Sexuality In A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire has often been referred to as an important step in the history of cinema. The film, based on the play of the same name by Tennessee Williams, was a very controversial topic when it was filmed. The film had taboo ideas that were introduced, for example, domestic violence, female sexuality and rape. This essay will focus on the female sexuality aspect, specifically focusing on how societies expectations are influencing sexuality during the filming and how the characters use sexuality as a tool to control. Sexuality is represented through many forms, Stanley, Blanche and also Stella.

Sexuality is represented through Stanley, who is symbolic of the male population, who is allowed to be openly sexual and dominant but Stanley uses this as a control “Stanley uses his sexuality and aggression to assert his dominance in his household” (Shmoop Editorial Team). Society accepts sexual violence caused by the male of the house. This is shown through the appearance of the ‘blue piano’, which is a symbol for sensuality and sexuality, Stanley’s beating of Stella and the fighting between Eunice and Steve. …show more content…
In Tennesse’s play the stage directions state that “They are men… as course and direct and powerful as the primary colours” (1947). The men with their coloured shirts dominate over the pale colours that the women wear, like Blanche, whos name means white in french, wears her white dress with moth holes in. The men are playing poker under the bright lights while the women are in the dim lit bedroom, hidden behind a