Stanley a Streetcar Named Desire

1365 Words6 Pages
In Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire, main antagonist, Stanley Kowalski, can be described as an unrefined alpha male. Unlike the other characters, which we have somewhat of a background on, we only have his every day actions and words to judge him upon. The conflict of the play arises when Mrs. Kowalski’s sister, Blanche stays at their flat. Stanley's defining actions in the play all stem from his hatred for Blanche, who he sees as a threat to his normal way of living life and his relationship with his wife. What Stanley wants more than anything is for his world to go back to the way it was before Blanche arrived and he is willing to do anything in order for that to happen, even destroy her. As the tragedy unfolds the different aspect of Stanley’s character are revealed. From his introduction, his actions as he deals with the growing tension within his household, and through the eyes of those around him. In his stage directions, Williams goes into great detail when he describes Stanley to the reader. Stanley is introduced to us as man of medium stature being "strongly compactly built" (Williams 29). His physical appearance is one that commands presence, and excludes arrogance. His build influences also his personality, and motivations which aren't very complex. He wants to be able to do what he wants, when we wants, how he wants it, just as his strength enables him to. The result is the basis for all of his actions in the play. He will be aggressive, impulsive, and tyrannical. As a result it is easy to understand why he acts, but his actions are unpredictable. He is an alpha male, and a real animal. He enjoys getting what he wants, and what he wants are the most basic and material of things. "Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women...with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens" (Williams
Open Document