Describe Blanche, Stella and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. Masculinity is also presented by showing the nature of violent relationships in Elysian Fields revealing the constant power struggle between males and females. Mitchs masculinity is also revealed by his attempt to rape Blanche by saying What Ive been missing all summer and he also brings realism to Blanche by revealing that she is not clean enough to bring in the house with [his] mother. Thus, masculinity destroys Blanches hopes and illusions. It's a drive that he has. But what I am is a one hundred percent American, born and raised in the greatest country on earth and proud as hell of it, so dont ever call me a Polack." Therefore, Williams presents masculinity in A Streetcar Named Desire by revealing Stanleys violent and animalistic nature as well as his desire to dominate and control in a domestic relationship. Regardless, one thing is for sure villains form a hold on us and cause us to subconsciously react in inadvertent ways. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. This, of course, means that the villain, Stanley, has prevailed. In A Streetcar Named Desire, what does Blanche mean by "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers"? The play so poignantly comes to an ultimate end with an image of Stanley, Stella, and, the new baby the seamless American family in the 1940's, or so one might think. What is the significance of the title of A Streetcar Named Desire? Masculinity is further presented by Williams in A Streetcar Named Desire by highlighting the power struggle between the opposing sexes of male and female specifically in domestic relationships. (3.76) Stella's admiration of Stanley's vitality and virility is evident from the start. Stella thinks that Stanleys aggression is attractive and exciting, while Blanche is terrified by it. Williams presents masculinity in A Streetcar Named Desire by presenting the violent nature of Stanley in comparison to Blanche as well as how this naturally leads to the destruction of Blanche and symbolically the old south. Your online site for school work help and homework help. As a result, not surprisingly, Blanche becomes Stanley's target and force to beat for the remainder of the play. In response to her constant criticism of his ethnicity by calling him a "Polack," he speaks with scorn to Blanche: "I am not a Polack. Why does Stanley want Blanche to leave in A Streetcar Named Desire? Stanley talks to Stella about the family property that Blanche has lost. . "The stage directions say that sex is the center of Stanley's life. It looks to me like you . Blanche's desires have led her down paths of sexual promiscuity and alcoholism, and by coming to . What are the tensions between Blanche and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire? Blanche feels that Stanley is not worthy of being associated with the Du Bois name. Im gonna call the police revealing the violent nature of Steve revealing his masculinity. When Stanley attacks Stella it brings Blanche to near hysteria as she shouts shrilly and runs to the kitchen. They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six blocks and get off atElysian Fields! Those aggressive verbs reflect an animalistic nature which Stanley is associated with throughout the play. Why does Mitch hit Stanley at the end of the play. Latest answer posted February 02, 2020 at 12:43:08 PM. He realizes that Blanche is using his ethnic background as a way to discredit and insult him. With alcoholic and abusive tendencies towards his pregnant wife, Stanley, by no means, has the patience for Blanche that Stella has. She also uses a metaphor of bearing the raw meat home from the kill in the jungle! which further reveals his animalistic behavior as he is aggressive. Scene 1 Quotes Sit there and stare at me, thinking I let the place go? Below you will find the important quotes in A Streetcar Named Desire related to the theme of Masculinity and Physicality. "It isn't on his forehead and it isn't genius.". We assign a color and icon like this one to each theme, making it easy to track which themes apply to each quote below. Blanche finds this attractive in Mitch, which means her ideal man is a Southern gentleman, not a man like Stanley. Masculinity is finally presented as the reason for destruction, specifically Blanches downfall and the destruction of the Old South. The video really does a great job showcasing the rollercoaster ride of Stanley's moods charming and pleasant to aggressive and abusive, not to mention how the smallest push could be enough to completely set him off. What or whom does. I let the place go? The demanding tone and continuous interrogation that Blanche faces due to Stanleys masculinity leave her overwhelmed and she gives in to him as she touches her forehead and then hands him the entire box. When Stanley charges at Stella there is a sound of a blow and Stella cries out. The normal reality of domestic violence in Elysian Fields is further displayed by Steve and Eunices fight. "I wish you'd stop taking it for granted that I'm in something I want to get out of.". JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Rape scene quotes. Therefore, the violence and masculinity of Stanley brings realism to the play. Or at other times, we might never form an understanding as to the intentions and the motives of a villain. What Stanley says before the rape. Does the play condemn or condone Stanleys type of masculinity? Discuss the source of the animosity between Blanche and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. Such a violent and deplorable crime is the epitome of violence in the play and serves to reflect the objectification of women in the society, whilst simultaneously asserting the men's power over them. Blanche describes him as a survivor of the Stone-Age and ape-like revealing his primitive, uncivilized nature. Her appearance is incongruous to the setting. Society and Class. And I don't like to be swindled . Stanley does not like the way that Blanche refers to him and the inferiority with which she views him. He pins her inert figure; to the bed suggesting that she has been left powerless in the face of Stanleys masculinity evoking catharsis in the audience. (1.14) This is a fitting initial description of Blanche, since she does . All the need-to-know deets on Stanley Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Violence is the unfortunate outcome of the vitality of Stanley that Stella is so attracted to. That being said, meet Stanley Kowalski from Tennessee Williams' play, A Streetcar Named Desire: Exhibit A. In this play, masculinity means aggression, control, physical dominance, and even violence. Below is a video clip from the 1951 film, A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski, Vivien Leigh as Blanche, and, Kim Hunter as Stella. 9. The use of violence by Stanley against Stella reveals the masculine, abusive nature of Stanley in their domestic relationship. At times, we might even be able to relate, on some level, to villains or at least have an understanding from where it is that they are coming. ATTENTION: Help us feed and clothe children with your old homework! Over the course of the drama, Stanley understands what Blanche is trying to do. Ask questions, get answers, and discuss with others. In A Streetcar Named Desire,Stanley's resentment of Blanche is a significant part of his character. A Streetcar Named Desire Men and Masculinity. "I pulled you down off them columns and how you loved it". Stanley's reference to the dynamic set in motion at the beginning of the play identifies their coupling as the play's inevitable climax. She says to Stella that he is "not the type to go for jasmine perfume," and communicates that Stanley is of a lower or almost "bestial" element. In A Streetcar Named Desire, discuss the frustration and disillusionment of Blanche and Stanley. Log in here. Share Cite. Unlock . What is the significance of the street vendor at the end of scene 9 in A Streetcar Named Desire? What is the significance of the two poker games in A Streetcar Named Desire? . Stanley telling Stella how she loved coming down to his class. Blanche is arguably an expressionist character due to her overly exaggerated/ flowery dialogues; thus, she is theatrically isolated as well as powerless due to her femininity. However, Stanley's ability to do a complete 360-degree rotation and all of a sudden turn on the charm and win-over Stella, (no matter how aggressive he might be towards her), makes him a villain who, in my opinion, has the potential to be rather lovable. She moves in with her youngest sister and her husband because the landlord took the land away from Blanche because they could not pay for it anymore. The journey that Blanche describes making from the train station to the Kowalski apartment is an allegorical version of her life up to this point in time. Therefore, Stanley sees her as toxic, untrustworthy, and, he by no means, appreciates the fact that she constantly makes it apparent that she thinks that she is better than him and Stella; not to mention the fact that she consistently talks down to Stanley and openly labels him as being primitive, ape-like, and, bestial all while demeaning his Polish roots by calling him such offensive names as a "Polack." The rape removes all of Blanches fantasy as Stanley states There is nothing but goddam imagination. For example, we could, unintentionally, be so incredibly moved by the actions of a villain that we might actually grow to admire him or her, not necessarily because of his or her actions, but more so because of what he or she represents and the image that is produced. Stanley wants his wife to remain on his side and continue being the passive, supportive wife that she is to him. Stanley's aggressive actions towards Stella show that he did not view her as an equal but rather as property instead. The use of only exclamation marks and scripted non-fluency by Williams in Blanches description of Stanley reveals her fear and desperation which comes due to Stanleys aggressive masculinity. Regardless, Stanley Kowalski will always be a villain who, with the tiniest smile and faintest bat of the eye, could become an image of desire. Elysian Fields, the Kowalskis' street, is named for the land of the dead in Greek mythology. The play ends with Blanche falling into a state of extreme psychosis and delirium and, as a result, is taken away to a mental institution an executive decision unanimously made by the members of the household. In the Poker Night scene, Stanley stalks and charges at Stella and hits her. The hateful relationship between Stanley and Blanche is also very well-represented while he completely ignores her presence at the dinner table. Related Characters: Blanche DuBois (speaker), Stanley Kowalski, Stella Kowalski Related Themes: So I just got in the habit of being quiet around you. This contrast sets Stanley and Blanche as antagonist versus protagonist from the start of the play; a troupe of classic Aristotelian tragedy, highlighting the inevitable clash between the characters and the tragic ending of the play. The sheer animal force of antagonist Stanley Kowalski is partly responsible for the fame of A Streetcar Named Desire. 11. Stanley is drunk and aggressive with Blanche. This resentment is echoed when Stanley argues that he is an "American." Latest answer posted November 12, 2020 at 11:06:36 AM. In the end, Stanley disarms and overpowers Blanche. Motif Tracking: A Streetcar Named Desire - Violence Summary: Violence is a motif which is prevalent throughout the text, and although it may not always be manifested in clearly violent actions such as the rape, it is often displayed through more subtle verbal aggression, or spiteful acts. Stanley realizes that Blanche is as destitute as she pretends to be and that he still has power over Stella. In response to the threat of rape, Blanche has smashed a bottle and threatened to hurt Stanley. Though the place names are real, the journey allegorically foreshadows Blanche's mental descent throughout the play. In Scene One, Stella honestly shares her experience growing up with Blanche on the plantation called Belle Reve. Stanley is the most overtly violent. He attempts to make his demands of the documents seem like he cares by stating that Stella will be having a baby, but in reality, he demands details and repeats the term Napoleonic code to assert his dominance in the relationship. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. (Click the themes infographic to download.). Stanleys masculinity and physical violence are used to invoke fear in the women and assert himself over them, and this leads to Stella crying weakly. 10. "We've had this date with each other from the beginning'. Stanley and Stellas relationship is revealed to be an aggressive and violent relationship in the Poker night scene. In this play, masculinity means aggression, control, physical dominance, and even violence. From his constant string of verbal and physical abuse, to the ultimate extreme act of raping his sister-in-law, Stanley is infamously known as one of the most aggressively dominating characters in American theatre. Stella is only with Stanley because of his masculinity and drive, she admires his vitality from the start. Stanley and Stella's relationship is revealed to be an aggressive and violent relationship in the 'Poker night' scene. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The sheer animal force of antagonist Stanley Kowalski is partly responsible for the fame of A Streetcar Named Desire. In A Streetcar Named Desire, Stanley's resentment of Blanche is a significant part of his character.. Blanche views Stanley in a negative light. 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