Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.Please wait while we process your payment
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
Please wait while we process your payment
By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy.
Don’t have an account? Subscribe now
Create Your Account
Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial
Already have an account? Log in
Your Email
Choose Your Plan
Individual
Group Discount
Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!
Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?
Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!
Price
$24.99 $18.74 /subscription + tax
Subtotal $37.48 + tax
Save 25% on 2-49 accounts
Save 30% on 50-99 accounts
Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.
Your Plan
Payment Details
Payment Summary
SparkNotes Plus
You'll be billed after your free trial ends.
7-Day Free Trial
Not Applicable
Renews December 17, 2023 December 10, 2023
Discounts (applied to next billing)
DUE NOW
US $0.00
SNPLUSROCKS20 | 20% Discount
This is not a valid promo code.
Discount Code (one code per order)
SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan - Group Discount
Qty: 00
SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.
Choose Your Plan
For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!
You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.
Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.
Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.
Please wait while we process your payment
Your PLUS subscription has expired
Please wait while we process your payment
Please wait while we process your payment
Blanche arrives at Stella’s home in a frantic state, telling her that she has lost their family home, Belle Reve, and blames Stella for running off to New Orleans to marry Stanley, which causes Stella to cry. Stanley returns home and agrees to host a poker night with his friends, Steve and Mitch. Stanley attempts to make small talk with Blanche, but when he asks about her husband, she says he died, and faints.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene One
While Blanche takes a bath, Stanley wonders whether Blanche swindled Stella, and him, out of their fortune, alluding to her seemingly expensive clothing. After sending Stella away to buy her a soda, Blanche shows Stanley the bill of sale and explains how they came to lose the inheritance. Stanley accidentally reveals that Stella is pregnant, which excites Blanche; she thinks the mixing of Stella and Stanley’s blood may save their family legacy.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Two
When Stella and Blanche return home the next evening, the men are playing poker, so they decide to chat in the bedroom, much to Stanley’s annoyance. Blanche turns the radio on and tries to flirt with Mitch, but they are interrupted when Stanley throws the radio away and gets into a physical altercation with Stella. The men stop Stanley and leave, and after Eunice refuses to let Stanley talk with Stella on the phone, he stumbles outside and yells out her name until she comes downstairs and embraces him.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Three
Blanche, horrified by Stanley’s behavior the previous night, begins to compose a telegram to a rich former suitor of hers named Shep Huntleigh to ask for money so they can leave, which Stella finds ridiculous. Unbeknownst to Blanche, Stanley overhears her speaking ill of his relationship with Stella. Stanley sneaks back into the apartment, is embraced by Stella, and grins knowingly at Blanche.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Four
Blanche and Stella overhear Steve and Eunice get into a fight after Eunice accuses Steve of cheating on her. Stanley returns to the apartment, and Blanche is disturbed when he mentions that an associate of his named Shaw shared information with him about her shady past. After Eunice and Steve make up, they follow Stella to the bar to meet with Stanley while Blanche worries about her upcoming date with Mitch.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Five
After their date, Blanche invites Mitch back to the Kowalski’s apartment for a nightcap. They talk about how Mitch met Stanley, Blanche’s age, and how Blanche’s husband committed suicide after she discovered him in bed with an older man. Mitch comforts her, telling her that they need one another.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Six
On Blanche’s birthday, Stanley tells Stella that he has learned about Blanche’s ruined reputation and felt it was his duty to tell Mitch. He goes on to say that he has bought Blanche a one-way ticket back to Laurel. When Blanche comes out of her bath, she asks Stella if something is wrong, but Stella assures her that everything is fine.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Seven
During Blanche’s birthday dinner, Stanley lashes out at her and Stella. Blanche, disappointed by Mitch’s absence, attempts to call him, but he does not answer and she angers Stanley further by insulting him. After Stanley gives Blanche her one-way ticket back to Laurel, Stella suddenly asks to be taken to the hospital.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Eight
Mitch confronts Blanche about her shady past, but she goes into hysterics while a polka song—the same one that was playing when her husband killed himself—plays in her head. Blanche, continuing to take shots of whiskey, reveals the truth behind the rumors about her, explaining how she had a relationship with a minor at the high school, which led to her inevitable downfall. The polka music in Blanche’s head fades away, and she throws Mitch out.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Nine
When Stanley returns home, drunk, he finds a dressed-up Blanche proclaiming she’s been invited to join Shep Huntleigh on a cruise. Stanley offers Blanche a drink in celebration of Stella giving birth and Blanche’s supposed reunion with her suitor, but Stella declines, instead continuing to talk about Shep and her experience with Mitch, which Stanley knows she is lying about. Blanche, increasingly nervous and feeling unsafe, tries to get away, but Stanley prevents her from leaving the apartment, and it is implied that he rapes her.
Read a full Summary & Analysis of Scene Ten
While Stanley and the men play poker and Blanche takes a bath, Eunice and Stella discuss the fact that Stella has chosen not to believe Blanche, and that doctors are coming to take Blanche away to receive mental help. Blanche believes that Shep is coming to pick her up, but when the doctors arrive instead she bursts into hysterics. Stella watches Blanche being taken away; Eunice hands Stella her baby, and Stanley comforts a tearful Stella.
Please wait while we process your payment