Section B: A Streetcar Named Desire
Question: Explore the presentation of Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. You must relate your
discussion to relevant contextual factors.
Introduction Williams presents Stella as a character whose loyalty is sometimes divided between her
husband and her sister, but who ultimately adapts and accepts her way of life in order to
survive. However through doing this, she demonstrates her powerlessness and also
dependence on Stanley by the end of the play, reflecting 1940s society as a whole, and
how the patriarchy acted as a barrier on women’s independence at this time.
Point 1 Stella is portrayed as a vulnerable, weak character who symbolises the submission of
women in the 1940s. Her character is used to evoke the sympathy of the audience, while
Williams also makes comments on the flaws within society- for example through the
undertone of male dominance in the play, he shows it is impossible for a woman even of
Stella’s social background to hold dominance over a male. At moments, she does try to
take power over her husband, but fails.
Introduction to both Stanley and Stella important in immediately establishing
gender roles- Stanley described as ‘bellowing’ as he heaved a ‘red stained
package’ at her- foundation of relationship is Stanley sexually overpowering Stella,
as she takes on traditional, weak female role.
‘When he’s away for a weak I nearly go wild… when he comes back I cry on his
lap like a baby’- not only referencing their sexual desire, but also her dependence.
By likening her character to a baby, suggesting her dependence as perhaps
inability to live without him, in same way a child’s survival solely relies on presence
of a caregiver.
Scene 2, highlights Stanley’s expectation of Stella to fulfil traditional female roles:
‘how about my supper, huh?’
In scene 8, Stanley’s exclamation highlights the hierarchy that almost exists
between him and Stella- ‘remember what Huey Long said- every man is a king!’ If
Stanley is the king of the house, perhaps implying Stella is his servant. In 1940s
America, women clearly overpowered by the strict patriarchy that exists.
Scene 4: ‘He didn’t know what he was doing . . . He was as good as a lamb when I
came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself.’ Stella makes excuses
for Stanley’s abusive behaviour the night before as she talks to Blanche. For Stella
as for Stanley, the line between sexuality and physical violence blurs.
Interestingly, Stella comes from a higher background than her husband, yet
despite this existing superiority, Williams’ emphasises being a man in 1940s
society instantly gives him power over a women- despite her wealth or social class.
Point 2 Stella allows herself to be overpowered by her husband due to her uncontrollable sexual
desire- their relationship is almost primal, and Williams’ explores also the theme of desire
through the character of Stella.
When her husband first appears on stage he ‘heaves a package’ at Stella,
exclaiming ‘Meat!’ symbolically representing how he is sexually dominant, hurling
himself at Stella and she accepts this- ‘she laughs breathlessly.’ His rough
behaviour gives Stella a fright but also a flash of pleasure. She may protest his
Question: Explore the presentation of Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. You must relate your
discussion to relevant contextual factors.
Introduction Williams presents Stella as a character whose loyalty is sometimes divided between her
husband and her sister, but who ultimately adapts and accepts her way of life in order to
survive. However through doing this, she demonstrates her powerlessness and also
dependence on Stanley by the end of the play, reflecting 1940s society as a whole, and
how the patriarchy acted as a barrier on women’s independence at this time.
Point 1 Stella is portrayed as a vulnerable, weak character who symbolises the submission of
women in the 1940s. Her character is used to evoke the sympathy of the audience, while
Williams also makes comments on the flaws within society- for example through the
undertone of male dominance in the play, he shows it is impossible for a woman even of
Stella’s social background to hold dominance over a male. At moments, she does try to
take power over her husband, but fails.
Introduction to both Stanley and Stella important in immediately establishing
gender roles- Stanley described as ‘bellowing’ as he heaved a ‘red stained
package’ at her- foundation of relationship is Stanley sexually overpowering Stella,
as she takes on traditional, weak female role.
‘When he’s away for a weak I nearly go wild… when he comes back I cry on his
lap like a baby’- not only referencing their sexual desire, but also her dependence.
By likening her character to a baby, suggesting her dependence as perhaps
inability to live without him, in same way a child’s survival solely relies on presence
of a caregiver.
Scene 2, highlights Stanley’s expectation of Stella to fulfil traditional female roles:
‘how about my supper, huh?’
In scene 8, Stanley’s exclamation highlights the hierarchy that almost exists
between him and Stella- ‘remember what Huey Long said- every man is a king!’ If
Stanley is the king of the house, perhaps implying Stella is his servant. In 1940s
America, women clearly overpowered by the strict patriarchy that exists.
Scene 4: ‘He didn’t know what he was doing . . . He was as good as a lamb when I
came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself.’ Stella makes excuses
for Stanley’s abusive behaviour the night before as she talks to Blanche. For Stella
as for Stanley, the line between sexuality and physical violence blurs.
Interestingly, Stella comes from a higher background than her husband, yet
despite this existing superiority, Williams’ emphasises being a man in 1940s
society instantly gives him power over a women- despite her wealth or social class.
Point 2 Stella allows herself to be overpowered by her husband due to her uncontrollable sexual
desire- their relationship is almost primal, and Williams’ explores also the theme of desire
through the character of Stella.
When her husband first appears on stage he ‘heaves a package’ at Stella,
exclaiming ‘Meat!’ symbolically representing how he is sexually dominant, hurling
himself at Stella and she accepts this- ‘she laughs breathlessly.’ His rough
behaviour gives Stella a fright but also a flash of pleasure. She may protest his
