Hey guys, I decided to focus in on the Polar Attitudes and make sure we have that correct for the main three characters. Feel free to add anything that can develop the given circumstances with the characters more clearly.
Polar Attitudes: principal character does not change in character, but his attitudes change under pressures from forces beyond his control. We might want to focus on the Polar Attitudes a little bit more, because they are the aspect that will really drive the play forwards. For us to truly get all of the given circumstances for the play we need to understand the given circumstances for the characters as well.
Stanley Kowalski
1. How do I (the character) feel about my world?
a. I have the ambition and drive to go where nobody else can go. I may seem crude to some people, but they just don't understand me. I've always been lucky and I know that that will make me successful later on in life. I live in the now, I never think in the future and I don't let events in the past bother me.
2. How do I feel about my relationships?
a. Stella is the only thing I care about. I'm going to do whatever it takes to take care of her, but sometimes she doesn't understand that I'm in charge and I have to remind her. Sometimes I get a little out of control, but it's what I'm supposed to do. I don't trust Blanche and I think that she's trying to cut Stella out of the Belle Reve money. She's a drunk and a liar and I'm going to figure out what's happening behind her Southern Belle mask.
3. How do I feel about myself?
a. I'm pretty proud with what I've been able to accomplish and I know that there's something special and unique about me.
4. How do I feel about my prospects?
a. The future is bright for me. I know what I want and I know how to get it, and there's never anything that stands in my way. I know that I'll eventually end up on top no matter what.
| Determined -If you know what you love then you'll be able to get it in the end | Unmotivated-Social class has nothing to do with internal class: money is not important. |
| Passionate-The love between a man and a woman will never die. | Brutish-Sex is nothing more than an animalistic urge. |
Blanche DuBois
1. How do I (the character) feel about my world?
a. The world is for the socially elite. As long as one has some semblance of dignity and one can truly maintain your reputation, the world will be fine. Social class is of utmost importance, along with every aspect of class. The money, appearance, and knowledge of the upper classes should not be ignored and I must make sure that I can continue my reputation as a lady; I know that everyone will respect me and take care of me. At this point in my life I don't exactly know where I can turn; my family connections are dead or in poverty and my estate is ruined. I have had my weak moments in the past, but I know that I am still a woman to be respected and treated daintily and nothing can change that.
2. How do I feel about my relationships?
a. As far as men are concerned, they should pay attention to me and provide for me simply because of who I am and where I came from. I love Stella and I only want the best for her, but I'm still angry that she left Belle Reve. Stanley is low class and Stella deserves better. Even so, I want to know what makes him tick. Mitch is sweet, but will never be any more than just a friend. He lacks the true qualities of a gentleman. Shep Huntleigh, on the other hand, is everything that I ever dreamed that he would be, and if I can make sure that he is my husband, then we can live the perfect life together.
3. How do I feel about myself?
a. I am sweet and sensitive and I always want to put my best foot forward. I can only hope that people feel the same about me, and I hope that my social standing will remain constant throughout the rest of my life.
4. How do I feel about my prospects?
a. At this point, prospects do not look so promising. My husband has committed suicide and I must now live with my freshly impoverished sister. As soon as I can find a husband who can provide for me I will be able to live the rest of my life comfortably.
| Naïve-If you appear to be innocent and naïve, no one will question you. | Untrue-Living in lies will end your reputation. |
| Innocent: Women should not give in to their desires. | Guilty: Once women have given in to their desires, the attempts to cover them up will be futile. |
| Hopeful: It is still possible to live in the past. | Desperate: Once you have crossed certain boundaries, there is no going back. |
| Beautiful-The art of being a southern belle will bring me a future. | Ashamed and Disheveled- Southern gentility is dead. |
Stella Kowalski
1. How do I (the character) feel about my world?
a. I used to live in the Laurel, Mississippi on a grand estate, but now I essentially live in the slums of New Orleans. I know this life isn't what was supposed to happen to me, but I don't mind it at all. I'm madly in love with Stanley and I know, no matter what he does, that he loves me back. It annoys me that Blanche feels that she can judge my life based on what she thinks I should be. I am perfectly fine where I am.
2. How do I feel about my relationships?
a. Stanley is the most important person in my life. I don't like being out of his presence for a second and I feel horrible when he's not with me. Blanche is my sister and of course I love her, but she needs to figure out what's going on in her life and not judge me.
3. How do I feel about myself?
a. I feel like I'm doing all right with my life as of right now. I couldn't move away from here even if I needed to. I love Stanley and I need to be with him and I'm carrying his child, so there's no way that I could leave this alone.
4. How do I feel about my prospects?
a. Stanley is going places. He knows that he's going to be somebody important and I believe him wholeheartedly. I'll be there for him when he becomes successful.
| Imagination-Living the dream is possible. | Determination- Reality is difficult but you must learn to live with it. |
| Floating-Devotion is given to the person who loves me the most. | Loyalty-I must support everything that Stanley stands for. |