Streetcar Masculinity Quotes

Question 1

Williams and Webster both portray societies in which male power thrives unchecked.

• package evokes the idea of Stanley being the provider of the household establishing himself as the leader through this primal sense of masculinity
• The treatment of the meat reflects how he treats Stella like an object of pleasure he possesses

Answer 1

“Stanley carries his bowling jacket
and a red-stained package from a butcher’s.

(pg 2 - Act 1,1)

Question 2

Williams and Webster both portray societies in which male power thrives unchecked.

• Van Gogh’s bright colours in ‘The Night Cafe’ embody the intensity of their masculinity
• The contrasting/clashing colours highlight their different personalities and their unfiltered, raw forms of masculinity

Answer 2

The poker players–Stanley, Steve, Mitch and Pablo–wear colored shirts, solid blues, a purple, a red-and-white check, a light green, and they are men at the peak of their physical manhood, as coarse and direct and powerful as the primary colors.
(pg 27 - Act 1, 3)

Question 3

Williams and Webster both portray societies in which male power thrives unchecked.

• She experiences emotional turmoil when he’s gone
• He has power and control over her as she relies on him

Answer 3

‘I can hardly stand it when he is away for a night … When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild! (Stella)

(pg 10 - Act 1, 1)

Question 4

In both plays, the central conflict derives from a female challenge to male power, which results in either psychological violence (Malfi) or psychological and physical violence (Streetcar).

• Stanley’s reaction reveals a fundamental insecurity that arises when women assert their independence
• Stanley lets his frustration culminate as his masculinity feels challenged and later in the play he assaults on Blanche

Answer 4

‘It looks to me like you have been swindled baby, and when you’re swindled under the Napoleonic Code I’m swindled too. And I don’t like to be swindled.’ (Stanley to Stella)

(pg 18 - Act 1,2)

Question 5

In both plays, the central conflict derives from a female challenge to male power, which results in either psychological violence (Malfi) or psychological and physical violence (Streetcar).

• Blanches jewellery can show her fragility as it can represent superficiality of the status that Blanche clings to
• Stanley discards the jewellery undermining Blanche’s sense of identity and worth and showing a lack of respect towards her as he doesn’t respect her privacy
• He asserts his power and ultimately it results in Blanche’s outburst as he continues rifling through her possessions and find her letters

Answer 5

He hurls the furs on the daybed. Then he jerks open small drawer in the trunk and pulls up a fist-full of costume jewellery

(pg 19 - Act 1,2)

Question 6

In both plays, the central conflict derives from a female challenge to male power, which results in either psychological violence (Malfi) or psychological and physical violence (Streetcar).

• Tension between Stanley and Blanche
• Blanche’s illusions and attempts to maintain an air of sophistication and superiority clash with his straightforward, often aggressive nature

Answer 6

STANLEY: The Kowalskis and Dubois have different notions.

(pg 19 - Act 1,2)

Question 7

Yet both plays also present different models of masculinity - male characters who defy expected masculine codes and behaviours.

• Mitch shows emotional vulnerability and a form of masculinity that values sensitivity and responsibility
• Clashes with Stanley’s more aggressive and traditional masculine behaviours

Answer 7

MITCH: I gotta sick mother. She don’t go to sleep until I come in at night

(pg 28 - Act 1,3)

Question 8

Yet both plays also present different models of masculinity - male characters who defy expected masculine codes and behaviours.

• doesn’t try to assert power
• through a more endearing and innocent side of masculinity, he seeks emotional connection through shared joy and intimacy contrasting how Stanley tries to assert power over women
• Defies traditional masculine ideal of confidence and physical prowess and instead is vulnerable and clumsy

Answer 8

Blanche waltzes to the music with romantic gestures. Mitch is delighted and moves in awkward imitation like a dancing bear.

(pg 35 - Act 1,3)

Question 9

Yet both plays also present different models of masculinity - male characters who defy expected masculine codes and behaviours.

• Mitch emotionally connects to women
• He appreciates them for their personalities as opposed to how Stanley objectifies them

Answer 9

MITCH: She knew she was dying when she give me this. A very strange girl, very sweet - very!’

(pg 33 - Act 1,3)