Collin Bolles

Ms. Kean/Holcomb
20th century lit
10/12/14
A Streetcar Named Desire Psychoanalytic Literary Theory Essay
Stanley's experience in the war has caused his morality to be scorched with hot iron
making it almost defective causing his body to rule over himself , which has resulted in a
degenerate mind which causes pain to everyone around him. Stanley's morality has been on the
down side for a very long time but to add to that Stella in awe of him because of war. An
example is when she tell blanch A master sergeant in the engineers Corps. Those are
decorations!(williams 18)
Once you kill your first 10 Germans its like nothing no shaking like when you killed your
first. After Stanley's experience with war he wasn't the same ,but numbed. Numbed to right and
wrong causing his body to rule over him directing him where to go and what to do. He drinks
and smokes and chases sex to follow his body who has put him into slavery.
One thing that gives Stanly power is when stella brags about Stanley to Stella in this quote A
master sergeant in the engineers Corps. those are decorations!(williams 18)
Stella also knows that war is not something to be swooned by when she says Stella: I assure you
I wasnt just blinded by all the brass (williams 18)
Stanley body doesn't just take over in the areas of instant gratification ,but in the areas
of social interactions. one example of is when Stanly first meets Blanche he is very coarse to her
not even attempt to soften his words. This example really exemplifies that because Stanley is a

slave to his body his body even speaks on his behalf. The poor condition of Stanley's mind is
pitiful.
From Stanley's red hot heart flows a brownish cesspool of sewage that has been rising up
and, spewing out of his decaying black mouth into vile speech which is seen here:
G-damn , its hot in here with the steam from the bathroom. (williams 134)
While he curses his God once there he does it again here
You're G-damn right i told him!(williams 126)
Which shows the condition of stanley's heart. When you see a cockroach in a house that just a sign
that there is way more bugs out of sight than in sight .Which is the same with Stanley's speech
,theres more filth in his heart than in his language.
Stanleys actions have not only ruined his life ,But his actions have spoiled the lives of
others.One horrid example of Stanly actions spoilings someones life is when he rapes Blanche
and before hand says,
Oh! So you want some rough-house! All right, lets have some rough-house!(Williams )
This also shows a pattern of stanley's disregard for womankind which is also show when
he says, Remember what Huey Long said- Every Man is a King! And i am the king
Around here, so dont forget it!(williams ) These are clearly pointing to Stanley's decay
as a human being.
Stanleys whole life has been charged with childish, selfish behavior ; built up
from his years in the war. His actions have also resulted in the overall destruction of
many women's lives including blanche and stella. These actions have eroded the very
core of Stanley's spirit which will if untreated will result in death. Stanley's plagued

existence has been a very sad example of when you let experince, like war control you.
Then after it has its grip on you then it will grip on to others poisoning them also.