infidelity. Previous Action
– Stanley is a Capricorn. Social
– Blanche (claims she) is a Virgo. Social
Scene 6
– Blanche can speak at least a few phrases of French; Mitch cannot. Social
– Blanche has “old-fashioned ideals.” Social
– Mitch and Stanley served together in the “Two-forty-first.” Previous Action
– Mitch’s mother worries that he will not marry before she dies. Social
Scene Seven
– “Late afternoon in mid-September.” Date/year/season/time
– Blanche was kicked out of The Flamingo Hotel for her promiscuous behavior, and ruined her reputation in Laurel. Previous Action
– Stanley and Mitch work at the same plant and play on the same bowling team. Social
Couple thoughts on polar attitudes as well. I’m not sure if the qualification is strictly how a character changes from the beginning to the end, but if we were to examine changes in the middle of the show it might be interesting to look at Stella’s relationship with Stanley, and the tides of violence, love, trust, and mistrust that seem to ebb and flow between them when Blanche is around. Also, I might rephrase the polar attitude provided for Blanche. She doesn’t necessarily have a grip on reality, as she is constantly lying to herself and people around her in order to conceal the shameful truth. As long as these lies are unchallenged in any major way, she is able to function and maintain her sanity. However, when Stanley (and subsequently Stella and Mitch) begin to press her for the truth, she shows that her fragile psyche cannot deal with the stress of acknowledging her past behavior. So I would argue that Blanche never really has a grip on reality; rather, she is able to brush reality aside, underneath the rug she has made of lies.