• Blog – Stella is remarkably sad at the end of the play because of what happens to Blanch. Was she right in doing what she has done?
In the last scene in the play Stella is seen packing Blanche’s bags. Stella has arranged for Blanche to go to the state institution. What makes this so hard for Stella is that Blanche does not want to go and she tries to fight off the doctor who was sent to pick her up. In Banche’s final attempt to escape she tells them that she has forgotten something. At that moment Stanley turns off the lantern’s bulb, which symbolizes Blanche’s desire to live in a world of semi-illusion. “You left nothing here but split talcum and old empty perfume bottles – unless it’s the paper lantern you want to take with you. You want the lantern?” The light has always symbolized Blanche; ever since the moth reference at the beginning of the play. “Tearing it off the light bulb, and extends it towards her. She cries out as if the lantern was herself.” (Pg. 140) Stella has tried to help her sister throughout the play but it has been to no avail. So in essence, sending Blanche to a state institution was Stella’s way of saying ‘I give up.’
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Streetcar Named Desire Blog 3
• Blog – What is revealed about Blanche in these chapters? Do these revelations come as a shock?
In scene six we learn of Blanche’s past. We learn that she feels that it is her duty to entertain the man and to make the man feel welcomed. We also learn that she was married to a young man named Allen. “It was like you suddenly turned a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me.” (Pg. 95) She compares a blinding light to her marriage and her love for Allen. This is why Blanche avoids lights, because she wants to hide her age and because the light gives her memories of her young husband.
In scene seven we learn about Blanche’s reputation in Laurel. “She moved to the Flamingo! A second class hotel…in fact they were so impressed by Dame Blanche that they requested her to turn in her room-key—for permanently!” (Pg. 99) This exhibits Blanche’s wild behavior. She was also forbidden by the nearby army camp and she was kicked from her job because of her relationship with the young boy.
In scene six we learn of Blanche’s past. We learn that she feels that it is her duty to entertain the man and to make the man feel welcomed. We also learn that she was married to a young man named Allen. “It was like you suddenly turned a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me.” (Pg. 95) She compares a blinding light to her marriage and her love for Allen. This is why Blanche avoids lights, because she wants to hide her age and because the light gives her memories of her young husband.
In scene seven we learn about Blanche’s reputation in Laurel. “She moved to the Flamingo! A second class hotel…in fact they were so impressed by Dame Blanche that they requested her to turn in her room-key—for permanently!” (Pg. 99) This exhibits Blanche’s wild behavior. She was also forbidden by the nearby army camp and she was kicked from her job because of her relationship with the young boy.
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Streetcar Named Desire Blog 2
• Blog – Why does Blanche disapprove of Stanley?
In scenes four and five Blanche finds out Stanley’s true nature. She disapproves of him because his “normality” is when he is angry. This is shown when he takes a slipper and smashes a light to turn it off; this is Stanley’s idea of a romantic atmosphere. “What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire! – the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter, up the old narrow street and down another…” (Pg. 70) During these scenes she cannot explain why her sister could stand for such behavior. She tries to make her sister she Stanley’s beastly attitude, but instead at the end of the scene Stella goes over to Stanley, which indicates Blanche has had no affect on her.
In scenes four and five Blanche finds out Stanley’s true nature. She disapproves of him because his “normality” is when he is angry. This is shown when he takes a slipper and smashes a light to turn it off; this is Stanley’s idea of a romantic atmosphere. “What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire! – the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter, up the old narrow street and down another…” (Pg. 70) During these scenes she cannot explain why her sister could stand for such behavior. She tries to make her sister she Stanley’s beastly attitude, but instead at the end of the scene Stella goes over to Stanley, which indicates Blanche has had no affect on her.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A Streetcar Named Desire Blog 1
• Blog – Explain something a character does in Scene 2-3 that teaches us something new about them, something we didn’t know in Scene 1?
From the opening scene into the second and third scenes we see and learn more about each character’s personalities. One character that really pops out is Stanley. Early in the play it almost seems as though Stanley is uninterested in Stella, his wife. While she tried to talk to him Stanley focused on eating chips and was ignoring her. However, at the end of the third scene Stanley shows his affection towards Stella because he does not want to go to bed without her. “I want my baby down here. Stella, Stella!” (Pg. 59) Although he was mad at Stella earlier in the play he now shows us that he can be affectionate. Another trait of Stanley is his brutality. In the first scene he comes in holding raw meat. His clothes are loud and his language is crude. In the second scene we learn that his outside pleasures are bowling and poker. We get a sense of Stanley’s demanding personality when he is losing at poker, yet we also see his happy side when he is winning. This makes Stanley a very fascinating and interesting character.
From the opening scene into the second and third scenes we see and learn more about each character’s personalities. One character that really pops out is Stanley. Early in the play it almost seems as though Stanley is uninterested in Stella, his wife. While she tried to talk to him Stanley focused on eating chips and was ignoring her. However, at the end of the third scene Stanley shows his affection towards Stella because he does not want to go to bed without her. “I want my baby down here. Stella, Stella!” (Pg. 59) Although he was mad at Stella earlier in the play he now shows us that he can be affectionate. Another trait of Stanley is his brutality. In the first scene he comes in holding raw meat. His clothes are loud and his language is crude. In the second scene we learn that his outside pleasures are bowling and poker. We get a sense of Stanley’s demanding personality when he is losing at poker, yet we also see his happy side when he is winning. This makes Stanley a very fascinating and interesting character.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Death of a Salesman Blog 9
• Blog – What are your initial thoughts for this essay?
Both Norma and Willy have dreams that don’t come true. For Willy he knows that he is a failure yet he tries to make his life better with re-creating memories. Norma never thinks that her dream has died because no one tells her. In connection with Langston Hughes’s poem, Harlem, he is asking questions about dreams. The two characters, Willy and Norma’s dreams connect with this poem because both dreams are gone and Hughes is asking what happens to a dream deferred. I think that both texts are telling us that people who let themselves think their dream is true, end up unhappy. Since both characters are similar it is easy to see how others play a role in others dreams.
Both Norma and Willy have dreams that don’t come true. For Willy he knows that he is a failure yet he tries to make his life better with re-creating memories. Norma never thinks that her dream has died because no one tells her. In connection with Langston Hughes’s poem, Harlem, he is asking questions about dreams. The two characters, Willy and Norma’s dreams connect with this poem because both dreams are gone and Hughes is asking what happens to a dream deferred. I think that both texts are telling us that people who let themselves think their dream is true, end up unhappy. Since both characters are similar it is easy to see how others play a role in others dreams.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Death of a Salesman Blog 8
Blog – Compare Willy to Norma Desmond.
Willy and Norma Desmond are quite similar characters. First off, they both believe that to be successful you need to be popular. In the movie this is evident when Norma receives all the fan letters and shows them to Joe. Later on in the movie however, we realize that it is the butler who is sending all of the “fan letters”. He does this because he knows that she will go crazy if she knows that everyone has forgotten her. Norma also believes that she is still a big famous movie star, but if that were true her house would not look like it does. The outside of the house makes it look as though it were abandoned. Norma is in a way still living in the past. In the play, Death of a Salesman, Willy also lives in the past. He creates or re-creates memories for himself. He has gone crazy because he cannot distinguish the present from the past - they are bleeding together.
Willy and Norma Desmond are quite similar characters. First off, they both believe that to be successful you need to be popular. In the movie this is evident when Norma receives all the fan letters and shows them to Joe. Later on in the movie however, we realize that it is the butler who is sending all of the “fan letters”. He does this because he knows that she will go crazy if she knows that everyone has forgotten her. Norma also believes that she is still a big famous movie star, but if that were true her house would not look like it does. The outside of the house makes it look as though it were abandoned. Norma is in a way still living in the past. In the play, Death of a Salesman, Willy also lives in the past. He creates or re-creates memories for himself. He has gone crazy because he cannot distinguish the present from the past - they are bleeding together.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Death of a Salesman Blog 7
Blog – Were Willy’s final actions noble, or were they a sign of weakness?
Near the end of the book both Willy and Biff struggle with their emotions and their inability to reconcile. Biff realizes that he has been reinventing facts just like Willy. His realization is significant because once he verbalizes it to Willy, Linda, and Happy he separates himself from them. Biff refuses to participate in the charade any longer. He chooses to accept himself on his own terms, not the way Willy imagines or desires him to be. Biff is able to see beyond their shortsightedness because he realizes that denying reality is more dangerous and costly in the long run. This is exactly the trap Willy is caught in.
In the last scene Willy finally achieves a sense of peace and order because he knows Biff loves him. This is because in the previous scene Biff breaks down and cries while he and Willy are talking. Willy has finally received the attention and respect that he had desired for throughout the entire book. However, Willy still tries to manipulate reality. Biff’s reaction compels Willy to create an even more desirable future. He believes that he can make Biff love him more by leaving the insurance money to him. This is when Ben convinces Willy to commit suicide. This is when Willy drives away and the book ends. To me, Willy’s final actions are another sign of weakness because even though he received what he wanted throughout the book he still wanted to manipulate reality. He thinks that committing suicide is the right thing to do, but he has thought that about all of his other previous actions. That is why his final actions were a sign of weakness.
Near the end of the book both Willy and Biff struggle with their emotions and their inability to reconcile. Biff realizes that he has been reinventing facts just like Willy. His realization is significant because once he verbalizes it to Willy, Linda, and Happy he separates himself from them. Biff refuses to participate in the charade any longer. He chooses to accept himself on his own terms, not the way Willy imagines or desires him to be. Biff is able to see beyond their shortsightedness because he realizes that denying reality is more dangerous and costly in the long run. This is exactly the trap Willy is caught in.
In the last scene Willy finally achieves a sense of peace and order because he knows Biff loves him. This is because in the previous scene Biff breaks down and cries while he and Willy are talking. Willy has finally received the attention and respect that he had desired for throughout the entire book. However, Willy still tries to manipulate reality. Biff’s reaction compels Willy to create an even more desirable future. He believes that he can make Biff love him more by leaving the insurance money to him. This is when Ben convinces Willy to commit suicide. This is when Willy drives away and the book ends. To me, Willy’s final actions are another sign of weakness because even though he received what he wanted throughout the book he still wanted to manipulate reality. He thinks that committing suicide is the right thing to do, but he has thought that about all of his other previous actions. That is why his final actions were a sign of weakness.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Death of a Salesman Blog 6
• Blog – What happens to Biff and Willy’s relationship after Biff goes to the hotel?
At this point in the book Willy is finally forced to confront the point of disorder in his life. Willy has always exaggerated events to become well liked. Willy tries to blame his behavior on loneliness, but it is the result of his need for attention. “She’s nothing to me, Biff. I was lonely, I was terribly lonely.” (Pg. 120) Willy was about to go and talk to Biff’s math teacher about why Biff flunked the class, when Biff comes to the hotel he discovers that Willy has given a pair of mother’s stockings to another women. This is when Biff discovers that his father is not perfect, and even worse, that he is a traitor to his mother. Once he discovers this he loses all respect for Willy. He realizes that everything Willy said to him means nothing. His father’s affair negates all of Willy’s tales of greatness that has motivated Biff up to this point. So, as a result, Willy is responsible for Biff’s downward spiral. His father has ruined his life because now Biff possesses no fait in his father or in himself. Their relationship has come to an end; Biff now doesn’t want Willy for anything. “You fake! You phony little fake! You fake!” (Pg. 121)
At this point in the book Willy is finally forced to confront the point of disorder in his life. Willy has always exaggerated events to become well liked. Willy tries to blame his behavior on loneliness, but it is the result of his need for attention. “She’s nothing to me, Biff. I was lonely, I was terribly lonely.” (Pg. 120) Willy was about to go and talk to Biff’s math teacher about why Biff flunked the class, when Biff comes to the hotel he discovers that Willy has given a pair of mother’s stockings to another women. This is when Biff discovers that his father is not perfect, and even worse, that he is a traitor to his mother. Once he discovers this he loses all respect for Willy. He realizes that everything Willy said to him means nothing. His father’s affair negates all of Willy’s tales of greatness that has motivated Biff up to this point. So, as a result, Willy is responsible for Biff’s downward spiral. His father has ruined his life because now Biff possesses no fait in his father or in himself. Their relationship has come to an end; Biff now doesn’t want Willy for anything. “You fake! You phony little fake! You fake!” (Pg. 121)
Death of A Salesman Blog 5
Blog – Do you think Willy made the right decision to refuse Charlie’s help?
Charlie offers Willy a job, but Willy refuses repeatedly. Charlie is offended and becomes angry; however, he gives Willy the money. Then Willy reveals to Charlie that Howard fired him. This prompts Charlie to attempt to give Willy the job again, but Willy refuses. Willy remarks that an individual is “worth more dead than alive.” (Pg. 98) Pride causes Willy to lose his chance of starting his life over with a new job. This also happened earlier in the book when Ben offered him a job in Alaska. Willy turned that offer down because he wanted to prove that he could do just as well in Brooklyn. The reason Willy turns Charlie down is because he is jealous of the fact that Charlie owns his own business. I don’t think Willy made the right decision to refuse Charlie’s help because he already refused Ben’s before and he ended up being fired from his job.
Charlie offers Willy a job, but Willy refuses repeatedly. Charlie is offended and becomes angry; however, he gives Willy the money. Then Willy reveals to Charlie that Howard fired him. This prompts Charlie to attempt to give Willy the job again, but Willy refuses. Willy remarks that an individual is “worth more dead than alive.” (Pg. 98) Pride causes Willy to lose his chance of starting his life over with a new job. This also happened earlier in the book when Ben offered him a job in Alaska. Willy turned that offer down because he wanted to prove that he could do just as well in Brooklyn. The reason Willy turns Charlie down is because he is jealous of the fact that Charlie owns his own business. I don’t think Willy made the right decision to refuse Charlie’s help because he already refused Ben’s before and he ended up being fired from his job.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Death of A Salesman Blog 4
• Blog – Was Ben a positive or negative influence on Willy? What does Linda think?
Willy looks up to Ben. Ben has always been successful, so he is the natural choice for advice. Willy wants Ben to analyze the current situation and tell him what to do. “Ben, am I right? Don’t you think I’m right? I value your advice.” (Pg. 87) Instead, Ben offers Willy a job in Alaska-the same offer he made to him when he actually visited in the past-but now Willy can no longer separate the past from the present; they are bleeding together. However, Linda scolds Ben for putting ideas of Alaska in Willy’s head. Because of this Linda reminds Willy of his promising future as a salesman and refuses the offer. However, since Willy has been fired, he is overwhelmed by his feelings; regret, for not accepting Ben’s offer and going to Alaska, and shame, for losing his job.
Willy looks up to Ben. Ben has always been successful, so he is the natural choice for advice. Willy wants Ben to analyze the current situation and tell him what to do. “Ben, am I right? Don’t you think I’m right? I value your advice.” (Pg. 87) Instead, Ben offers Willy a job in Alaska-the same offer he made to him when he actually visited in the past-but now Willy can no longer separate the past from the present; they are bleeding together. However, Linda scolds Ben for putting ideas of Alaska in Willy’s head. Because of this Linda reminds Willy of his promising future as a salesman and refuses the offer. However, since Willy has been fired, he is overwhelmed by his feelings; regret, for not accepting Ben’s offer and going to Alaska, and shame, for losing his job.
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