A Streetcar Named Desire Research Paper

Appearances are how not only others see someone, but also how they see themselves. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire the author, Tennessee Williams, develops a theme of the importance of appearance through multiple literary elements. The characters appearances relate largely to who they are as a person, and this helps to develop the entire story.

People like to be seen in special ways, and they often try very hard to control how people see them. Blanche DuBois, a main character in the play, likes people to see her as a young, beautiful, and classy woman, and she goes through drastic measures to make this happen. In the story Blanche says, "Now, then, let me look at you. But don't you look at me... And turn that over- light off!

Stanley's masculinity is often shown through his conflict with others, he is known for acting violent and irrationally. This is shown in the stage directions when it says, "Stanley stalks fiercely through the portieres into the bedroom. He crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table. With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out the window... He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow,"(Williams 3. 56-57). Stanley appears manly and he highlights this through his use of brute force and creating conflicts. This façade of manliness is important to him, as he goes to extreme measures to show people that he is big and tough. Tone is also by Stanley to show his masculinity. Stanley is known for speaking loudly and with power. This is shown when he says, "Don't ever talk that way to me! 'Pig—Polack—disgusting—vulgar—greasy!' -- them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister's too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said -- 'Every Man is a King!' And I am the kind around her, so don't forget it!" (Williams 8. 116). In this scene Stanley is showing his strength and manliness through the tone of the words he says. As a man Stanley believes he deserves more respect because of his gender. His want and need to appear

Stella is constantly finding the good inside everyone, including her manipulative sister and abusive husband. From the beginning of the story until nearly the end Stella was making excuses for Blanche whenever Stanley would call her out on her constant lying. The story says "There's plenty of time to ask her questions later but if you do now she'll go to pieces again. I don't understand what happened to Belle Reve but you don't know how ridiculous you are being when you suggest that my sister or I or anyone of our family could have perpetrated a swindle on anyone else," (Williams 2. 29). This quote shows the trust and forgiveness that Stella has for her sister as she continuously makes up excuses for her. This trust that Stella has for her older sister is very shocking considering the constant insults and belittling Blanche throws towards Stella. In the end of the story Stella stops standing up for Blanche and instead takes the side of her equally manipulative husband. In the play Stella states, "I couldn't believe her story and go on living with Stanley,"(Williams 11. 144). Stella has decided to finally take Stanley's side at one of the worst possible moments. Blanche informed Stella that Stanley had raped her but once again Stella has decided to see the best in her husband and believes that her husband could never do anything quite as atrocious as raping