Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Blanche and Stanley
In "A Streetcar Named Desire", two main characters, Stanley and Blanche, blatantly have problems with each other. Stanley (Stella's husband) demonstrates the primitive, and masculine character that is enticing to Stella, and on many levels seen as a rival to Blanche, Stella's sister. Blanche is much more less realistic than him, and lives in another world which eventually contribute to the downfall of her. Problems first arise when Blanche arrives at the Kowalski household, and Stanley's power is questioned. He always had complete control of the household and as well as Stella. Once Blanche arrives, he feels like his home is being taken over and does not agree with it. One of the main themes between the two and throughout the story is the battle of them both to win over Stella, and neither will forfeit.
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Maci, I thought it was interesting how you said that Blanche and Stanley are rivals. I drew the same kind of conclusion. Both of the two characters have head strong personalities and are very set in their ways. Blanche in her "old school southern belle" ideals and Stanley in his blue collar man of the house" attitude. Neither seem to willing to give at all. Blanche threatens Stanley's authority and presence in the house, like you said.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a battle going between Stanley and Blanche is very interesting concept. I agree with your assessment because I think that Stanley and Blanche are actually pretty similar. On one hand they embody many different social standings. Blanche is Southern lady of French descent that has lived on a plantation named "Beautiful Dream" her entire life. Stanley is a brutish and mancho manly man of Polish descent. The one thing that have in common, I think, is that they both want Stella on their side for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteBlanche wants Stella because she is desperately trying to hold on to her way of life and because Stella is a connection to that old life she is trying to take her back. Blanche is at point in her life where she doesn't have much to hold on to since her husband has died, she's lost her job and home. Stella would help her reclaim her power and significance.
Stanley on the other, sees Stella as one of his possessions "under the Napoleonic code." He needs to keep Stella as a signifier of his power and control in his home and life. Stanley does many to things to prove his control, an example of this is when he throws the radio out of the window when he felt Blanche testing him. Stanley has his reputation and identity to uphold.
In both of these cases, poor Stella is being played as a pawn in the fight for control between Blanche and Stanley.
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ReplyDeleteMaci, I also agree that a power and control struggle between Stanley and Blanche is going on throughout the play. When the power is stripped from either Stanley or Blanche, they act dramatically to gain power back at no expense. However, this can not last forever and is setting the various relationships in the play to crumble and be destroyed because power, in this household, can not be shared- it must be dominated by a single character
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