In order …show more content…
In that manner, the relationships between Stella and Stanley is much different than that of Blanche and Mitch. Stanley and Stella’s relationship exemplifies a pre-World War II society when Stanley says, “I am the king around here, so don't forget it!”(Tennessee Williams 131). Their relationship is focused around the basis that it is a mans world and Stella is lucky enough to live in it. In contrast, the relationship between Blanche and Mitch demonstrates people beginning to adapt to new societal norms, for example, Mitch states, “...I felt all the time that I wasn’t giving you much-entertainment”(Williams 101). Mitch’s goal of entertaining Blanche bears witness to a man attempting to adapt with a society of equality for men and …show more content…
However, in her relationship with Mitch, she thirsts for a relationship of equality, which would exemplify a norm of a post-World War II era. Blanches’ struggle to evolve with society is evident when she states, “I was just obeying the law of nature… The one that says the lady must entertain the gentleman-or no dice!”(Williams 101). Blanche still feels as though it is her prerogative to “entertain” the man, especially as she gets older and becomes a self-described old maid. In contrast, Blanche expects to be treated with equality by Mitch. Mitch begins to embrace Blanche against her will and she sternly says to him, “I said unhand me, sir… Now, Mitch. Just because Stanley and Stella aren’t home is no reason why you shouldn’t behave like a gentleman”(Williams 108). There are a multitudinous amount of interpretations for Blanche saying that to Mitch. Blanche expects equality in her relationship to Mitch, or her “old-fashioned ideals”(Williams 108), are causing her to take her relationship with Mitch slow. One can interpret that Blanche expects Mitch to treat her as an equal and act as a gentleman, despite her conforming to pre-World War II social norms for