Character of Stanley
- Created by: xjosie14
- Created on: 28-11-20 17:12
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- Stanley Kowalski
- Context
- Williams mimics classical tragedy by not showing the actual **** - not acceptable for stage in the 1940s
- Williams arguably based Stanley on his father, and other men that tormented him.
- Play connects with the new idea of American realism that developed in the Depression after WWII - Stanley was in the army and tries to live in post war America
- Key Quotes
- "People from Poland are Poles, not Polacks. But what I am is one hundred percent American, born and raised in the greatest country on earth and proud as hell of it, so don't ever call me a Polack."
- "when you're under the Napoleonic code I'm swindled too. And I don't like to be swindled."
- Stell-laaaaah!"
- "Something ape-like about him!"
- "I am the king around here"
- "I've been onto you from the start!"
- Critical Interpretations
- Post Modernism
- Changes in the acceptance of forgiveness - Stella forgives Stanley as she loves him so much she moves past it. Blanche couldn't find this in her relationships as they did not have requited love.
- Feminist Approach
- Un-even male and female balance of power represents the treatment of women in 1940s America. Blanche and Stella need a man to survive - Blanche decays on her own.
- Post Modernism
- A04 Links
- Marlon Brando's representation of Stanley
- Seen as too "sensitive" and engaging and audience actually identifies with his feelings about Blanche
- The Great Gatsby. Scott F. Fitzgerald
- George Wilson - both lower class married men. Whilst George looks up to the higher class, envying them, Stanley acts against them.
- In the end, both characters end up destroying the higher classes.
- Tom Buchanan - both the dominant male in the household, with animalistic characteristics and appearances.
- The American Dream
- Gatsby almost achieves this, he gets the riches and the lifestyle - but not his childhood dream of Daisy.
- Stanley almost achieves it too, except he can't quite top Stella's previous riches.
- George Wilson - both lower class married men. Whilst George looks up to the higher class, envying them, Stanley acts against them.
- Marlon Brando's representation of Stanley
- Character Overview
- epitome of vital force
- Represents the new diverse America
- Strong believer in realism and practicality
- doesn't have patience for Blanche's romantic, deluded view of the world
- Irony - he is a proud family man, yet he ****s his sister in law and abuses his wife
- Analysis
- Stanley's address - Elysian Fields is also the name of the ancient Greek afterlife. Stanley is uncivilised and primitive - he is at home there.
- Napoleonic Code - exposes his conflict with Blanche is focused on gender. His greed is symbolic of his misogyny - he feels as if he owns Stella and owns her inheritance.
- Bellows Stella's name - like an injured animal calling for its mate.
- Discordant sounds play as Stanley's violence escalates
- Context
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