According to Cardullo, Stanley rapes Blanche “because he has been physically attracted to her from the start and has been encouraged by her at least one occasion, and is able to fuel his desire with knowledge of her checkered past in Laurel.”
The rape of Blanche DuBois is a sad yet complex story element to break down. From Blanche’s arrival in New Orleans her and Stanley have been butting heads. They clearly do not get along as well as Stella had hoped. Yet, there is a strange feeling in the air every time they are around each other. What is it? Well according to Cardullo the feeling that arises everytime they are together must be physical attraction and desire. He states in his comprehension of Streetcar that, “because he has been physically attracted to her from the start and has …show more content…
I agree that Stanley and Stella are attracted to each other, I personally find that to be almost undebatable. Where I draw the line in the sand though is at the part where Cardullo says he has been encouraged. At no point in this story do I feel that Blanche intentionally teased or encouraged Stanley to come on to her. There were scenes where I can understand how things can be misconstrued and taken out of context, like when Blanche asks Stanley to button up her dress. While this may not be the most appropriate thing for Blanche to do, I do not believe she did it to entice Stanley. When she and Stanley are standing behind the drapes and Blanche is asking Stanley how she looks, he replies with, “You look alright” (37) and Blanche says “Many thanks! Now the buttons!” (37). Neither of those characters responses seem to be very flirtatious or inviting. Both appear to be rather nonschelant about the situation, if there was desire like Cardullo says I think they would be more flirty. She simply needed help getting her dress closed. These insignificant and inappropriate actions lead to Stanley having a desire for Blanche. Blanche’s past is clustered with
The rape of Blanche DuBois is a sad yet complex story element to break down. From Blanche’s arrival in New Orleans her and Stanley have been butting heads. They clearly do not get along as well as Stella had hoped. Yet, there is a strange feeling in the air every time they are around each other. What is it? Well according to Cardullo the feeling that arises everytime they are together must be physical attraction and desire. He states in his comprehension of Streetcar that, “because he has been physically attracted to her from the start and has …show more content…
I agree that Stanley and Stella are attracted to each other, I personally find that to be almost undebatable. Where I draw the line in the sand though is at the part where Cardullo says he has been encouraged. At no point in this story do I feel that Blanche intentionally teased or encouraged Stanley to come on to her. There were scenes where I can understand how things can be misconstrued and taken out of context, like when Blanche asks Stanley to button up her dress. While this may not be the most appropriate thing for Blanche to do, I do not believe she did it to entice Stanley. When she and Stanley are standing behind the drapes and Blanche is asking Stanley how she looks, he replies with, “You look alright” (37) and Blanche says “Many thanks! Now the buttons!” (37). Neither of those characters responses seem to be very flirtatious or inviting. Both appear to be rather nonschelant about the situation, if there was desire like Cardullo says I think they would be more flirty. She simply needed help getting her dress closed. These insignificant and inappropriate actions lead to Stanley having a desire for Blanche. Blanche’s past is clustered with