Aim: Why does Blanche show interests in Mitch? Why can't Blanche understand the relationship between Stella and Stanley?

Do now: Journal #4

What's your opinion on the relationship between love or friendship and violence?

Procedures:

Step 1: Read Act I, Scene 3

After reading, do the following activities:

1. Draw a sketch of the setting of scene 3 based on the description in the stage directions
2. On page 51, when Stanley shouted to order Blanche to turn off the radio, stop reading for a second. Predict what could happen next. What could be Stella and Blanche's reaction?
3. How would you describe Mitch's personality?
4. Understand the reference:

Mitch owns a silver cigarette case given to him by a former lover. The inscription reads: "And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death." This quote, as Blanche recalls, comes from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43. . What significance do you think it has?

e.Why does Blanche lie about the reason of her saying with Stella?

5. What kind of teacher might be Blanche like? If she were teacher, do you think you would like her? Explain.
6. Who is the real blame for the brawl?
7. What different side of Stanley's personality have we seen in this scene?
8. On page 59, after the brawl, Stanley breaks into sobs. According to the stage direction on this page, what could the music of "Paper Doll" and "Blue Piano" sound like?
9. Comment on Stella's going back to Stanley after the violence.
10. What does it mean when Blanche at the end of scene 3 said:"There is so much-so much confusion the world…"? Why does she feel this way?

Homework Assignment:

Write a Blanche's soliloquy using the line by Blanche "There is so much-so much confusion in the world…" as the first sentence.