How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?
How and why is the working class of post-war America presented as dominating and powerful through the character of Stanley?
Written Task 2:
In 1931, James Truslow Adams popularized the phrase “American Dream”. He stated that the “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” This phrase surrounded the idea that there is an equality of opportunity which is available to any American, allowing the highest of aspirations and goals to be achieved in their lives. In his book, The Epic of America from 1931, he explained that for many in both the working class and middle class, upward …show more content…
His idea seemed appropriate to pertain to the character of Stanley, in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Throughout the play the audience is …show more content…
Throughout the play, there were several instances in which he demonstrates this, both with Blanche and with Stella. In Scene 2, Stella asks Stanley to do something, he replies with a rhetorical question stating, “Since when do you give me orders” (page 35). He hints at his desire to maintain the pre-war gender hierarchy. This is implied through him hinting to Stella to “keep her place”. Another example of Stanley demonstrating his overpowering of women is in Scene 3, where Stanley “crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table. With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out the window [...] Stanley charges after Stella” (page 62). The following stage directions demonstrate Stanley’s quick temper. Through solely Blanche turning on the radio, a series of events take place, including Stanley’s assault to Stella. This example too, highlights his overpowering of women through domestic violence. The same idea is explored in Scene 8, where Stanley replies to Stella’s command to clear the table by shouting “that’s how I’ll clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me!” (page 131). Stanleys orders are assertions of power that he uses to dismiss Stella whenever she speaks at his level. This is once again another method in which Williams presents Stanley’s character to be overpowering of women to represent the working
How and why is the working class of post-war America presented as dominating and powerful through the character of Stanley?
Written Task 2:
In 1931, James Truslow Adams popularized the phrase “American Dream”. He stated that the “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” This phrase surrounded the idea that there is an equality of opportunity which is available to any American, allowing the highest of aspirations and goals to be achieved in their lives. In his book, The Epic of America from 1931, he explained that for many in both the working class and middle class, upward …show more content…
His idea seemed appropriate to pertain to the character of Stanley, in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Throughout the play the audience is …show more content…
Throughout the play, there were several instances in which he demonstrates this, both with Blanche and with Stella. In Scene 2, Stella asks Stanley to do something, he replies with a rhetorical question stating, “Since when do you give me orders” (page 35). He hints at his desire to maintain the pre-war gender hierarchy. This is implied through him hinting to Stella to “keep her place”. Another example of Stanley demonstrating his overpowering of women is in Scene 3, where Stanley “crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table. With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out the window [...] Stanley charges after Stella” (page 62). The following stage directions demonstrate Stanley’s quick temper. Through solely Blanche turning on the radio, a series of events take place, including Stanley’s assault to Stella. This example too, highlights his overpowering of women through domestic violence. The same idea is explored in Scene 8, where Stanley replies to Stella’s command to clear the table by shouting “that’s how I’ll clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me!” (page 131). Stanleys orders are assertions of power that he uses to dismiss Stella whenever she speaks at his level. This is once again another method in which Williams presents Stanley’s character to be overpowering of women to represent the working