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Louise Bronner
2017-04-21

Essay – Streetcar
4
...
’
In the light of this statement, explore Williams’ presentation of sex as a destructive
force in A Streetcar Named Desire
...
One of
the main themes throughout the play is destruction, and how the sexual desire presented
through the characters lead up to it
...

Stanley Kowalski, as one of the main protagonists, represents the majority of the
destructiveness throughout the play
...
First of all,
Stanley is driven mainly by the mere thought of sex and obtaining power
...
“Why don’t you
women go up and sit with Eunice?” Stanley is full-blown busy with drinking, playing and
acting powerful through his aggressive behaviour to be concerned with his own wife
...

An element/character that would contradict that statement on the behalf on women rights,
would be Stella Kowalski
...
She
is drawn to his animalistic, dominant manner and it is purely the sexual dynamic between
the two that keeps them together
...
Stella continuously excuses Stanley’s behaviour
as if nothing has happened, which for outer perspectives may be interpreted as acceptance
and actual tolerance of sexism
...


“There are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark
- that sort of make everything else seem – unimportant
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Although through other perspectives - also
the morning after a night spend with her husband
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Williams has conveyed her as a rather weak character,
who is dependent on other’s approval and so scared of being alone that she would do
anything – go any length – in order not to be
...
This draws a significant
link to Williams younger sister Rose, who suffered a severe depression and gradually turned
into a nymphomaniac, desiring sexual activity
...

Blanche’s initial driving force for coming to New Orleans in the first place, was her desperate
desire – which links to the title of the play, considering Blanche jumps upon a Streetcar that
is named ‘Desire’
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She deliberately placed herself as an object
before Stanley, dressing provocatively in a ‘red satin robe’ and flirting massively
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This is a point with which I disagree, since I consider no woman (nor man) as
deserving rape
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“If I didn’t know that you was my wife’s sister I’d get ideas about you!”

It is almost as if she put herself in the situation of the rape taking place, acting innocent in a
rather sexual way
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If there would be a point that would oppose to the statement of sex being a
destructive force, it would be that the rape had nothing to do with mere sex but the male
obtaining power
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I, as a young, modern, feminist critic, agree with Vlasopolos statement – and
regard the play as portraying the oppression of women and believe that Stanley shall be
seen as not a hero but a villain
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This creates a
destruction no human could confront, something above not only the character’s control –
but also Williams
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Then the constant suppression and denial of his homosexuality –
something he could let go of the second he entered New Orleans
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