A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Marriage

Understanding Marriage in the Play

Marriage is presented as an institution that allows Stanley Kowalski to display his dominant, controlling nature while simultaneously revealing Stella’s submissive character.
Stella and Stanley’s marriage is a key part of their identities, with Stella showing a degree of dependency on Stanley due to her pregnancy and their socio-economic circumstances.
Blanche uses Stella’s marriage to Stanley as a means to depict the distinctions between the old and new South, with the traditional world disapproving of Stanley’s animalistic behaviour and Stella’s tolerance of it.

Key Quotes

Stella: “I’m not in anything I want to get out of.” This highlights Stella’s acceptance of her life, signifying her contentment in marriage regardless of Stanley’s animalistic tendencies.
Stanley: “I am the king around here, so don’t forget it.” This underscores Stanley’s sense of entitlement, suggesting that he views marriage as an institution that bolsters male dominance.
Blanche: “He acts like an animal, has an animal’s habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one!” Here, Blanche shows her disdain for Stanley’s behaviour, reflecting the class conflict and societal norms associated with marriage in the South.

Themes

Manhood and Masculinity: Stanley’s actions in his marriage showcase his need for control and dominance, mirroring the societal expectations of masculinity. This contrasts with Blanche’s view of masculinity as a more refined, chivalrous quality.
Dependency: Stella’s seeming acceptance of Stanley’s behaviour underlies her dependency on the marriage for emotional, economic, and social stability.
Class Conflict: The differing views on Stella’s marriage between Blanche and Stella reveal the deep-seated class tensions in society, with Blanche’s disapproval representing the disillusionment of the upper class with the societal changes.

Literary Style and Devices

Foreshadowing: Stanley’s brutish behaviour and Stella’s unwavering acceptance hint at the inevitability of Blanche’s downfall.
Symbolism: The poker game represents Stanley’s dominance and control in his marriage, highlighting the power struggle between sexes.
Tennessee Williams’s use of dialogue effectively unravels the societal views on marriage with Blanche’s high-pitched critique of Stanley’s behaviour starkly contrasting Stella’s casual acceptance.
Dramatic irony is employed when Blanche warns Stella about Stanley’s animalistic attributes, unbeknownst to her that Stella is aware of them, indicating Stella’s conscious choice to stay in an unhealthy married life for her stability.

This analysis provides a deeper insight into the theme of marriage in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. It is vital to integrate these points cohesively into your essay to provide a comprehensive understanding.