How Is Stanley Presented In A Streetcar Named Desire

Character Analysis: Stanley Kowalski

It is often said that men want to dominate women. Stanley Kowalski is a great example of this. This is shown through his actions, and the things he says about women. In “A streetcar named desire” by Tennessee Williams, the reader is introduced to Stanley Kowalski. He has a wife named Stella, and sister-in-law named Blanche. Stanley is a very sexual man.
His sexual nature is even felt when he makes his 1st appearance. “Stanley: Catch! Stella: What? Stanley: Meat!” (Williams 4). The throwing of the meat symbolizes his sexual passion for his wife. The things Stella says about Stanley also reveals his sexual prowess. “When he’s away for a week, I nearly go wild!” (Williams 25). Stella’s longing for Stanley while he is gone really demonstrates how close they are, but it also shows her longing for sexual pleasure from him. Stanley’s sexuality changes a woman’s perception of him. “But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark- that sort of make everything else seem- unimportant.” (Williams 70). Stanley uses subtle tactics when approaching a woman sexually. “My clothes’re stickin’ to me. Do you mind if I make myself comfortable?” (Williams 28). Him asking her this is a tactic, he wants to see how far she will go. Despite all of Stanley’s sexual tendencies, we haven’t even scratched the

Williams demonstrates this through the choices Stanley makes. He yells at Stella and Blanche. He even tells his friend Mitch what to do and when to do it. But, Williams truly saved the best for last. He shows the best example of Stanley’s desire for dominance when he rapes Blanche. “[She moans. The bottle-top falls. She sinks to her knees. He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed. The hot trumpet and drums from the Four Deuces sound loudly.]” (Williams 162). Stanley had to show Blanche his dominance of his household. He refuses to relinquish his control over his