*NOTE: There are questions on two plays on this page. Choose only one question, about one play, to answer.

Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire
David Auburn: Proof

Directions: You are required to answer one of the main questions, which will appear in red. This question is due no later than Thursday, Apr. 16. Following the red questions will be other questions, in black, which you should read and think about--they may help you answer the main question. However, you are not required to answer these questions in writing.

Please answer the question as thoughtfully as possible, after reading the lecture. Then post your answer to the English 102 Message Board by the deadline.

Your responses to other students' answers are due by midnight on Saturday, Apr. 18. In order to get the full 20 points, you MUST respond thoughtfully to at least 3 or 4 other people's postings.

If you are registered in Section 7622, you'll use Message Board 1. Click on the button below to visit your Message Board:

English 102 Message Board 1

If you are registered in Section 7623, you'll use Message Board 2. Click on the button below to visit your Message Board:

English 102 Message Board 2

Remember: This discussion question is worth a possible 20 points. Late answers will receive 0 points. Points will be assigned according to the thoughtfulness of your answer, not by whether it is "right" or not, since sometimes there is no "right" answer. Just be sure your ideas are supported by the material in the play (see Lecture 1).

Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire Link

One of the conflicts that often arises in Williams' plays is the conflict between the sexual life force, and the forces of "civilization." Which character(s) represents which idea in this play? Which character(s) win? What do you think Williams is thus implying about life in the postwar 20th century?

  1. How is sex used to gain power in this play?
  2. Look at the description of the setting in the opening of the play. How does it reflect the themes of the play?
  3. How does the opening exchange between Stanley and Stella reflect their relationship?
  4. How does the opening description of Blanche reflect her position in the play? Her attitudes toward Stella and Stanley?
  5. How are the place names symbolic (and ironic)?
  6. How do we know from the start that something is wrong with Blanche?
  7. Blanche and Stella quarrel about Belle Reve, in Scene 1. What does this quarrel reveal about Stella's and Blanche's attitudes toward the past and the future? What does it reveal about Blanche's attitude toward reality?
  8. Stanley is described in Scene 1; are we supposed to like him? dislike him?
  9. Does Blanche need protection from Stanley? What are the dynamics of their relationship?
  10. What do Mitch and Blanche have in common?
  11. In Scene 3, Stella tells Blanche that Stanley is the "only one of his crowd that's likely to get anywhere." Why does she think this? Do you agree?
  12. Compare the two couples: Stanley and Stella, and Blanche and Mitch: which is the "winner" in this country?
  13. How do Stella and Blanche react differently to violence? How does this reflect the differences in them?
  14. Why does Stella stay with Stanley, even though he is physically abusive?
  15. In Scene 4, Blanche gives a passionate speech about what she hates in Stanley, and what he represents to her; it begins, "He acts like an animal, has an animal's habits!" Why is this the turning point of the play?
  16. Why does Blanche want Mitch? Is it just for financial security, or is there something else she wants, as well?
  17. What is the point of the episode with the Young Man, in Scene 5?
  18. What are Blanche's feelings about love? Marriage? Truth and reality? Illusion?
  19. In a powerful moment in Scene 6, Blanche tells Mitch about her first husband: how are light and music used to juxtapose reality and illusion in this scene?
  20. In Scene 9, Mitch confronts Blanche about her past. Why does the Mexican flower woman appear just then?
  21. Is the confrontation that takes place between Stanley and Blanche at the end of Scene 10 a rape? Why is it a turning point in the play?
  22. In Scene 11, we see that Stella has chosen between Blanche and Stanley. Who did she choose? Why? Does she know the truth?
  23. In Scene 11, Stanley tears the paper lantern off the lamp; how is this action symbolic?
  24. Blanche's last line in the play is famous: "Whoever you are--I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." How is this line ironic?

David Auburn, Proof Link

1. What is the significance of the play's title?

2. If you sympathize with Catherine, it is easy to dislike Claire. Is Claire justified in her thinking and actions?

3. Do you think it is necessary for Robert to appear in the play? Or would the play be stronger if his character didn't make an appearance?

  1. What is Catherine's frame of mind as the play opens?
  2. What does Catherine fear she has inherited from her father? How does this constrict her life?
  3. Was Robert happy during his episodes of mental illness?
  4. Why doesn't Catherine want Hal to take any of Robert's notebooks home?
  5. How does Catherine feel about her father at the beginning of the play?
  6. Why doesn't Catherine want Hal around?
  7. Why did Hal try to steal the notebook in Act I, Scene 1?
  8. What does Act I, Scene 2 reveal about the relationship between Catherine and Claire? Claire obviously thinks Catherine is mentally ill. How does she reveal this? Is Catherine mentally ill?
  9. Why does Catherine tell Hal the story of Sophie Germain?
  10. How does the relationship between Hal and Catherine begin to change in Act I, Scene 3?
  11. In Scene 4, Catherine and Claire seem to be getting along better. What does Claire say to change that?
  12. What does Catherine announce at the end of Act I?
  13. What is the function of Act II, Scene 1 in the play? In other words, why did the author include this flashback?
  14. What does this scene reveal about the relationship between Catherine and Robert?
  15. In Act II, Scene 2, does Claire believe that Catherine wrote the proof? Does Hal believe her?
  16. Does Catherine trust Hal with the proof?
  17. Why does Catherine feel so betrayed in this scene? How does she retaliate?
  18. In Act II, Scene 3, why won't Claire let Hal see Catherine?
  19. What is the purpose of Act II, Scene 4?
  20. Why did Hal change his mind about the authorship of the proof?
  21. Why isn't Catherine willing to take Hal's apology? What does she say, in Act II, Scene 5, about proof and trust?
  22. In the last lines of the play, how are Hal's lines about both the proof and their relationship?
  23. What is this play saying about the nature of relationships?