PUB 2

 Jourdae Benfante

Professor Brady

3-15-22

Pub 2

The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennesse Williams has a prevalent theme regarding fantasy vs reality and creating an illusion vs facing the truth. An important quote that connects with that in scene 11 reads, " I couldn't go on believing her story and live with Stanley" (Stella, 1232). Which strongly represents how Stella lives in a fantasy world just as Blanche. Stella acknowledges the reality of the situation however she stays in her own comfort because she is in denial about Stanley's truth. Often Stella is battling an internal struggle trying to decide between her husband and her sister. In the end choosing her abusive husband. Psychologically speaking, this may lead the audience to believe Stella shows symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome. 

In the play Stella seems to be having an internal struggle with illusion and the truth. Along with either being on her brash husband's side or her disheveled sisters. Stella is shown putting up with and forgiving Stanley multiple times for all the cruel ways he acts toward her. During scene 3 the play reads “ ‘You lay your hands on me and I'll-’ She backs out of sight. He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow, Stella cries out. Blanche screams and runs into the kitchen. The men rush forward and there is grappling and cursing. Something is overturned with a crash.” (Stella, 57). It is clear that Stanley had a little too much to drink, Stella wanted to end the night and was telling everyone it's time to go. Stanley didn't like that Stella had a voice of her own and he got physical with her in front of everyone. The atmosphere is filled with panic and worry and everyone is frantic. The following scene says “I know how it must have seemed to you and I'm awful sorry it had to happen, but it wasn't anything as serious as you seem to take it…..He didn't know what he was doing…. He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he's really very, very ashamed of himself.” (Stella, 63).  In these lines Stella is being extremely adamant between her and Stanley's relationship. Ironically, Blanche tells Stella to “face the facts”. Stella defends Stanley saying he is very ashamed and he didn't know what he was doing. Meanwhile Stanley plainly abuses and disrespects Stella constantly. As you can see from these lines Stella is living in an illusion. There is clear evidence Stanley is not good for her however in the end she sends Blanche away and continues to live with her husband. To Stella it is easier to blame Blanche than the father of her child because it's easier to hide in the dark than in the light. 

There is a guilt that comes with the sense of truth. Stella shows sympathy in the final scene when she betrays Blanche and sends her to an institution. In a a sense Stella doesnt want to believe that Stanley had raped Blanche. She wants to blame it all on Blanche's instability. This is easier for Stella to cope with then coming to terms with the truth. In scene 11 “I don't know if I did the right thing.” (Stella, 133). Here you can see there is a sense of regret and a sense of reality peaking in. A few lines down Stella says “ ‘Oh, my God, Eunice help me! Don't let them do that to her, don't let them hurt her. Oh, God, oh, please God, don't hurt her. What are they doing to her? What are they doing?’ [She tries to break from Eumce's arms.]” (Stella,140). In addition “What have I done to my sister? Oh, God, what have I done to my sister?” (Stella,141) In these lines it is visible Stella feels awful for betraying her sister. Stella is panicked, emotional and sorrowful. In a way she is almost playing the victim but this is just the consequences of her own actions and her reality/truth of it all. It's almost like Stella is conflicted but still unsurprisingly choses Stanley. 

Relating Stella to outside topics, Stella is obviously in an abusive and toxic relationship. She shows many signs of Stockholm syndrome in regards to her relationship with her husband, Stanley. According to Cleveland Clinic.org “Stockholm syndrome is a coping mechanism to a captive or abusive situation. People develop positive feelings toward their captors or abusers over time.”  A person with Stockholm Syndrome tends to show affection or trust to their abusers. In this case Stella toward Stanley right after the poker scene, “They stare at each other. Then they come together with low, animal moans. He falls to his knees on the steps and presses his face to her belly, curving a little with maternity. Her eyes go blind with tenderness as she catches his head and raises him level with her. He snatches the screen door open and lifts her off her feet and bears her into the dark flat.” (Stella and Stanley, 67). After Stanley causes a whole commotion and puts his hands on Stella she goes right back to him. Shows Stanley affection and it's a cycle. 

Along with showing positive feelings towards their abusers/captors some other symptoms from healthline.com says “The victim develops negative feelings toward police, authority figures, or anyone who might be trying to help them get away from their captor. They may even refuse to cooperate against their captor. The victim begins to perceive their captor’s humanity and believe they have the same goals and values.” In cases the victim tries to defend the abuser. A line from the play reads “I'm not in anything I want to get out of. (Stella, 65). Stella is generally saying she isn't going to put a stop to how things are with Stanley. She isn't necessarily expressing she likes the situation she's in however, she isn't doing anything to get out of it. Stella must be comfortable if she doesn't want to change her life that much. As well as a quote from the play I mentioned in a paragraph above Stella defends Stanley and says he doesn't mean it and he is very ashamed. 

The quote "I couldn't go on believing her story and live with Stanley" (Stella, 1232) speaks volumes. It shows how conflicted Stella is with truth and illusion. She likes the idea of a perfect life with a perfect husband and a family. However, she doesn't want to face the reality of the situation, she lets Blanche down and neither her or Stanley is perfect and they are both deeply flawed. Stella chose to live in the dark with lies and false perception. 

Holland, K. (2019, November 11). Stockholm syndrome: Causes, symptoms, examples. Healthline. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/stockholm-syndrome#symptoms

Reis, K., & Williams, T. (1986). A streetcar named desire.

Stockholm Syndrome: What it is, symptoms & how to treat. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22387-stockholm-syndrome