In Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire"(Williams 2008-2075; additional references by page number only.) the characters are extremely physical. The most physical of all characters in the play was Stanley Kowalski. Stanley is considered to be a brutal, domineering man with animal-like traits.
The best relationship to illustrate Stanley's brutality is the one between he and his wife, Stella. Stanley treats Stella badly. He beats Stella and is impolite to her in front of other people. He rarely takes her suggestions and often scolds her. Stanley only acts kindly to Stella when he wants to make love with her. There is evidence in scene three of Stanley's brutality.
STELLA: How much longer is this game going to continue?
...Why don't you women go up and sit with Eunice?
STELLA: Because it is nearly two-thirty A.M....
...Shortly after this incident during the same scene...
Williams, Tennessee. "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Norton Introduction to Literature. Seventh Ed. Eds Beaty and Hunter. New York: Norton and Company, 1998: 2008-2075.
These are just two examples of Stanley's brutality towards Stella. Near the end of the play, the reader discovers that Stanley has raped Blanche. This is probably considered to be his most brutal act during the play.
He always wants to be in control. Tossing the meat package to Stella, ruffling Blanche's rich clothes, throwing the radio out of the window, and breaking plates when he is insulted are all done to show that he is in charge.
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