A Streetcar Named Desire

1. In literary terms, the darkness is a place of comfort, it is where someone goes to hide in the shadows of truth and generate illusions for themselves that gives them the strength to survive each day. In Tennessee William’s play A Streetcar Named Desire, Stella is trapped in this metaphorical darkness and is blinded by the absolute truth of her husband’s barbaric behavior. In regards to her sister Blanche’s accusations of Stanley sexually assaulting her, Stella proclaims “I couldn’t go on believing her story and living with Stanley” (Stella, 1232). This quote exhibits her true denial and inability to differentiate the reality of the situation from the perfect image she has of her husband. Abuse is classified as: to treat with cruelty or violence, throughout the play Stanley exemplifies multiple examples of verbal and physical abuse towards not only Blanche but to Stella herself, therefore leading readers to believe that domestic violence is a reoccurring problem in the relationship. 
   
   During the poker scene Stanley shows extreme vexation when he grasps the radio off the table and throws it out of the window followed by Stella crying out “Drunk-drunk-animal thing you! All of you- please go home! If any of you have one spark of decency in you-” (Stella, 1190). In response to Stella’s demands Stanley charges toward her and hits her in a drunken rage. This misconduct is clear evidence of domestic violence in Stanley’s behavior and his impotence to control his temper. Later that night when he sobered up and came to the realization of what he had done Stanley called up Eunice begging to speak with Stella. Full of regret he cries out, “Stella! My baby dolls left me!” (Stanley, 1191). Frustrated with his words Eunice replies to his begging explaining that “You can’t beat on a woman an’ then call’er back! She won’t come! And her goin’t have a baby! You stinker! You whelp of a Polack, you! I hope they do haul you in and turn the fire hose on you, same as the last time!” (Eunice, 1192) clearly Eunice’s words hint that this abuse has happened before and is a reoccurring problem. Stanley’s malicious behavior towards Stella at this time can be seen as especially heinous due to the fact that she is pregnant. The Nation Domestic Hotline asserts that approximately 1.5 million women are assaulted each year as a result of domestic violence and around 324,000 cases occur during pregnancy (Robinson 3). Stella’s reaction to Stanley’s begging is a concrete example of how the cycle of his abuse continues; with Stanley begging for her forgiveness she opens the door implying her forgiveness for what he has done therefore giving him the opportunity to repeat this abusive behavior in the future.

2. In many cases of domestic violence women who are abused by a significant other or spouse tend to stay in their relationships no matter how treacherous the environment for a number of reasons. For example, many victims stay with their abusers out of embarrassment for what others may think of them, or for the simple fact that they are unaware that the relationship and the abuse are unhealthy. The next morning after the commotion Blanche approaches Stella about the incident, perplexed by Stella’s actions she asks, “All right, Stella. I will repeat the question quietly now. How could you come back in this place last night? Why, you must have slept with him!” (Blanche, 1194). In a nonchalant manor Stella replies, “Blanche, I’d forgotten how excitable you are. You’re making much too much fuss about this” (Stella, 1194). Clearly Stella is in a state of denial by diminishing the significance of her husband’s actions. In utter shock of Stanley’s behavior and fear for her sister, Blanche begs Stella to get out of the relationship although being a victim of abuse Stella sees no reason to flee. In Stella’s eyes Stanley is on a high pedestal and could do no wrong, she explains to Blanche, “I’m not in anything I want to get out of” (Stella, 1194). At this point Stella is lost down the rabbit hole of her fantasy that she and Stanley have the picture perfect relationship everyone hopes to achieve, she is so unimaginably consumed by the darkness that she is blind from reality. 

   
   

   Stella’s desperate inherited desire for love and her inability to see the light truly shine in scene 11 when Stanley commits the most ominous crime a man can perpetrate by forcing himself upon Blanche as the two of them are alone in the apartment. Throughout the play Stanley is distinctly seen as malicious, violent, and manipulative and although Stella is perfectly aware of this behavior she still chooses to believe him over her own sister. “I couldn’t go on believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella, 1232) Stella rather convince herself that her sister could create such a colossal lie than to step into the light and expose the harsh reality of her relationship and the man she has married. In the end, it’s all just an illusion.

   
   

   Robinson, Kathryn. "Pregnancy and Abuse: How to Stay Safe for Your 9 Months." TheHotline.org. 23 July 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.