CHARACTERIZATION IN ‘A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE’
Stanley’s Character
Scene I
Stanley’s appearance, is the same throughout the play. [Stanley Kowalski … about
twenty-eight…, roughly dressed in blue denim clothes]
When Stanley is first presented in the play he is portrayed as confident, strong and full of
pride.

“[He is of medium height, about five feet eight or nine, and strongly,
compactly built… his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and
taking of it, not weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and
pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.]”
Scene II
The blue piano, is often played when Stanley is around, which is a reminder of the spirit
of life which goes on. [Stanley enters the kitchen from outside, leaving the door open on
the perpetual ‘blue piano’ around the corner]
Stanley, is very aware of gender roles, “In the state of Louisiana we have the Napoleonic
code according to which what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband and vice versa”
Stanley is also shows jealousy, suspicion and anger when he sees Blanche’s suitcase
contents

“Look at these feather and furs that she come here to preen herself in!”,
Stanley is so suspicious that he wants someone to come and investigate the value of the
items
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“I got an acquaintance who deals in this sort of merchant-dise. I’ll have him in
here to appraise it.”.
Stanley shows aggression towards the value of Blanche’s items

[He hurls the furs to the daybed. Then he jerks open a small drawer in the trunk
and pulls up a fistful of costume jewellery]
Scene III
Stanley, quickly gets aggressive after consuming alcohol [He lurches up and tosses some
watermelon rinds on the floor]
Stanley appears dominant and superior in this scene during their poker game. Stanley is
in charge of the situation as it takes place in his house. Stanley does not appear neither
caring or respectful for either the women nor his friends.

“Stanley: Get y’r ass off the table, Mitch. Nothing belongs on a poker table but
cards, chips and whiskey… [He lurches up and tosses some watermelon rinds to
the floor.]”
Stanley has a moment of sympathy for Mitch, when Mitch confronts him with the fact
that his mother is ill. Stanley encourages Mitch to go home and take care of her, instead
of participating in their poker night.

“Stanley: Then why don’t you stay home with her? … Aw, for the sake of Jesus,
go home, then!”
Stanley’s moment of caring does not last very long, as he strikes Stella at the end of the
scene, knowing that she is pregnant with their baby.

“Stella: You lay your hands on me and I’ll- [He advances and disappears. There
is the sound of a blow. Stella cries out.
Scene IV
Stanley, is very good at keeping his temper when he wants to. After Blanche told Stellla
that Stanley was a dangerous animal. Stanley pretends that he didn't hear anything, while
in reality he was preparing to get revenge

“Hey! Hey! Stella!”.This also represents the turning point between the
relationship of Blanche and Stanley.
Scene V
After Stanley was described as an animal by Blanche, his language towards her has
changed, he told Blanche

“you won’t pick up nothing here you ain’t picked up before”
Scene VI
This scene takes place between Mitch and Blanche and does not show any significant
relevance to Stanley.
Scene VII
On Blanche’s birthday, he is particularly cruel to her. Blanche was bathing, on a hot day
and he tells Stella

“And you run out an’ get her cokes, I suppose? And serve ‘em to Her Majesty in
the tub?” - To Stella
He also researched Blanche and found out everything he can about her
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“Flamingo! A second-class hotel which has the advantage of not interfering in the
private social life of the personalities there”- to Stella
“Regarded as not just different but downright loco -nuts” to Stella
“She’s practically told by the mayor to get out of town”- to Stella
“She is not going back to teach school!” to Stella
“A seventeen-year-old by -she’d gotten mixed up with!”
While he was describing Blanche, he had a very proud tone, similar to victory.
Scene VIII
During the birthday supper [“Stanley looks sullen”], portrays the tension between him
and Blanche. During the past few scenes the tension has built up and Stanley’s hatred for
Blanche is showing more by the minute.
Stanley’s aggressive and “animal” side is also shown as he pays no attention to Blanche’s
story, but is only focused on the food.

“Stanley pays no attention to the story but reaches way over the table to spear his
fork into the remaining chop which he eats with his fingers.”
Stanley’s disrespect is further shown as he smashes his plate on the floor in pure anger, as
he believes that Stella is disrespecting ‘the man of the house’.

“Stanley: “Pig- Polack- disgusting- vulgar- greasy!”- them kind of words have
been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two
think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said- “Every Min is
a King!””
This shows how Stanley feels threatened about his position, and he wants to reclaim full
charge of the house.
Stanley also gave Blanche a ticket back to Laurel on the Greyhound. This shows his
cruelty and lack of respect for Blanche, but further emphasizes his power in the
household.
Scene IX
Another conversation between Mitch and Blanche. Mitch doesn't want to be with Blanche
because Stanley, told Mitch about her past. As a result Mitch told Blanche

“You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother”
Scene X
The stage directions at the beginning of the scene show that Stanley has a proud low
whistle, feeling good since he destroyed Blanches life. He is also very proud of his
accomplishments. At the end of this scene he raped her.
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[He enters the kitchen, slamming the door. As he peers in at Blanche, he gives a
low whistle.]
[The bottle cap pops off and a geyser of foam shoots up. Stanley laughs happily,
holding up the bottle over his head]
[She moans. The top falls. She sinks to her knees. He pick up her inert figure and
carries her to bed. The hot trumpet and drums from the four Deuces sound
loudly.]
Scene XI
In this scene Stanley calls the mental institute to have Blanche taken away. He does it to
‘help’ her, but really it shows his cruelty and and power in the house. When the doctor
enters the house to take her away Stanley asks Blanche:

“Did you forget something?”
Blanche
how she is on her own - stella, stanley, mitch
Scene 1
 Blanche o Stage directions - [ She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy
bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if
she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district. ]
 Pompous
 Delicate
 High class
 Pure
 Self conscious
o Although, she is a lady of the old south, she shows some of her unladylike
qualities in her drinking habits.
 Blanche “ I am going to take just one little tiny nip more, sort of to
put the stopper on, so to speak…”
 Stella o Blanche is the dominant sister because she does not give Stella a chance to
speak, which shows the power dynamics in their relationship.
 Stella “You haven’t given me a chance to, honey.”
o Blanche is a dependent character, since she needs someone around her,
then Stella being her own relative alive.
 Blanch “You’re all I’ve got in the world.”
 Stanley o The encounter with Stanley has brought up a part of Blanche’s life she is
trying to suppress, which is that her husband died.
 Stanley “You were married once, weren’t you?”
o The clash of the old south with the new south of Stanley and Blanche, by
showing their actions around each other.
 Stanley “Do you mind if I make myself comfortable?” [ He start to
remove his shirt
 Old South
o The old south is shown through Blanche by her expectations to subtle
luxuries like hiring someone to clean.
 “You have a maid, don’t you?”
o The adaptation of the old south to the new south with reference to
Blanche, spoken by Stella
 “But of course there were things to adjust myself to later on.”
Scene 2
 Stanleyo Blanche is being inappropriate towards Stanley when she asks for him to
zipper up her dress even though her sister is just outside. (page 38)
o Blanche is shown in a superficial light when discussing her cloths “clothes
are my passion”(page 38) as well as her saying “I was fishing for a
compliment”(page 39) this portrays her as artificial and insecure
Blanche is condescending towards Stanley when she says that he has a
“little boy’s mind”(page 41)
Stage Directionso She playfully sprays her perfume on Stanley, this shows her not taking
matters seriously and trying to be flirtatious towards her sisters husband.
o
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Scene 3
 Blanche o Her nervousness is shown in her dialog, and how she seeks to cleanse
herself and escape the surroundings because she is not comfortable in the
new south due to ideals being so much different
 My nerves are in knots, is the bathroom occupied?”
o Stage directions - [ Blanche crosses into the bedroom and partially closes
the portiers. ]
 Attention seeking
 Curious about the men
 Inviting
 Mitch o She shows interest in Mitch because he has qualities that she is used to in
the old south, as well he reminds Blanche of her dead husband because he
has a soft look to him.
 Blanche “ I thought he had a sort of sensitive look.”
 Stanley o Another clash of the old south and the new south is when Stanley hits
Stella, and Blanche becomes hysterical in the situation, but everyone else
treats it like a normal day.
 Blanche “Stella, Stella, precious! Dear, dear little sister, don’t be
afraid!”
 Stella o Blanche is also dumbfounded when Stella returns to Stanley after he has
hit her, which shown how Blanche is not accustomed to the new south
 Blanche “ I’m terrified.”
 Blanche “Lunacy, absolute lunacy!”

Stage Direction
o Blanche shows the conflict between the old south and the new south a day
later after Stella was punched by Stanley
 “Throwing herself down beside Stella in a rush of hysterical
tenderness”(page 62)
Scene 5
 Blanche -
o
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She has a habit of lying to men in order to get their attention due to her
own insecurities. Furthermore, she wants to make herself sound
interesting, almost like the life she wished she had. This is shown in the
beginning of scene 4 when she is writing the letter to Shep.
 “Darling Shep. I am spending the summer on the wing, making
flying visits here and there.”
Stella She even reveals to Stella that she wants to trick Mitch, so that he would
admire her more. This further shows that she does not have a good image
of herself, and that the only way she can get someone to like her, is if she
tricks them.
 “I want to deceive him enough to make him - want me…”
Stanley o She has a fixed view of Stanley representing an animal. She compares him
to a goat and other animals.
 “Capricorn - the Goat!”
Young man o Blanche has a large attraction to the young man because her dead husband
was also very young, as well if she charms the young man, then she feels
young herself. There is a lot of emphasis on the youth of the man.
 “ Young man! Young, young, young, young - man!”
o She even goes on to kiss him without him even responding.
 [ Without waiting for him to accept, she crosses quickly to him and
presses her lips to his. ]
o
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Scene 7
 Blanche o Her mood is contrasted with the topic of conversation between Stanley
and Stella. This shows how distant she is from the family itself and the
correlation of old south vs. new south.
 Blanche “Without your love, it’s a honky-tonk parade! Without
your love, it’s a melody played in a penny arcade.”
o Stage directions - [ The distant piano goes into a hectic breakdown]
 Blanche’s sanity
 Her composure
 Her suspiciousness

Stanley o Blanche’s character is also shown of what other characters thought of her,
which in this case they thought she was not the cleanest of ladies in town.
Blanche was in a state of depression, and seeked someone to fill the void
in her heart.
 Stanley “ A second-class hotel which has the advantage of not
interfering in the private social life of the personalities there.”
 Stella o Stella struggles to believe Stanley at first, but she decides to believe her
husband instead. Blanche knows something has happened due to her skill
of being able to read other people well, and knows that Stella is hiding
something.
 Blanche “You have such a strange expression on your face!”
Scene 9
 Blanche o Stage directions - [ The music is in her mind; she is drinking to escape it
and the sense of disaster closing in on her. ]
 Unstable
 Losing sanity
 Alcoholic
o Even though she is depressed and Mitch didn’t show up to her party, she
still tries to make herself presentable to him, as well she hides her alcohol
which symbolises her problems at this state. She does not want to miss
that chance of being with him
 [ She rushes about frantically, hiding a bottle in a closet, crouching
at the mirror and dabbing her face with cologne and powder.]
 Mitch o Mitch also ruins the illusion of her age when he breaks off the paper
lantern. Blanche is horrified, because the light can no shine on the real her,
and she does not feel as young as she wanted to be anymore.
 [ He tears the paper lantern off the light bulb. She utters a
frightened gasp.]
 Mexican woman o The Mexican woman foreshadows the death of Blanche, and that she will
soon come to an end.
 “Flores, flores, flores, para los muetros.”
Scene 11
 Blanche o She wants to remain important by saying that if she receives a phone call,
then a massage should be taken for her. This illustrates the life she wished
he had.
 Blanche “ If anyone calls while I am bathing take the number and
tell them I’ll call right back.”
 Eunice o Blanche is the type of character that needs to be complemented due to her
low self esteem.
 Eunice “Such fine hair!”
 Doctor o Blanche has always had an eye for men that took care of her, so she did
not feel uncomfortable with the doctor

Blanche “ Whoever you are - I have always depended on the
kindness of strangers.”
Stella
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Stella is conflicted throughout the play between the control of Blanche and
Stanley
o Blanche and Stanley are both authoritative characters and both attempt to
gain control of stella
o Blanche represents the ideals of the new south, which she tries to re-instill
onto her siter
o Stanley represents the new south
 He tries to ensure that Stella does not return to her old-south
manorisms
Stella is completely devoted and infatuated with Stanley despite his obvious
flaws, such as his violent and proud nature and his conflict with Stella’s sister,
Blanche
Scene 1
o It is obvious that Stella is in love with Stanley
 “And when he comes back I cry on his lap like a baby.”
o Stella contrasts Blanche
 This is shown when Blanche criticizes the neighborhood whereas
Stella defends it
 Blanche “Why that you had to love in these
conditions!”(20)
 Stella- “It’s not bad at all. New Orleans isn’t like other
cities”
 As sisters coming from the same background and
upbringing, it is clear that Stella has changed drastically
from her old south ways, as opposed to Blanche who hangs
on to them.
Scene 2
o Despite her love for Stanley, Stella defends Blanche from Stanley’s
criticisms and condemns his for rummaging through Blanche’s stuff and
suggesting to pawn off everything that she owns. This shows that she
clearly respects and loves her sister
 (To Stanley) “You have no idea how stupid and horrid you are
being! Now close that trunk before she comes out of the
bathroom!”
o Stella wants to defend Blanche from Stanley’s wrath
Scene 3
o Stella is presented as pragmatic but also naive and possibly blinded by
love
 Her dependence on Stanley is made clear when she returns to him
and forgives him after he beats her
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Scene 4
o
o
Stella continues to defend Stanley’s actions “ Blanche, you saw him at his
worst last night” (69)
In response to Blanche’s desire for Mitch, Stella is supportive of her sister,
showing her care for Blanche’s happiness and well-being
o
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Scene 5
o Stella is passive when Stanley teases Blanche about past
o Stella submits to Blanche’s orders
 Shows acceptance of inferior position in terms of power within the
relationship
Scene 7
o Stella defends her sister as Stanley says bad things
 “Its pure invention! There’s not a word of truth in it and if I were a
man and this creature had dared to invent such things in my
presenceo She seems shocked which reveals about her sister's actions which are in
total contrast to the traditional new south ways
o Stella loses faith in her sister and also in her old life and traditions
Scene 8
o Stella is once again caught between Blanche and Stanley’s conflicts
o While she is bathing, Stanley criticizes Blanche for her ‘old south’
behavior and the words she has been saying to Stella about Stanley
o Stella continues to defend Blanche’s and explains that Stanley could not
possibly understand her because he did not know her as a young girl
o Stella is shocked at the action Stanly plans on taking with Stella (bus
ticket), which shows how she still wants to help her sister through her hard
time
o “You needn’t be so cruel to someone as alone as she is” (111)
Scene 11
o Stella is horrified by what she has done other sister (psych ward)
o It is suggested that Blanche told Stella that Stanley Raped her but the fact
that she is still with Stanley shows that she does not believe her and still
completely trusts Stanley
o Sending her sister to psych ward was a hard decision for her but was also
something necessary for Blanche’s mental health
o “What have I done to my sister? Oh god what have I done to my sister?” (
141)
Mitch
Scene 1:
 Appears at the end of scene 1. He is seen talking with Stanley and Steve. At many
point in the conversation he tries to leave, yet stanley catches him and tells him
what they are going to do. He is pretty much decided for and does not say much.
He is just seen as an average many who may be a little quiet.
o
When Mitch hears the men suggest having the poker night at his house his
actions show that he cares about his mother a lot and knows that a poker
night would not be appropriate, [ hearing this, returns quickly to the stair
rail]:” No-not at my place. My mother’s still sick”
Scene 3:
 “ You all are married. But i’ll be alone when she goes.-- I’m going to the
bathroom.” In this quote he is speaking about when his mother is going to die.
This shows his sentimental and caring side about his mother. This also shows how
lonely he is. His sentimental nature sets him apart from the other men at the poker
table.
 Courteous to Blanche when he first meets her. This can be seen as a huge contrast
to when Blanche met Stanley.
 Shy and self conscious around Blanche this is shown in [ glancing back at
Blanche and coughing a little shyly.]
 Is easily entranced by Blanche’s games. When she pretends that she is unable to
read the inscription on the lighter it draws Mitch closer to her. Allowing her to use
her feminine charm so that he will like her.
 Caring he comforts Blanche after Stella runs back to Stanley. Blanche is
extremely worried, while mitch explains that it is not out of the normal and
everything will be okay.

An immediate contrast between his sensitive character and Stanley’s alpha-male
indifferent attitude can be seen in the first scene. The contrast is further
emphasized through Mitch’s first interaction with Blanche and the sentimental
nature of the situation.
Scene 6
 In this scene Mitch is very worried about how his date went with Blanche. From
earlier scenes we know that he is extremely worried and he wants his new
relationship with Blanche to work.
 “Can I-- uh-- kiss you--goodnight” This shows that although he likes Blanche he
is very careful and respecting of her. He thinks that Blanche is innocent and pure
and he does not want to upset her.
 “In all my -- experience-- I have never known anyone like you” This is a bluff
from mitch because he has not been with too many people. Blanche can see
through this and she laughs at this statement. He does not understand that she
does not believe his lie, which shows how naive he is. This also shows how he
wants to impress her to and extent.
 Mitch does not know how to hold a conversation with a woman very well,
showing Blanche that he is socially awkward.
 He is extremely honest with Blanche and is acting out of the kindness of his heart.
He acquires her age because his mother wants to know. This is sweet and shows
the audience that he is very sentimental and has a strong relationship with his
mother. It also shows that he has hope in Blanche or else he wouldn’t have told
his mother about her.
Scene 9
 Mitch’s change in character is clear in this scene due to the contrast of his
sensitive and sentimental nature from the beginning of the play and his seemingly
cold nature here, emphasized by the use of short sentences.
Scene 11
 Mitch’s personality has completely changed at this point since he found out that
everything that Blanche told him was a lie.
 [Mitch keeps staring down at his hands on the table, but the other men look at her
curiously] He cannot bring himself to look at her because he knows what is going
to happen. It also shows that he is still hurt and could possibly have feelings for
Blanche. The amount of shame that is weighing down on him is immense
Secondary characters: