Thursday, July 28, 2011

Rafaella Gunz

The ending of this book really surprised me. I honestly did not expect this book to have such a dark ending. I feel there's so much left unknown about Blanche, so much I'd be interested in knowing. This book was unexpected in other ways as well. I didn't expect Stanley to rape Blanche and I would never suspect Stella to turn on Blanche like she did. It was harsh sending her to a mental hospital. I don't believe she was mental, just troubled because of her past experiences. I feel if this story took place today, Blanche would be seen as normal and would probably just go to therapy. Maybe because it was set in a different time, people considered her to be crazy.

-Rafaella Gunz

Monday, July 25, 2011

Jessica Gubankova

Journal 1: A Streetcar Named Desire
As I start to read A Streetcar Named Desire, it doesn’t seem to draw me in. It starts randomly in a town in New Orleans, and some guy named Stanley throws meat at his wife Stella. Then as Stella and Stanley leave to go play bowling, a woman by the name of Blanche, who is Stella’s sister, is introduced. Blanches character seems very debonair to me, and she seems very stuck up; I feel this way because of the way that she analyzes where Stella lives.
Something else that throws me off about this book is the cover. The man on the cover I’m guessing is Stanley and he seems handsome, but the way he’s portrayed in the play makes him seem otherwise. Also the name “A Streetcar Named Desire” doesn’t make sense to me really which makes the book seem “off” to me but of course I’m not going to judge a book by its cover.
Now that I’ve passed scene two the book seems to make a bit more sense to me. Scene two is actually one of my favorite scenes so far because Stanley starts to show some true colors by questioning if Blanche really did lose Belle Reve, and why she would even lose it. I like this part of the book because this also makes me question Blanche’s character, and why she really is visiting Stella.

Journal 2: A Streetcar Named Desire
I have just read scene five and all that I have to say is WOW! I didn’t expect to just be drawn into this book the way that I have. So in scene three, what definitely made my jaw drop is when Stanley abuses Stella, his wife. What’s even more shocking to me is that she’s pregnant!! And also Stella goes back to Stanley after what he has done to her.
In scene four Blanche is expressing her opinion about Stanley to Stella. What I like about this scene is that Stella, although she blatantly defends her husband she doesn’t really seem to deny what Blanche is saying about Stanley. Also in this scene you get a little sense of Blanche’s craziness.
Scene five for me was really funny because Blanche is so random! So she’s going out on a date with Mitch and that makes her really nervous, but then she kisses some random guy. I really think she’s crazy and it just drives me mad as to how crazy she is. She still seems very debonair to me though,

Journal 3: A Streetcar Named Desire
I just finished the play and I absolutely loved it!! When I first started it I was very hesitant. Then once I got to the middle of the play I fell in love with it. I was a little confused by the last two scenes but then I completely understood what happens.
Two big things can be assessed in the last two scenes. In scene ten Blanche is drinking a lot after Mitch has told her off, because of her past. Stanley walks in as well and both of them start to drink. When I read this part, I definitely knew that trouble would come, because bad things always happen when someone is too drunk. In the last part of the scene Stanley attacks Blanche and rapes her. I was very surprised because I definitely didn’t expect the play to take such a turn. I think that Stanley rapes Blanche because the whole time that she’s been there she has made him realize what type of a scum he is, so he feels insecure about himself.
In the final scene of the play, I feel like Stella betrayed her sister because she sends her away to a mental institution. I think Blanche feels betrayed because Stella is her sister and should always be there with her, but instead Stanley fed Stella lies which made her believe that Stanley really didn’t do anything to Blanche but she was just making it up. The ending kind of made me mad because I actually had a lot of sympathy for Blanche, and felt that the only thing she needed was a chance.

Monday, July 18, 2011

I am really starting to enjoy this book. Blanche seems to be a very dynamic character. Though I don't understand her completely yet, I am noticing more things about her. She seems to be quite a flirt. At first she seemed to be flirting with Stanley as well as the young man that came to the door. But overall, she went on a date with Mitch and seems smitten by him. I feel Blanche and Mitch would be a good match, but I feel there is more to learn about both of the characters. Also, my opinion on Stanley is changing a great deal. At first, I thought he was a hard-working, decent man. But now I see that he is physically abusive towards Stella. I do not think their relationship will last. Though she forgave him, I have a feeling he will try to hurt her again. I am very interested to see how the story turns out.

- Rafaella Gunz
Max Katzman July, 7th 2011
AP Literature


Reading Journal #1

Early into Scene 1, we begin to realize the many negative characteristics and qualities that Blanche displays. One of these is her hidden alcoholic tendency. Not long after she enters her sister’s home, she 'finds' a bottle of whiskey and pours herself some, attempting to be discrete. She cautiously replaces the bottle in its original place and washes the tumbler, so that no one is aware that it was ever in her possession. Very soon after, when she is reunited with her sister Stella, she says, “Open your pretty mouth and talk while I look around for some liquor!” It is here clearly evident that Blanche has a sense of dishonesty, as she already knows the location of the liquor while questioning her sister's knowledge of its whereabouts. She responds with enthusiasm and surprise when finding it, in stating, “I spy, I spy” as if she again did not know its original location. Stella questions if Blanche would like another drink, and she responds by stating the untrue answer, “No, one's my limit”
I have conflicting views of Blanche's characteristics and personality at this point of the play. Initially I am under the impression that Blanche is a debutante in nature as described by Tennessee Williams as “daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district” I feel as though the imagery that is initially portraying Blanche is shadowing a darker, bleak, and hedonistic individual who indulges in repetitive self destructive behaviours.

Reading Journal #2

Near the closing of Scene 5, we once again encounter yet another peculiar characteristic that Blanche displays. A young newspaperman arrives at the Kowalski's doorstep collecting money for the newspaper. Blanche is extremely suggestive and flirtatious with him stating that he makes her mouth water while touching his cheek. Needless to say this is the first time she has ever met the man, who is obviously significantly younger than she, but is reacting and responding to him in a very inappropriate manner. She is very complementary of the young man's appearance comparing him to a Prince. She conveys to him her urge to kiss him softly on the lips, without waiting for his approval and without any warning she proceeds to act on her intention.

I am troubled with this portion of the play. Blanche's continued inappropriate actions set a very disturbing atmosphere. From this point on, I foresee only negative outcomes of her improper behaviour. I am left with a sickened feeling in my stomach as Blanche clearly expresses feelings for Mitch, however she requires attention from more than one man, to quench her sexual thirst.

Reading Journal #3



Near the end of the play, both Blanche and Stanley again have consumed alcohol excessively. This occurs during Stella's stay in the hospital, awaiting the birth of her first child. Stanley rapes Blanche and whether it be used as a means of denial, escape or rationalization both he and Stella have Blanche committed to a mental institution at the end of play. I again was deeply disturbed in the direction and format of this play. I found the ending to be quite horrific and grotesque in nature in that the play ended on such a sad and gloomy note. We are not told whether or not Stella is aware of her husband’s actions with Blanche, and if she ever knew the truth behind why her sister exhibited all of these very peculiar attributes. It seemed to me throughout the play that Blanche never really had a fair chance, and was subjected to a lifestyle of horrific circumstances (i.e. the suicide of her closet homosexual spouse). I found this play to be extremely depressive. There was never a point throughout the play of optimism, happiness, or joy. Although one may be critical of a play of such gloomy and distraught nature, I thoroughly enjoyed the dramatic and unpredictable events that occurred.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Rafaella Gunz- Streetcar Named Desire #1

People always say don't judge a book by it's cover. When I first received "A Streetcar Named Desire," the cover completely threw me off. Since the man on it is shirtless and is quite muscular, I figured the book would be about a boxer or something of that sort. However, when I started to read it, I soon learned it was nothing of the kind.
The play, I suppose like anything, has it's dull moments in my opinion. Though in my mind, I am very curious about the character of Blanche. There seems to be something a little bit off about her. It seems like something traumatizing must have happened to her that brought her to Stella's house. Perhaps something to do with her husband's death. She also seems to carry a bit of animosity toward Stanley for some reason. She has yet to reveal too much about herself, but I look forward to learning more about her as well as the other characters.