Stella Kowalski
SCENE ONE
● “He heaves the package at her…cries out in protest but… laughed breathlessly”-
Stella enables and is thrilled by Stanley’s actions, but the initial “cries” hints at their
marital problems.
● “When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild!”- Stella’s hyperbolic exclamation
highlights her dependence on Stanley, and reiterates how she is settled in a new life-
Blanche doesn’t want to lose her sister to this new world.
SCENE TWO
● “There weren’t any papers, she didn’t show me any papers. I don’t care about
papers”- The repetition shows Stella’s desperation, highlighting the conflict in her
marriage.
SCENE THREE
● “Couldn’t you call it quits after one more hand? […Stanley gives a loud whack of his
hand on her thigh]”- Stanley doesn’t respect Stella enough for a response, but uses
her for immediate sexual gratification.
○ Stella responds “[sharply] That’s not fun, Stanley”. The stage direction is the
first indication that Stella isn’t happy in the marriage, and tension begins to
build between the husband and wife.
● “Stanley’s the only one of his crowd that’s likely to get anywhere.” The simple
sentence (with a singular clause) displays an assertive tone, demonstrating Stella’s
blind devotion to Stanley, even when she is angry at him. This shows how she is
entirely dependent on her husband, wooed by his charms.
● Stella is wilfully ignorant of Blanche’s flaws. She warns “You’re standing in the light,
Blanche!”, perpetuating her sister's secrecy and dishonesty.
● Stella speaks “[with girlish laughter]” the stage direction highlights her femininity,
which will play a part in the tension between Stanley and the women. The adjective
indicates her closeness with Blanche, alluding to a past where they were friends.
This closeness with Blanche foreshadows tension between Stella and Stanley, and
implies that Stanley may turn against his wife (as his hatred of Blanche is already
obvious).
○ It is Stanley that interrupts this moment between the sisters, indicating how he
shatters Stella’s connection to her past (“You hens cut out that conversation
in there!”- see notes on Stanley).
● “This is my house and I’ll talk as much as I want to!”- the repetition of the personal
pronouns creates an assertive tone, supported by the exclamation mark. This shows
a rare occasion of Stella being self-assured within the marriage, foreshadowing
conflict.
● “Drunk- drunk- animal thing, you!”- The metaphor (which portrays Stanley as a beast)
demonstrates that Stella also sees Stanley’s wicked, primitive nature, despite her
forgiveness. The repetition of “drunk” implies that Stella only has the courage to
acknowledge Stanley’s faults when there is something else to direct her blame
towards. It’s easier to accuse Stanley of being vulgar with a drinking problem, than to
confess that he is fundamentally abusive. Stella is the one to take action, not the
men. Whenever it comes to domestic violence and the constant underlying issue of
SCENE ONE
● “He heaves the package at her…cries out in protest but… laughed breathlessly”-
Stella enables and is thrilled by Stanley’s actions, but the initial “cries” hints at their
marital problems.
● “When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild!”- Stella’s hyperbolic exclamation
highlights her dependence on Stanley, and reiterates how she is settled in a new life-
Blanche doesn’t want to lose her sister to this new world.
SCENE TWO
● “There weren’t any papers, she didn’t show me any papers. I don’t care about
papers”- The repetition shows Stella’s desperation, highlighting the conflict in her
marriage.
SCENE THREE
● “Couldn’t you call it quits after one more hand? […Stanley gives a loud whack of his
hand on her thigh]”- Stanley doesn’t respect Stella enough for a response, but uses
her for immediate sexual gratification.
○ Stella responds “[sharply] That’s not fun, Stanley”. The stage direction is the
first indication that Stella isn’t happy in the marriage, and tension begins to
build between the husband and wife.
● “Stanley’s the only one of his crowd that’s likely to get anywhere.” The simple
sentence (with a singular clause) displays an assertive tone, demonstrating Stella’s
blind devotion to Stanley, even when she is angry at him. This shows how she is
entirely dependent on her husband, wooed by his charms.
● Stella is wilfully ignorant of Blanche’s flaws. She warns “You’re standing in the light,
Blanche!”, perpetuating her sister's secrecy and dishonesty.
● Stella speaks “[with girlish laughter]” the stage direction highlights her femininity,
which will play a part in the tension between Stanley and the women. The adjective
indicates her closeness with Blanche, alluding to a past where they were friends.
This closeness with Blanche foreshadows tension between Stella and Stanley, and
implies that Stanley may turn against his wife (as his hatred of Blanche is already
obvious).
○ It is Stanley that interrupts this moment between the sisters, indicating how he
shatters Stella’s connection to her past (“You hens cut out that conversation
in there!”- see notes on Stanley).
● “This is my house and I’ll talk as much as I want to!”- the repetition of the personal
pronouns creates an assertive tone, supported by the exclamation mark. This shows
a rare occasion of Stella being self-assured within the marriage, foreshadowing
conflict.
● “Drunk- drunk- animal thing, you!”- The metaphor (which portrays Stanley as a beast)
demonstrates that Stella also sees Stanley’s wicked, primitive nature, despite her
forgiveness. The repetition of “drunk” implies that Stella only has the courage to
acknowledge Stanley’s faults when there is something else to direct her blame
towards. It’s easier to accuse Stanley of being vulgar with a drinking problem, than to
confess that he is fundamentally abusive. Stella is the one to take action, not the
men. Whenever it comes to domestic violence and the constant underlying issue of
