Stella and stanleys relationship Flashcards
Relationship between stella and Stanley
(intro )
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.
Topic sentence 1
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.
Quotes to include
- “bellows” to stella and ‘heaves’ a piece of ‘meat’ at her.
analysis
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.
Quotes
Stella is portrayed passively as ‘gentle’ and ‘mildly’
analysis -
rather interesting as it contrasts to stanleys animalistic character
Quote -
“i can hardly stand it when hes away for one night.. When hes away for the whole week i nearly go wild!” (Stella)
language device
Hyperbole
Analysis
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
perhaphs..
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.
quote -
“why, that you had to live in these conditions!” (Blanche )
literary device
exclamatory remark
analysis
shows her didain for stellas living condition, portraying it as burdensome, indirectly shaming her.
Blanches impact on their dynamic
Upon Blanche’s arrival is when Stanley’s aggressive and abusive tendencies are triggered, quickly intruding upon his relationship with Stella.
quote -
What is this sister of yours, a deep sea diver?.. Or is she a champion safe cracker?” (Stanley )
language device
rhetorical questions
Analysis
First quarrel in the play caused by Blanches arrival
use of rhetorical questions here sheds light on his distrust and doubt of Blanches ‘honesty’
Context
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.
Quote -
“The kowalskis and Dubois have different notions” ( said by Stanley )
Analysis -
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
language device
sort of junxtaposition
Ending sentence
This intrusion sets the stage for the unraveling of their relationship in “A Streetcar Named Desire.
paragraph 2 topic sentence
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
quote -
.”Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.”
(Scene 3 )
Language device
onomatopia
Analysis
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
Quote -
“thats not fun Stanley”
- “it makes me so mad when he does that infront of people..”
analysis
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.
context
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
Ao4 / Ao5
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.
quote -
“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.”
language device
metaphore
analysis
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.
3rd topic sentence
By the end, Stella still returns to Stanley despite his machievellian wrongdoings, highlighting a sense of desperation in her character
Quote -
“I couldnt believe her story and go on living with stanley”
analysis
- 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
quote
Eunice - “dont ever believe it.Life has got to go on.
analysis + context
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
quote
” she sobs with inhuman abdomen”
language device
metaphor
quote
even then, instead of comforting her , stanley “ kneels beside her, his fingers finding the opening of her blouse”
analysis
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
quote
“luxurious sobbing”
language device
juxtaposition
analysis
- 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
conclusion
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.
