A-grade essay exploring the presentation of Stella and Blanche's relationship within A Streetcar Named Desire. Stella and Blanche's familial bond is deteriorated due the conflict Stanley creates with Blanche.
Explore the presentation of Stella and Blanche’s relationship within ASCND
Within ‘ASCND’ Stella and Blanche’s relationship illustrates a familial bond as they both show sisterly
love and compassion towards each other. However, due to the conflict between Stanley who is an
embodiment of the New South and Blanche who is the embodiment of the Old South their relationship
soon deteriorates as Stella has to choose between the two. Evidently, this deterioration of Stella and
Blanche’s familial bond contextually reflects the harsh reality of the new post-war America as
relationships did not last during this period. Perhaps, through the deterioration of Stella and Blanche’s
relationship Williams reflects upon his own struggles in maintaining a relationship with his sister Rose.
Most notably at the start of the play there is a strong platonic bond between Stella and Blanche as when
they reunite ‘for a moment they stare at each other. The Blanche springs up and runs to her with a wild
cry’. Here, through the hyperbolic language entwined in the stage directions the serenity and unity of
their relationship is portrayed as ‘for a moment they stare at each other’ illustrates Stella and Blanche
were in awe of each other’s presence. Moreover, through the verb ‘springs’ and adjective ‘wild’
Blanche’s passion and enthusiasm to be in Stella’s presence is highlighted. Overall, the never-ending and
cyclical bond between the sisters in demonstrated. This idea is further emphasized through Blanche’s
role as an older sister as she expressed ‘my baby! Stella! Stella for star’ and refers to Stella as a ‘precious
lamb’. Here, through the epithet of ‘baby’ entwined with the possessive pronoun ‘my’ Blanche deems
Stella as feeble and innocent in comparison thus suggesting she is needed to be looked after.
Alternatively, the epithet ‘baby’ is rather exclusive and intimate which demonstrates the unique bond
between the sisters. Furthermore, through the animal imagery of ‘precious lamb’ Stella’s meekness and
gentleness is portrayed which juxtaposes to Blanche’s eccentric and strident characterization as seen
through the explanative ‘!’. Evidently, this juxtaposition of Blanche and Stella’s characterization
exemplifies their unity as they benefit from what one another lacks.
Another way in which Stella’s compassion for Blanche within their relationship is demonstrating is
through her protective nature as Stella subverts the stereotypical role of a women within 1940’s
America as passive and subservient to their husband when she expresses ‘Don’t be such an idiot
Stanley!’. Here, through the epithet ‘idiot’ Stella’s disgust with Stanley is established as she
encompasses a demoralizing tone towards him. This demoralizing tone within 1940’s America would
have been deeply precarious for Stella as in 1940’s America domestic abuse was the norm. Perhaps,
through Stella’s sacrifice Williams highlights the sibling bond between him and his sister Rose as he
often engaged in risky situations in order to take care of her.
Despite Blanche’s compassion for Stella she frequently belittles Stella in order to feel superior to her as
she expressed ‘you’ve put on some weight, yes, you’re as plump a little partridge…you’ve split
something on that pretty white lace collar!’. Here, through this asydentic listing a demoralizing tone is
demonstrated as the simile ‘as plump as a little patridge’ could be interpreted as dehumanizing to Stella;
Blanche degrades Stella’s worth on the basis of her physical appearance. Perhaps, Williams was
criticizing Blanche’s Southern Belle values here as like Stella Williams’ sister Rose was belittled by her
Southern Belle mother Edwina who felt she had an aristocratic pedigree so often belittled Rose to
become the paradigm of a Southern Belle. Moreover, the colour imagery of ‘you’ve split something on
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