Streetcar - Patriarchal Control

Question 1

Characterisation of men in the play

Answer 1

Stanley functions as the embodiment of ideal masculinity in the post-war, patriarchal society
- “everything that is his, that bears his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer”
- “red stained package” / “heaves” / “bowling”
- “Aw, for God’s sake, go home then!”
- “primitive” / “What such a man has to offer is animal force and he gave a wonderful exhibition of that!” / “bestial”
- “Remember what Huey Long said- ‘Every Man is a King!’ And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!”
Steve re-enforces these masculine ideals
- “Steve and Pablo appear, carrying a case of beer.”
- “The poker players- Stanley, Steve, Mitch and Pablo… they are men at the peak of their physical manhood”

Question 2

Systems of male control

Answer 2

• “Napoleonic Code”
• “according to which what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband”
• “swindled”
• “Where’s the papers? In the trunk?” / “I don’t want no ifs, ands and buts! What’s all the rest of them papers?”

Question 3

Presentation of women

Answer 3

Stella patronised by Stanley, re-enforces traditional gender roles following WW2
- “(Bellowing) Hey, there! Stella, Baby!” / “Where’s the little woman?”
- “How about my supper, huh?”
- “Since when do you give me orders?”
- “(Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh)… It makes me so mad when he does in front of people.”
- “(There is the sound of a blow. Stella cries out.) / “You’re making much too much fuss about this.”
Stella’s conformity to systems of male control ensures her survival
- “And wasn’t we happy together? Wasn’t it all okay? Till she showed here.” / “Take me to the hospital.”
- “I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley.”
- “It is wrapped in a pale blue blanket. Stella accepts the child sobbingly”
- “Stanley has gone out on the porch and stands at the foot of the steps looking at Stella” / “(He kneels beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse) Now, now, love. Now, love…”