A Streetcar Named Desire

A detailed Summary of A Streetcar Named Desire

The evidence of masculinity in scene three is shown through dialogue, stage direction and description of the surroundings. The introduction to the dramatic purpose of the poker party demonstrates Stanley's domination over his friends through the way in which he makes all the decisions about the game. He also shows domination over his wife by hitting her during an argument.

Scene three opens with a description of surroundings during a poker night. The description of the poker night immediately introduces it as an all guys night. Stanley, Steve, Mitch and Pablo, all men are described as wearing shirts that have colours that are "powerful as the primary colours". Primary colours are childish colours showing how childish and immature their personality is going to be through out the poker night. This is a contrast to how they are described physically as "strong". These solid colours suggest they are strong, powerful men who are "coarse" and "direct". Even though they are at their "prime" of physical manhood, alternatively the primary colour description can be seen as them not being in their prime mentally, suggesting immaturity and simple thinking. The hard, strong alcohol of whisky on the table implies masculinity. It is also a wh

Later, Blanche is introduced to Mitch who is attracted to her. Blanche thinks he seems "superior" to the rest of the men. Mitch could be more mature and older compared to Stanley and the men. His masculinity is demonstrated through his superior ness. Mitch is not married and automatically Blanche asks is he a "wolf". Her immediate reaction to an unmarried man is that he is a wild and undomesticated 'dog', who is rough and perhaps aggressive and not a gentleman. The discussion leads onto Stanley and how his "drive" will help him get somewhere at the plant. Stanley has a strong character that is driven by his dominant side; this "drive" reinforces the masculine side of him.

The only part in the scene that doesn't present Stanley as a strong, masculine man is when he breaks into "sobs". Men aren't usually seen as the crying 'type'. Williams does show Stanley's sensitive side when he cries for Stella to come home. However, there is a contrast when Williams returns to describing Stanley as an animal when he throws his head back like a "baying hound" and "bellows" and "howls" his wife's name. Immediately, he portrays Stanley's masculine side as a dog, this time he is domesticated unlike the previous description as an undomesticated dog - wolf.

The coy euphemism Blanche uses to call the lavatory is the "little boys room". "Little boys" are two words that are associated with cheeky six-year-old school children. Does she intentionally use this euphemism to suggest the immature attitude of the men?

Some common words found in the essay are:
Mitch's Blanche, Stella Blanche's, Stella Blanche, Stella Stanley's, Mitch Pablo, Stanley Stella, Williams Stanley's, , Blanche Stella, Eunice Stanley, stella blanche, stanley's brutality, poker night, animal imagery, primary colours, girlish laughter, little boys, sugar tit, playing poker, boys little,

Approximate Word count = 2084
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels