Blanche and Stanley are from two different worlds. Because
of this there are many causes of animosity
between Blanche and Stanley. Blanche comes from the old South
and was raised as a southern lady. Stanley comes from a Polish
background and was an master sergeant in the Engineers' Corps. During the first few days of her
stay in New Orleans, Blanche has become a nuisance to Stanley in their little apartment. Stanley dislikes her because she
interferes with his life with Stella, and Blanche dislikes him because he is a
threat to her and her sister. Blanche tries to weaken the relationship
between Stella and Stanley by making Stella see that Stanley does not belong
with them because of their upbringing. Blanche does not understand why Stella
is married to Stanley because he thinks that money, objects, and status come
before love. Both Blanche and Stanley have major flaws. Blanche has a habit of
lying and manipulating the truth. Stanley is aggressive, violent and has a
habit of controlling what Stella can do.
While
reading I have been thinking about some of Blanche’s habits. I also have been
thinking about how the ideal southern lady performs gender. Blanche is
constantly lying throughout the first scenes. She seems to be very sexual but
says she is a woman who is not “easy.” She also lies about the amount she
drinks. From my previous knowledge these are habits that are not accepted for a
southern lady. I assume she is lying to protect her reputation.
I like your point of how they are both flawed characters. That their differences does not put one above the other. They will continue to be different and unchanged.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you that Blanche and Stanley’s animosity is shaped largely by their contrasting backgrounds. The author, Tennessee Williams, automatically draws a line between Stanley’s Polish background and Blanche’s elite Old South background. In the beginning of the play, Blanche immediately points out that her sisters husband is “not so-highbrow” and can only afford to live in a two-bedroom apartment, which is unspeakable for a woman from the Old South to marry or love. However, as you explained, their flaws contribute greatly to the constant battle they fight to humiliate one another. These flaws are rooted in the diverse backgrounds each has. For example, a southern woman of Blanche’s standards speaks soft, eloquently, and finds entertainment in teas and cocktails. Nevertheless, this leads to a major conflict in the play, Blanche’s honest or dishonest nature. Her flaw of seemingly lying to protect her good name is what appears to bother Stanley the most. Stanley’s nature is to speak loud, sexually, bold and cares strongly about money. For example, Stanley initially disapproves of Blanche because he believe he lost money when she lost the plantation in Belle Reve. Blanche’s flaws of lying, insecurity, and panic continually rubs Stanley the wrong way no matter what Blanche does. Just as Stanley’s ill-mannered, animalistic, and sexually-driven ways continue to rub Blanche the wrong way. Furthermore, Williams tends to show these characteristics through light and love. All these flaws are character traits that both Blanche and Stanley have acquired due to their distinct backgrounds which is the foundation of the persistent animosity that will come to blows.
ReplyDeleteThe two characters class because they are opposite, I can agree with that. It's interesting to see them interact with their quite contrasting backgrounds. These points are brought about once we see their issues and dilemmas.
ReplyDelete