Blog Assignment #8

A Streetcar Named Desire scene - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1A0p0F_iH8

Theme - The movie both criticizes the traits of rudeness and over-honesty, while also demonstrating that those who have these qualities are oftentimes the ones who receive what they want in life. This theme is actively explained as the audience is left to determine for themselves who in the story represent the character types analyzed. Stanley, a coarse lower-class man, calls out for his wife Stella, who came from an upper-class background, after he feels remorseful for beating her. He acts obnoxiously and brutish, but is able to coax his wife back even though he hasn't learned any lesson.

In this scene, many actual lines are used, primarily curvelinear ones, at the top of the staircase where Stella has escaped from Stanley. Metaphorically, she has gone to a more rational, mannered place than the ground where Stanley is, and the soft quality of the lines emphasize these traits. Stanley's shoulders and face have sharp lines and contrast the curved lines at the top of the stairs. The contrast in direction of line between Stanley's shoulders and his torn tank top represent his torment in losing his wife.

The shape of the staircase is twisted into an almost helix-like shape, which uses more curved lines and represents the more cultured place to which Stella has gone. The shapes of Stella and Stanley also represent their respective classes, as Stanley is squarely shaped, suggesting his ruggedness, while Stella wears a dress that underscores her curved figure.

The main use of space in this scene is in the great distance between Stanley and the upper deck to which he is calling. He has acted brutishly and is far below the reason that the porch represents. This distance is suggested when he has to call Stella very loudly.

The lacy pattern of the shapes on the deck have a consistent visual rhythm, along with Stella's slow steps down the staircase and Stanley's slow jog at the very beginning of the scene.

The main movement in the scene comes from Stella, with her slow walk out of the apartment and down the stairs. Her slow, steady movements, along with her stopping at the top of the staircase before descending to meet Stanley, shows tension and release as one expects her to reach the bottom of the stairs, yet she delays these expectations.