Home > A Streetcar Named Desire Summary & Study Guide > A Streetcar Named Desire Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   parkerlee Teacher
   

   eNotes Editor

   For Stanley, desire corresponds to the basic male sex drive, a purely physical instinct, coupled with the macho need to dominate. This 'urge to merge' has nothing to do with the notions of romance and love which Blanche entertains. 

   Blanche's arrival throws Stanley momentarily off balance not only because her presence is an intrusion on the couple's privacy but also because Blanche challenges Stanley's worth as a satisfactory mate for Stella. Surely her sister has married "beneath her." Besides this, Blanche also dares to maintain the pretention of being a virtuous lady (as "white" as her name), whereas Stanley learns otherwise later on. He throws this fact back in her face, tears up her paper lantern as part of her dissimulation, but the worst is yet to come.  While Stella is in labour at hospital, he rapes Blanche - out of brute lust but also vengeance. This act brings Blanche down off her high horse and shows her to be the "easy lay" she really is.

   The last scene is nevertheless redemptive. After Blanche's departure as the streetcar named "Desire" promptly comes round again, its bells tinkling, Stanley and Stella's couple seems to find its delicate balance again.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/streetcar/sex-violence-streetcar-na...

   http://www.enotes.com/streetcar/themes

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by parkerlee on Friday November 14, 2008 at 11:17 PM