The Power Of Blanche In A Streetcar Named Desire

Scene 3 of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire shows Blanche utilizing her verbal and intellectual skills to exercise power over Stanley. Blanche’s power in this scene can be considered expert power, as she is using her knowledge and expertise to manipulate Stanley.
Blanche first demonstrates her power by flustering Stanley with her quick wit and eloquent speech. As she lists off her academic achievements, Stanley becomes increasingly agitated:
“STANLEY: Must be quite a change to come from a mansion to a two-room flat. BLANCHE: At least there’s no door slam accompanying your exits, Stanley – which is becoming a very old story with me,” (Scene 3, Page 50). In this quote, Blanche is able to verbally undermine
Stanley’s intelligence and

Her assertion that she is capable of reading his expression, combined with the realization that Stanley had been cheated out of money by one of his friends, gives her further leverage: “BLANCHE: It means that I’ve outstayed my welcome. But don’t look so angry,
Stella. We both have to be realistic, I’m going this afternoon by the four o’clock train. Well, I’m not used to having more than one drink. Two, and Voices start mixing, and I’m not responsible for the things they say. (To Stanley). Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that in her state of mind drunkenness is a defense against her anxieties – a way of forgetting? You callousness,” (Scene 3,
Page 51). Blanche’s ability to manipulate the situation to her benefit ultimately leads to Stanley’s downfall and serves as a testament to her power.
Finally, Blanche uses her power to throw out thinly veiled insults aimed at Stanley’s masculinity. As she describes how war-torn Europe has affected her life, Blanche makes a dig at
Stanley’s physical appearance: “BLANCHE: I was so exhausted by all I’d been through that some of the colour must have gone out of my cheeks. I suppose that’s why I let him – make