A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Feminity

Tennessee Williams presents femininity as a complex and multidimensional concept in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
The play explores the idea of femininity from various angles, each character embodying/carrying different aspects of womanhood.
Endurance, dependence, manipulation, romanticism and the struggle for female independence and freedom are all powerful themes linked to femininity.

Blanche DuBois: Symbolises femininity within the traditional framework of vulnerability and fragility. Her need for male attention and supports has roots in the societal expectations of her time.
Stella Kowalski: Sits in between traditional and emerging definitions of femininity. She is submissive yet independent, capable of enduring male dominance while also craving an equal partnership.
Eunice Hubbell: Represents an ordinary woman, who, despite her vulnerable position, possesses an incredible strength to deal with life’s hardships.

“I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.” - Blanche DuBois. These lines reflect Blanche’s vulnerability and her attempt to uphold her genteel femininity.
“I don’t want realism.” - Blanche DuBois. This line denotes her rejection of harsh realities, embodying the escapist side of her femininity, which desires a more magical, romantic world.
“He’s good, ain’t he? Good an’ healthy! Course I’m not cut out to be a mother.” - Eunice Hubbell. These lines present Eunice as a reflection of the realities of womanhood.

Williams uses symbolism to underscore themes of femininity. For instance, Blanche’s attachment to things of beauty, like the paper lantern, symbolizes the fading beauty and delicacy of her femininity.
The diction and tone used by the female characters indicate their different embodying of femininity. Blanche’s sophisticated and romantic language contrasts sharply with Eunice’s simple, raw, colloquial speech.
Staging and lighting expertly convey the vulnerability of female characters. For example, Blanche is often associated with lower, softer lighting that augments her fragility and need for shelter.

Keep these points in mind as they will provide backbone to your explorations of the theme of femininity in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’