"The major feature of the social status of men and women is the dominance of men in virtually every aspect of modern life"(Robinson, Frost, Buccigrossi, Pfeffer 2-17). Throughout the Earth 's history, men have always been portrayed as strong, great leaders. Women on the other hand, have been portrayed as weak and timid. As a result, many of women 's rights in the late 1940 's, early 1950 's have been hampered by men and political leaders. Famous author, Tennessee Williams, wrote the play A Streetcar Named Desire during that time period. Corresponding to the time period, one of the main themes of the play is the role of genders. The two main female characters, sisters Stella Kowalski and Blanche DuBois, are inferior to Stanley Kowalski
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Stanley 's abuse towards his wife, Stella, shows his dominance in the play. In scene 3, Stella walks out of the bathroom to see Mitch, Stanley 's friend, and Blanche talking. Blanche turns on the radio for a second time. Stanley yells from the other room, where he and his friends are playing poker, to have them turn it off. They do not listen to Stanley and an argument arises. Stanley comes into the room to turn it off, but Blanche turns it on again, and so on. Stanley rushes back into the room, pulls the radio cord out of the wall, and proceeds to throw the radio out the window. Stella is angry with Stanley for doing so and advises all the men to leave. When Stella yells at Stanley for his poor behavior, he is drunk and upset. As Stanley chases Stella outside she turns to him and says, "You lay your hands on me …show more content…
In scene 10, Stella is in the hospital and Blanche and Stanley are at home. Stanley takes advantage of this situation because it is just him and Blanche in the house. Literary critic Susan Koprince says, "Like most batterers, Stanley believes in male superiority. He views women as sexual objects— 'hens ' who have been placed on earth solely for the male bird’s pleasure" (Koprince). Koprince 's description of Stanley appropriately corresponds to scene 10 of the play. As noted throughout the play, Stanley has never truly been fond of Blanche’s presence. However, now that he is alone with her he suddenly seems to show interest in her because of his sexual desire. Stanley tells Blanche, "Tiger-tiger! Drop the bottle-top! Drop it! We 've had this date with each other from the beginning! (Williams 162). Stanley only uses Blanche to please himself; he does not care how she feels or what she wants. Blanche tries to get away from Stanley before he has the chance to abuse her, but she is not quick enough. Stanley takes control of Blanche 's body by raping her. He knows she is upset with her past and Mitch and he uses that as his opportunity to lure her into his trap. Stanley in the least bit feels remorse for his actions. Stanley 's male dominance is expressed when he takes control of Blanche 's body for his own self-gratification and
Stanley 's abuse towards his wife, Stella, shows his dominance in the play. In scene 3, Stella walks out of the bathroom to see Mitch, Stanley 's friend, and Blanche talking. Blanche turns on the radio for a second time. Stanley yells from the other room, where he and his friends are playing poker, to have them turn it off. They do not listen to Stanley and an argument arises. Stanley comes into the room to turn it off, but Blanche turns it on again, and so on. Stanley rushes back into the room, pulls the radio cord out of the wall, and proceeds to throw the radio out the window. Stella is angry with Stanley for doing so and advises all the men to leave. When Stella yells at Stanley for his poor behavior, he is drunk and upset. As Stanley chases Stella outside she turns to him and says, "You lay your hands on me …show more content…
In scene 10, Stella is in the hospital and Blanche and Stanley are at home. Stanley takes advantage of this situation because it is just him and Blanche in the house. Literary critic Susan Koprince says, "Like most batterers, Stanley believes in male superiority. He views women as sexual objects— 'hens ' who have been placed on earth solely for the male bird’s pleasure" (Koprince). Koprince 's description of Stanley appropriately corresponds to scene 10 of the play. As noted throughout the play, Stanley has never truly been fond of Blanche’s presence. However, now that he is alone with her he suddenly seems to show interest in her because of his sexual desire. Stanley tells Blanche, "Tiger-tiger! Drop the bottle-top! Drop it! We 've had this date with each other from the beginning! (Williams 162). Stanley only uses Blanche to please himself; he does not care how she feels or what she wants. Blanche tries to get away from Stanley before he has the chance to abuse her, but she is not quick enough. Stanley takes control of Blanche 's body by raping her. He knows she is upset with her past and Mitch and he uses that as his opportunity to lure her into his trap. Stanley in the least bit feels remorse for his actions. Stanley 's male dominance is expressed when he takes control of Blanche 's body for his own self-gratification and