Streetcar Named Desire

Stanley Kowalski -- You always know where you stand with Stanley. He speaks plainly, never hides his feelings, and hates affectations of any kind. In a lot of ways, however, he is a mystery. Why is he so intent on destroying Blanche? What makes him so aggressive? What was he like as a young man? How did he ever meet and court Stella? How does a man as animal-like as Stanley succeed as a traveling representative of his company?

Is there more to Stanley than meets the eye?

Here is what we do know: He is a sturdy man of Polish descent but is fiercely proud to be an American. He likes to drink, play poker, and bowl. His greatest pleasures are physical including those with his wife. He also has a violent streak. He strikes his pregnant wife, Stella. He also hurls a radio out a window, throws dishes and eats like an animal. He is always banging objects around and shouting. In the end he does the unspeakable to his sister-in-law. Blanche calls him a hold over from the Stone Age and this would fit as many of his actions would fall under the catagory of protecting his cave.

Yet, he is surprisingly appealing. Stanley is a sex symbol up on stage. Why is it that so many women find this type of man so appealing? Stanley does have some good qualities. He can make you laugh with his earthy wit. His frankness is refreshing and he does have a personality so strong that it would be hard to forget Stanley if you ever met him. He also adores his wife, Stella to the nth degree.

Why does he hate Blanche, if he loves women so much? One reason may be simply that he is a man and she is a woman. It could be because she interfers with his life with Stella. She attempts to lure Stella away from him at one point in the play and Stanley overhears this conversation. Blanche also lost Belle Reve and Stanley is very protective of his possessions and his territory. Blanche also insults him and lies to him and his wife. She, further, tries to trap his friend, Mitch and is a threat to his way of life. Maybe Stanley just can't tolerate the thought of being taken advantage of. He merely wants to protect his fragile ego and his way of life. It comes down to naturalism with Stanley. It is survival of the fittest and only the strong survive. Knowing that, is it any wonder who is going to win in this battle of wills?

Stanley is used to getting his way with women and Blanche won't give him his way. His discovery that she's been a disgrace, is his ticket to tear away her pretenses, rapes her, and brings her down to his level once and for all.

"I never met a woman that didn't know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and some of them give themselves credit for more than they got. . ."

Blanche Dubois says at the end of Streetcar, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." If you need help on this great play, look no further. The areas below should help friends and strangers alike. Best of luck to all of you!

[Synopsis] [Setting & Characters] [Poetic References]

[Essay Topics] [Test] [Study Questions] [Blanche] [Mitch] [Stella] [Stanley]

[Structure & Themes] [Notes] [Letters to Jessica Tandy]

From Streetcar:"No, I have the misfortune of being an English teacher."

Got questions or comments? Contact Jay Edwards

[Biography] [The Glass Menegerie] [Streetcar Named Desire] [Main Page]