Mrs Griffifths

How is Gender and Sexuality Covered in Scene One of ‘A Street Car Named Desire’?

Williams explores a diverse range of perspectives on gender and sexuality in the play. He tackles many topics that, at the time the play was written, were considered very controversial. However, in scene one specifically, the main theme appears to be gender roles.

Aspects that were covered/ raised during scene one-

~Williams uses stage directions to imply stereotypically characterised genders. For instance, Blanche and Stella were described as ‘delicate’, ‘dainty’ and ‘gentle’; whereas Stanley was depicted as ‘animal’-like. (And whilst Williams applies zoomorphism to most significant characters in ‘Streetcar’, the ‘hound’ Stanley is later referred to as greatly contrasts Blanche’s ‘moth’-like qualities.

~Williams also utilises colours and their representations to illustrate Blanche’s tarnished purity. He does this by introducing her as 'dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice’, a ‘necklace and ear-rings of pearl, white gloves’ and a ’hat'. This dramatic quantity of white appears symbolic of purity and innocence yet as we see Blanche’s character develop and understand her more, we know she is none of these things. Williams demonstrates/ foreshadows this by having Blanche stain her ‘pretty white lace collar’.

~Williams also compares the roles of genders in society and what are expected of them by having the supposedly feminine ‘self-control’ of Stella juxtapose the masculine, platitudinous ‘animal joy’ and ‘weak indulgences’ of Stanley.