Category: CLOSED Hodge – Character & Dramatic Action

 Here is our final post for Dramatic Action and Character by Hannah, Camden and Sloane

 

DRAMATIC ACTION: A Streetcar Named Desire

 

Inciting incident- Blanche's arrival

 

Scene 1:

Part 1: What a snob!: Blanche is shocked to see Stella's new life and she and Stella reconnect.

Part 2 (when Stanley enters): Be Comfortable: Stanley briefly questions Blanche about her past.

 

Scene 2:

Part 1: It's all in the Details: Stanley tries to get Stella to side with him over the idea that Blanche has swindled them.

Part 2 (When Blanche enters): Nothing to hide: Stanley confronts Blanche about Belle Reve.

 

Scene 3:

Part 1: Poker Face: Mitch explains how he's different and how he'll be alone when his mother dies while the men play poker.

Part 2 (When Blanche and Stella enter): Rose colored glass: Mitch and Blanche get acquainted while Stanley gets more annoyed by Mitch's absence from the game.

Part 3 (When he throws the radio through the window): Off again on again: Stanley's frustration gets the best of him then he repents.

 

Scene 4:

Part 1: Intentional misunderstanding: Blanche tries to convince Stella to leave Stanley, but Stella resists.

Part 2 (when Stanley enters scene to speak): Stanley deserves a hug: Stella demonstrates to Blanche her unconditional love of Stanley.

 

Scene 5:

Part 1: A beautiful day in the neighborhood: Blanche imagines an ideal neighborhood but is interrupted with reality.

Part 2 (after Steve exits): Gossip: Stanley eludes to things he's heard about Blanche's past and Blanche denies them.

Part 3 (after Stanley exits):  Wishful thinking: Stella reassures Blanche that her future will turn out all right.

Part 4 (after Stella exits): Dangerous liaisons: Blanche gives in to her desires in kissing a young man just before she goes on a date with Mitch.

 

Scene 6:

Part 1: Getting to know you (Blanche and Mitch): Blanche and Mitch come to the conclusion that they could be a couple.

 

Scene 7:

Part 1: The cat's out of the bag: Stanley reveals to Stella the truth about Blanche's past and plans to force her out of their lives. 

 

Scene 8:

Part 1: King of the house: Stanley asserts his power over both the women.

 

Scene 9:

Part 1: Turn on the light: Mitch admits he no longer has a desire to marry Blanche.

 

BD: BD wonders

M: M identifies

BD: BD forgives

M: M complains

BD: BD humors

M: M rejects

BD: BD defends

M: Mitch questions intent

BD: BD pretends

M: M expresses skepticism

BD: BD relaxes

M: M accuses

BD: BD chides

M: M admits

BD: BD delays

M: M implies

BD: BD boasts

M: M mocks

BD: BD flirts

M: M rebukes

BD: BD deflects

M: M realizes

BD: BD suspects

M: M assembles argument

BD: BD defends

M: M confronts

BD: BD fears

M: M highlights

BD: BD worries

M: M distinguishes

BD: BD reprimands

M: M specifies

BD: BD admits

M: M resents

BD: BD reproaches

M: M justifies

BD: BD discounts

M: M contends

BD: BD mocks

M: M demands

BD: BD gives in

M: M distills

BD: BD begs

MW: MW offers

BD: BD escapes

MW: MW provokes

BD: BD crumbles

BD: BD reflects

BD: BD pleads

M: M admits

BD: BD appeals

M: M resolves

BD: BD challenges

M: M reasons

BD: BD lashes out

 (There were a few short lines that had the same gist in this breakdown so we combined them. Only once or twice though.)

Scene 10:

Part 1: We've had this date from the beginning: Stanley forces Blanche to accept the reality she is living.

 

Scene 11:

Part 1: Taken: Everyone comes to an agreement that Blanche must go for their lives to become stable again.

 

 

CHARACTER:

 

Blanche:

Desire: To live a dream like life.

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: If no one knows it happened then it didn't.

Decorum: appearance is important, wears extravagant outfits, clean (bathes a lot), accessorizes, older, very feminine, proper speech, noticeably intoxicated sometimes, Blue jacket at beginning

Summary Adjectives: intense, on the verge of lunacy, nervous, hysterical, attractive, lovely, frazzled, fresh, adaptable, excitable, soft, morbid, sensitive, proper, alone, old-fashioned, anxious, solemn, nice, unlucky, deluded, cultivated, destitute, desperate, caught, wonderful, not respected, famous, refined, particular, flighty, refreshed, rested, tender, trusting, hoity-toity, empty, unfit, prim, a liar, name means "white woods," smoker, French, bohemian, fading, morbid

 

Stella:

Desire: To have normalcy in their home again.

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: The relationship between a husband and wife is the most important

Decorum: Pregnant, shabby, simple/plain appearance, visibly content

Summary Adjectives: dainty, precious, insane, good, quiet, child, baby, "little woman," matter of fact, indifferent

 

Stanley:

Desire: To have a relationship with Stella where nothing gets in their way of happiness

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: lives by the Napoleonic Code, friends tell friends the truth

Decorum: was in the military (built), very sexual/manly, comfortable, silk pajamas, sweaty and a little dirty, noticeably intoxicated sometimes, collared bowling shirt, in first scene his sweat makes it stick to him, Master sergeant in the engineers corps (salesman, he's on the road a lot)

Summary Adjectives: unrefined, simple, straightforward, honest, primitive, animal, ape-like, whelp, lamb, stinker, bestial, common, forceful, dynamic, rude, American, cruel, fantastic, lucky, Polish, €˜different species,' civilian, an ape

 

Mitch:

Desire: To not be alone

Will: Moderate

Moral Stance: relationships should be based on honesty

Decorum: 6' 1 1/2" 207 pounds, heavily built, perspires a lot, can't wear light weight clothes, Blanche calls him €˜Samson'

Summary Adjectives: Alone, superior, sensitive, doubtful, anxious, solemn, imposing, natural gentleman, sincere, uncavalier, uncouth, fantastic, realistic, lucky, kind

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Having completed our portions of analysis, dramatic action and character, we have come to the conclusion that this play is about the acceptance of reality. We go on a journey with the main characters throughout the play in which every one of them must accept reality to live in harmony. Up until Stanley and Mitch force Blanche to really look at reality, she has been living a dream like life. Her home is called Belle Reve (beautiful dream) and in scene nine she blatantly states: "I don't want realism, I want magic!" Which implies that she is being taken away from the magical life she desires to live. We see a battle inside Blanche throughout the whole production between a realistic life and a dream, but ultimately in the end when she agrees to leave the house with the gentlemen doctor, she is accepting her reality; maybe not consciously, but by leaving she is accepting her future.

The same type of journey is seen with Stella and Mitch as well. Mitch has this ultimate desire to not live alone, he is in need of a companion, but after scene nine we see a transformation in Mitch when he realizes that not just anyone can fill that desire (Blanche). He could marry her, she in no way stops him from moving in that direction but we see him come to terms with reality when he says "I don't think I want to marry you any more" to Blanche. He has let all of her foolishness and lies slide by until he realizes that he could not live with someone like her and accepts his reality that he must continue to live alone.

Stella is another example of acceptance. She spends the whole play trying to be a mediator between Blanche and Stanley when it is only making her unhappier. For her life to return to something bearable either Stanley or Blanche must leave, but because she loves Stanley so much, Blanche is the one who is forced to go. Stella, like Blanche, roughly accepts this reality in the last scene of the play. Stella struggles with it, but in the end she does not stop it from occurring. She must cleanse herself of Blanche so her and Stanley can go back to being normal and live the marriage they had been living until Blanche showed up.

Stanley serves as a realistic ground throughout the play because he does not let Blanche put anything in front of his eyes. He sees through everything she has said and does and in a sense continually forces the play back down to reality. When he comes in, it is all business. There is no dream, there is no reason to appeal to both parties, life is what it is and Stanley knows that living in a dream is not going to change reality. He is the most continually realistic character throughout the play and sends the driving force of realism through his actions and desires.

All of the dramatic action leads up to these characters accepting reality and tossing out a life of dreams. It is their resistance from reality that drives the play, but their acceptance of reality that resolves it.

 

 

 

So here’s what i have in terms of our conclusion through our analysis. Please edit it, because i know some things need to be changed and then i’ll post our final product! thanks ya’ll!

Having completed our portions of analysis, dramatic action and character, we have come to the conclusion that this play is about the acceptance of reality. We go on a journey with the main characters throughout the play in which every one of them must accept reality to live in harmony. Up until Stanley and Mitch force Blanche to really look at reality, she has been living a dream like life. Her home is called Belle Reve (beautiful dream) and in scene nine she blatantly states: "I don't want realism, I want magic!" Which implies that she is being taken away from the magical life she desires to live. We see a battle inside Blanche throughout the whole production between a realistic life and a dream, but ultimately in the end when she agrees to leave the house with the gentlemen doctor, she is accepting her reality; maybe not consciously, but by leaving she is accepting her future.

The same type of journey is seen with Stella and Mitch as well. Mitch has this ultimate desire to not live alone, he is in need of a companion, but after scene nine we see a transformation in Mitch when he realizes that not just anyone can fill that desire (Blanche). He could marry her, she in no way stops him from moving in that direction but we see him come to terms with reality when he says "I don't think I want to marry you any more" to Blanche. He has let all of her foolishness and lies slide by until he realizes that he could not live with someone like her and accepts his reality that he must continue to live alone.

Stella is another example of acceptance. She spends the whole play trying to be a mediator between Blanche and Stanley when it is only making her unhappier. For her life to return to something bearable either Stanley or Blanche must leave, but because she loves Stanley so much, Blanche is the one who is forced to go. Stella, like Blanche, roughly accepts this reality in the last scene of the play. Stella struggles with it, but in the end she does not stop it from occurring. She must cleanse herself of Blanche so her and Stanley can go back to being normal and live the marriage they had been living until Blanche showed up.

Stanley serves as a realistic ground throughout the play because he does not let Blanche put anything in front of his eyes. He sees through everything she has said and does and in a sense continually forces the play back down to reality. When he comes in it is all business. There is no dream, there is no reason to appeal to both parties, life is what it is and Stanley knows that living in a dream is not going to change reality. He is the most continually realistic character throughout the play and sends the driving force of realism through his actions and desires.

All of the dramatic action leads up to these characters accepting reality and tossing out a life of dreams. It is their resistance from reality that drives the play, but their acceptance of reality that resolves it. 

Here’s what we came up with from our meeting on dramatic action. Please review and post any other additions or comments.Inciting incident- Blanche's arrivalScene 1: Part 1: What a snob!: Blanche is shocked to see Stella's new life and she and Stella reconnect. Part 2 (when Stanley enters): Be Comfortable: Stanley briefly questions Blanche about her past.Scene 2: Part 1: It's all in the Details: Stanley tries to get Stella to side with him over the idea that Blanche has swindled them. Part 2 (When Blanche enters): Nothing to hide: Stanley confronts Blanche about Belle Reve.Scene 3: Part 1: Poker Face: Mitch explains how he's different and how he'll be alone when his mother dies while the men play poker. Part 2 (When Blanche and Stella enter): Rose colored glass: Mitch and Blanche get acquainted while Stanley gets more annoyed by Mitch's absence from the game. Part 3 (When he throws the radio through the window): Off again on again: Stanley's frustration gets the best of him then he repents.Scene 4: Part 1: Intentional misunderstanding: Blanche tries to convince Stella to leave Stanley, but Stella resists. Part 2 (when Stanley enters scene to speak): Stanley deserves a hug: Stella demonstrates to Blanche her unconditional love of Stanley.Scene 5: Part 1: A beautiful day in the neighborhood: Blanche imagines an ideal neighborhood but is interrupted with reality. Part 2 (after Steve exits): Gossip: Stanley eludes to things he's heard about Blanche's past and Blanche denies them. Part 3 (after Stanley exits):  Wishful thinking: Stella reassures Blanche that her future will turn out alright. Part 4 (after Stella exits): Dangerous liaisons: Blanche gives in to her desires in kissing a young man just before she goes on a date with Mitch.Scene 6: Part 1: Getting to know you (Blanche and Mitch): Blanche and Mitch come to the conclusion that they could be a couple.Scene 7: Part 1: The cat's out of the bag: Stanley reveals to Stella the truth about Blanche's past and plans to force her out of their lives.Scene 8: Part 1: King of the house: Stanley asserts his power over both the women.Scene 9: Part 1: Turn on the light: Mitch admits he no longer has a desire to marry Blanche.BD: BD wondersM: M identifiesBD: BD forgivesM: M complainsBD: BD humorsM: M rejectsBD: BD defendsM: Mitch questions intentBD: BD pretendsM: M expresses skepticismBD: BD relaxesM: M accusesBD: BD chidesM: M admitsBD: BD delaysM: M impliesBD: BD boastsM: M mocksBD: BD flirtsM: M rebukesBD: BD deflectsM: M realizesBD: BD suspectsM: M assembles argumentBD: BD defendsM: M confrontsBD: BD fearsM: M highlightsBD: BD worriesM: M distinguishesBD: BD reprimandsM: M specifiesBD: BD admitsM: M resentsBD: BD reproachesM: M justifiesBD: BD discountsM: M contendsBD: BD mocksM: M demandsBD: BD gives inM: M distillsBD: BD begsMW: MW offersBD: BD escapesMW: MW provokesBD: BD crumblesBD: BD reflectsBD: BD pleadsM: M admitsBD: BD appealsM: M resolvesBD: BD challengesM: M reasonsBD: BD lashes outScene 10: Part 1: We've had this date from the beginning: Stanley forces Blanche to accept the reality she is living.Scene 11: Part 1: Taken: Everyone comes to an agreement that Blanche must go for their lives to become stable again.

so here’s what we’ve come up with after meeting about character:

Blanche:

Desire: To live a dream-like life.

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: If no one knows it happened then it didn't.

Decorum: appearance is important, wears extravagant outfits, clean (bathes a lot), accessorizes, older, very feminine, proper speech, noticeably intoxicated sometimes

Summary Adjectives: intense, on the verge of lunacy, nervous, hysterical, attractive, lovely, frazzled, fresh, adaptable, excitable, soft, morbid, sensitive, proper, alone, old-fashioned, anxious, solemn, nice, unlucky, deluded, cultivated, destitute, desperate, caught, wonderful, not respected, famous, refined, particular, flighty, refreshed, rested, tender, trusting, hoity-toity, empty, unfit, prim, a liar, name means "white woods," smoker, French, bohemian, fading, morbid

Stella:

Desire: To have normalcy in their home again.

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: The relationship between a husband and wife is the most important

Decorum: Pregnant, shabby, simple/plain appearance, visibly content

Summary Adjectives: dainty, precious, insane, good, quiet, child, baby, "little woman," matter of fact, indifferent

Stanley:

Desire: To have a relationship with Stella where nothing gets in their way of happiness

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: lives by the Napoleonic Code, friends tell friends the truth

Decorum: was in the military (built), very sexual/manly, comfortable, silk pajamas, sweaty and a little dirty, noticeably intoxicated sometimes, collared bowling shirt, in first scene his sweat makes it stick to him, Master sergeant in the engineers corps (salesman, he's on the road a lot)

Summary Adjectives: unrefined, simple, straightforward, honest, primitive, animal, ape-like, whelp, lamb, stinker, bestial, common, forceful, dynamic, rude, American, cruel, fantastic, lucky, Polish, €˜different species,' civilian, an ape

Mitch:

Desire: To not be alone

Will: Moderate

Moral Stance: relationships should be based on honesty

Decorum: 6' 1 1/2" 207 pounds, heavily built, perspires a lot, can't wear light weight clothes, Blanche calls him €˜Samson'

Summary Adjectives: Alone, superior, sensitive, doubtful, anxious, solemn, imposing, natural gentleman, sincere, uncavalier, uncouth, fantastic, realistic, lucky, kind

Hey Sloane, the next part is a line-by-line description of the action (not activity!). It could be something like: B begs, S denies. It’s the action in every line that drives the next action, I think. We also need a sentence summary of the action in the unit. I’ll post more when I have it.

Hey Hannah, i think this stuff looks great but i have a couple of things to add:

For Blanche i think we need to focus on her idea of magic versus reality, and how she wants reality to be magic therefore i came up with this desire:

Desire: for life to be magic "I don't want realism I want magic."

i struggled with her moral stance and here is another possibility for her i  think. She does a lot of things that she thinks she can get away with because no one saw her do them (like drink a lot). However, we know this is not true. so here is another option for a moral stance:

Moral Stance: If no one knows it happened then it didn't. 

Also suggestions for Stella, mostly just adding extra adjectives:

Desire: return to normalcy?

Adjectives: quiet, child, baby, "little woman"

And more adjectives for Stanley:

adjectives: Be comfortable

 

I’ll keep looking for more character stuff  but in the mean time, i don’t really understand how we’re supposed to do action for every line that is spoken. If you understand it could you give me a few examples and then i’ll roll with it?? thanks!

Hey guys, here is my initial break-down of character for Blanche, Stella, Stanley, and Mitch. I’m far from sure about a lot of these categories, so feel free to make changes. Also, I didn’t find many summary adjectives for Stella, so add more if you notice them!

Blanche:

Desire: To feel safe, secure, and attractive

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: A lady's job is to entertain gentlemen

Decorum: older than she wants to admit; gaudy/over-the-top outfits; overly concerned with appearance

Summary Adjectives: intense, on the verge of lunacy, nervous, hysterical, attractive, lovely, hot, frazzled, fresh, adaptable, excitable, soft, morbid, sensitive, proper, alone, old-fashioned, anxious, solemn, nice, unlucky, deluded, cultivated, destitute, desperate, caught, wonderful, not respected, famous, refined, particular, flighty, refreshed, rested, tender, trusting, hoity-toity, empty, unfit

Stella:

Desire: To be with Stanley

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: The relationship between a husband and wife is the most important

Decorum: pregnant, a little shabby according to Blanche

Summary Adjectives: dainty, precious, insane, good

Stanley:

Desire: To be the head of his own home

Will: Strong

Moral Stance: Napoleonic code; Friends tell friends the truth

Decorum: Military decorations, athletic

Summary Adjectives: unrefined, simple, straightforward, honest, primitive, animal, ape-like, whelp, lamb, stinker, bestial, common, forceful, dynamic, rude, American, cruel, fantastic, lucky

Mitch:

Desire: To not be alone

Will: Medium

Moral Stance: People in close relationships need to be "straight" with each other

Decorum: 6'1" and 207 pounds, working clothes, perspires a lot

 i don’t know why the format is so weird, but i can email to you all if it’s easier to read that way. let me know. This is just a start and needs to be changed i’m sure.

 

Inciting incident- Blanche's arrival

 

Scene 1:

Part 1: Blanche comes for a visit

2: Stanley meets Blanche

 

Scene 2:

Part 1: Let Blanche be

2: Once a liar always a liar

 

Scene 3:

Part 1: Poker Face

Part 2: Meet Mitch

Part 3: I want you back

 

Scene 4:

Part 1: Stanley is an Animal

Part 2 (when Stanley enters scene to speak): Stanley deserves a hug (?)

 

Scene 5:

Part 1: Eunice and Steve have a fight

Part 2 (after Steve exits): Gossip

Part 3 (after Stanley and Stella exit): Kissing the paper boy?

 

Scene 6:

Part 1: Getting to know you (Blanche and Mitch)

It is a scene full of actions and information. It might need to be broken down further but I'm not sure where.

 

Scene 7:

Part 1: The cat's out of the bag

 

Scene 8:

Part 1: King of the house

 

Scene 9:

Part 1: Turn on the light

 

Scene 10:

Part 1: We've had this date from the beginning

 

Scene 11:

Part 1: Taken

 

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