Stella DuBois

Analytical Essay # 61202

Drama and Theater > American
English > Analysis
Literature > American

Stella DuBois

An analysis of Stella DuBois' pragmatism in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams.

1,340 words () | 0 sources | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how an examination of Stella's reactions and decisions at key points in the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" shows her to be a pragmatist who has long ago given up the "beautiful dream" of her sister Blanche. It also examines how neither Stella nor her relationship with Stanley change greatly during the story even though Stella's ties to Stanley and the stability of their tumultuous marriage are confirmed and reinforced.

From the Paper:

"Stella's decision to maintain the status quo is reinforced by her reaction to Stanley's cruel birthday gift to Blanche. After Blanche runs to the bedroom vomiting, Stella merely says to him, "You didn't need to do that. ... Why did you do this to her?" (p. 111). As Stanley begins to justify his behavior, Stella's "look goes suddenly inward as if some interior voice had called her name" (p. 111). This "voice" turns out to be her unborn child, as she has entered labor. Just as Williams emphasizes Stella's maternity after Stanley's physical abuse, the baby's impending birth here aborts any chance of change in their marital relationship."