Stella and stanleys relationship

Question 1

Relationship between stella and Stanley
(intro )

Answer 1

The relationship between Stanley and Stella in Williams domestic tragedy, “A Streetcar Named Desire” is portrayed as primal and based on physical desire rather than intellectual understanding. It is a violent relationship, as evidenced throughout the play. However, they certainly express love and passion for each other through sexual intimacy. Williams uses symbols like the loud piano through the play to foreshadow the tension and turmoil in their marriage. Their relationship is turbulent yet resilient as Stella takes Stanley back even after his many machiavellian doings.

Question 2

Topic sentence 1

Answer 2

during the exposition of the play, williams initially illustrates their r/s as exciting and passionate, yet with a certain sense of discord between them, hinting at there awkward dynamic.

Question 3

Quotes to include

Answer 3

• “bellows” to stella and ‘heaves’ a piece of ‘meat’ at her.

Question 4

analysis

Answer 4

introduced as aggresive and over bearing
- can also be interpreted to portray their sexual relationship as he literally throws his ‘meat’ at her.
portrayal of a lust-filled relationship.
William cleverly utilises this moment to reveal Stanleys tendencies that are already peeking through his character.

Question 5

Quotes

Answer 5

Stella is portrayed passively as ‘gentle’ and ‘mildly’

Question 6

analysis -

Answer 6

rather interesting as it contrasts to stanleys animalistic character

Question 7

Quote -

Answer 7

“i can hardly stand it when hes away for one night.. When hes away for the whole week i nearly go wild!” (Stella)

Question 8

language device

Answer 8

Hyperbole

Question 9

Analysis

Answer 9

Her use of “hardly stand” and “nearly go wild” emphasizes how deeply intertwined her sense of stability and well-being is with Stanley’s presence
- This dependence suggests a passionate, yet potentially unhealthy, attachment that borders on obsession

Question 10

perhaphs..

Answer 10

Williams portrays their relationship in this way to
indicate his dominant role in her life.
It implies that his presence provides a sense of control and order, reinforcing his position of power within the relationship.

Question 11

quote -

Answer 11

“why, that you had to live in these conditions!” (Blanche )

Question 12

literary device

Answer 12

exclamatory remark

Question 13

analysis

Answer 13

shows her didain for stellas living condition, portraying it as burdensome, indirectly shaming her.

Question 14

Blanches impact on their dynamic

Answer 14

Upon Blanche’s arrival is when Stanley’s aggressive and abusive tendencies are triggered, quickly intruding upon his relationship with Stella.

Question 15

quote -

Answer 15

What is this sister of yours, a deep sea diver?.. Or is she a champion safe cracker?” (Stanley )

Question 16

language device

Answer 16

rhetorical questions

Question 17

Analysis

Answer 17

First quarrel in the play caused by Blanches arrival
use of rhetorical questions here sheds light on his distrust and doubt of Blanches ‘honesty’

Question 18

Context

Answer 18

Blanches arrival in post-World War II New Orleans heightens the tension between Stella and Stanley Kowalski.
- The vibrant yet gritty setting underscores the clash between the fading Old South, represented by Blanche, and the practical New South, embodied by Stanley. Blanche’s disdain for Stella’s living conditions emphasises cultural and class tensions.
Perhaphs Stanley perceives Blanche as a threat to his dominance and stability, which exacerbates his distrust and hostility.

Question 19

Quote -

Answer 19

“The kowalskis and Dubois have different notions” ( said by Stanley )

Question 20

Analysis -

Answer 20

Proof of Blanche being a potential threat to Stanley
Blanche and Stella grew up in an upper-class family and with the ‘Old South’ ideals. Whereas, Stanley belongs to the working-class and he represents the “New South” ideals.
- creates tension between Blanche and Stanley which develops as the play continues

Question 21

language device

Answer 21

sort of junxtaposition

Question 22

Ending sentence

Answer 22

This intrusion sets the stage for the unraveling of their relationship in “A Streetcar Named Desire.

Question 23

paragraph 2 topic sentence

Answer 23

As the play progresses, Stanley’s aggressive and violent behavior towards Stella becomes increasingly evident, revealing the somewhat toxic dynamics at play in their relationship

Question 24

quote -

Answer 24

.”Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.”
(Scene 3 )

Question 25

Language device

Answer 25

onomatopia

Question 26

Analysis

Answer 26

This action is very possessive and just shows how much power he holds over her to his friends.
- He can do what he wants because she is his wife; this is very reminiscent of 1950s marriage

Question 27

Quote -

Answer 27

“thats not fun Stanley”
- “it makes me so mad when he does that infront of people..”

Question 28

analysis

Answer 28

This suggests that he has done that before however , also that she is alright with it when they are alone but not when they have company.

Question 29

context

Answer 29

It most definitely would have not been surprising to the audience to observe this, because of the standards of the working-class world of the 1950s, physical violence perpetrated by a husband were often tolerated and downplayed

Question 30

Ao4 / Ao5

Answer 30

In “domestic violence in ASND,” Author Susan, discources Stella’s subserviance as typical battered housewife behaviour. In a time where “wife beating” was seen as a private family issue.
Stella makes excuses and pardons his behaviour, accepting the love and sex he showers her with after a violent episode.

Question 31

quote -

Answer 31

“Her eyes are glistening with tears .. Then they come together with low, animal moans”
“He snatches the screen door open and lifts her off her feet and bears her into the dark flat.”

Question 32

language device

Answer 32

metaphore

Question 33

analysis

Answer 33

While Stella’s tears suggest vulnerability, their union transcends emotional boundaries, delving into a realm of primal passion and instinctual connection.
Stanley’s forceful action of snatching open the screen door and lifting Stella off her feet reflects his dominating presence and impulsive nature - exertion of physical control over her.
- The imagery of bearing her into the dark flat symbolizes the secrecy and intimacy of their relationship, tinged with elements of aggression and possessiveness.

Question 34

3rd topic sentence

Answer 34

By the end, Stella still returns to Stanley despite his machievellian wrongdoings, highlighting a sense of desperation in her character

Question 35

Quote -

Answer 35

“I couldnt believe her story and go on living with stanley”

Question 36

analysis

Answer 36

• Her sister says that Stanely has raped her. Stella’s only options therefore are to either believe Blanche and leave Stanely or consider Blanche’s story a lie or a delusion.
  Even though Stella knows deep down that Blanche was partially telling the truth, she must now follow her sister’s example and embrace the illuision over reality, in order to continue living the life she had before Blanche ever came to New Orleans

Question 37

quote

Answer 37

Eunice - “dont ever believe it.Life has got to go on.

Question 38

analysis + context

Answer 38

She is expressing the fact that Stella needs to persevere through this in order to survive; which she will not do if she is without a man.
In the 1940’s a woman needed to be by a man’s side in order to survive- this was the view of many, as it seemed like marriage and the like were the only things women could depend on.
This may be why Blanche received pitying looks by many; the Young Male collector and the Mexican flower woman, as she does not fulfil the old South convention so it is inevitable that she will be destroyed at the hands of men

Question 39

quote

Answer 39

” she sobs with inhuman abdomen”

Question 40

language device

Answer 40

metaphor

Question 41

quote

Answer 41

even then, instead of comforting her , stanley “ kneels beside her, his fingers finding the opening of her blouse”

Question 42

analysis

Answer 42

Links to Scene 3 – after upsetting Stella/Stella becoming upset, Stanley doesn’t comfort her as he should (with tenderness and reassurance).
Instead, he exploits her emotional state by making sexual advances on her.
It can be inferred that this happens very often in their relationship. He knows Stella is driven by sex and so he uses it to make her feel better

Question 43

quote

Answer 43

“luxurious sobbing”

Question 44

language device

Answer 44

juxtaposition

Question 45

analysis

Answer 45

• could stem from his dominant nature and tendency to sexualize vulnerability.
• stanley thrives on exerting power and control, seeing Stella in a state of intense emotion may gratify his desire for dominance, viewing her emotional vulnerability as a form of submission.
  Furthermore, witnessing such intense displays of emotion could validate Stanley’s sense of masculinity and power, boosting his ego and reaffirming his control in their tumultuous relationship.
• may serve as a source of arousal for Stanley

Question 46

conclusion

Answer 46

Towards the end of the play, Stella gives birth to Stanleys child, which also ties her to him
- while stella can be charecterised as more realistic on her outlook on life, this is contested at the end of the play as she choses to believe that the rape is a figment of blanches imagination.