A Streetcar Named Desire

Struggle for Identity- Sexual Identity.

-- [with reference to Stanley, Scene One]: ‘… gaudy seed bearer.

He sizes women up at a glance.’ His crude perception of women
as nothing more than sexual object defines Stanley in one- he is
blunt, forthright and arrogant and is not afraid judge others openly.

-- [Stanley to Blanche]: ‘Do you mind if I take off my shirt? (He

starts to remove his shirt.)’ Stanley is direct, and is obviously
proud of his masculinity and male ‘assets’. He opposes Blanche’s
old- fashioned views of how men and women should behave-
[Blanche to Stanley]: ‘Close the curtains before you undress
any further.’- which suggests that she thinks women should be
treated with respect and should not be exposed to obscenities. This
also contrasts with Stanley’s complete lack of respect for women as
human beings.

-- [Stanley, with reference to Blanche]: ‘So that’s the deal, huh?

Sister Blanche cannot be bothered with business details
right now!’ His sarcastic tone shows disdain and anger at his
sister-in-law. Stanley shows very little concern for Blanche’s opinion-
or anyone else’s- and demeans her by ignoring or opposing her
comments. He also shows an air of ignorance and unnecessary
anger at this point, which links to the ‘caveman’ illusion. The lack
of acknowledgement for Blanche’s fragile, self- centred state shows
a connection to Blanche’s fear and apprehension around him,
contributing to her spiral into madness.