In What Ways Do Blanche and Stanley Exert Control over Stella in the Opening Scenes of the Play?

In What Ways Do Blanche and Stanley Exert Control over Stella in the Opening Scenes of the Play?

  • Submitted By: dynamo
  • Date Submitted: 01/09/2009 9:39 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 709
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 1

In a Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams creates characters that portray a vast array of personas and personalities. These can be split into two categories, the passive characters that are repetitively submissive to the wishes of others or their actions, whereas conversely to this, the active characters are dominant and attempt to gain direct control over anyone. The most important passive character in the play is Stella, as she enables Blanche and Stanley to exert control over her, during various parts of the play.
This is initially evident at the very beginning of the play immediately on the introduction of the characters Stanley and Stella, during which Stanley performs three actions that exhibit dominance over Stella. This begins with the two characters opening lines in the scene, as the stage directions indicated that Stanley is “bellowing” at Stella, whilst Stella replies “mildly”, “don’t holler at me like that”. This is then preceded by Stanley hurling a piece at Stella for her to catch, followed by him instantaneously turning back to go round the corner. Acting like this it appears that Stanley would have no responsibility to Stella, as he did not make the effort to see if she caught the meat without injuring herself. Finally, as Stanley is leaving Stella “calls after him” to see if she can also join Stanley, which Stanley agrees to but instead of waiting for Stella, Stanley continues to head to the bowling ally. The phrase “calls after him” demonstrates how Stella follows Stanley along, and serves him according to what he wishes to do and when he wants to do it.
Also in scene one, the reader can distinguish further traits of Stella being a passive character. This can be perceived when Stella and Blanche meet for the first time, upon Blanche’s arrival in New Orleans. Blanche uses phrases such as “Oh my baby! Stella! Stella for Star!…Precious lamb!” which are both belittling and demeaning to Stella. Blanche is expecting that New Orleans is...

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