Masculinity In A Streetcar Named Desire Essay

A main theme in Tennessee William’s play A Streetcar Named Desire is the theme of masculinity. In Scene Three, Williams introduces “The Poker Night” (this is later shown to have been a possible different title of the play.) Scene Three is foreshadowing the end of the play. In these pages we get an insight into Stanley and Stella’s submissive relationship. We are shown the power of masculinity at that time through stage directions, the lighting, large dialogue and the descriptive way the room is described at the beginning of the scene. The audience can deduce that this is a night where men are strongly involved, as at this particular time period poker was still very much a game dominated by men.
Williams begins scene three with a large prologue

involving detailed stage directions, he uses lighting to set the scene describing an electric bulb with a “vivid green glass shade.” He also uses lighting to add to the atmosphere, he shows the room he designed for the play as being “relatively dim” with the only light being “through the ... window on the street.” He introduces the men around the table as “men at the peak of their physical manhood.” Williams then makes it more descriptive by comparing the men to the “powerful.. primary colours,” this paints a picture of the masculine atmosphere and helps the audience interpret the testosterone levels and realise it is set up for men only; (much like nowadays Saturday pub night.)
When the dialogue starts, we hear Stanley getting frustrated at the game of poker he isn’t doing well in he begins the scene with “Anything wild in this deal” Stanley gets agitated when he sees watermelon and exclaims at another young man Mitch, that “Nothing belongs on a Poker table but cards, chips and whisky” this is him further illustrating the point of his pride of being a male, and that this is an intended night to be masculine.

Stanley is ill-tempered and continues to shout at Mitch saying “Get off the table, Mitch” he then “lurches up and tosses watermelon rinds to the floor.” Masculinity is evident here in both the stage directions “lurches up” which describes a rash movement, possibly with no control as he’s been drinking whisky and is likely to be drunk. When Mitch says he needs to go home, Stanley immediately retorts “Shut up,” which leads to Mitch complaining about a sick mother at home, who has no one else, Stanley is impatient and has no sympathy for him telling him to just “go home, then!” Stanley seems to lack any tolerance for other people’s emotions and lacks sensitivity, Williams portrays Stanley as a man who fits the stereotypical masculine view that men don’t care about such things. Mitch is another character who is ‘controlled’ by Stanley, and would be known nowadays as Stanley’s “bitch.” He does what he is told and follows every word Stanley says, looking up to him as his superior, the ultimate goal to become. When Mitch leaves for the bathroom

Stanley tells him to “hurry back,” and then mocks his relationship with his mother. William shows that Stanley doesn’t want anyone around him to make him look stupid so he can protect his male pride. When Mitch heads to the bathroom, Steve makes a dirty joke to gain respect from Stanley but Stanley is impatient for the game to continue so he can win.
Stanley orders everyone else around using short imperatives such as “shut up” and “deal,” he is clearly at the top of their hierarchy triangle.

This scene is in stark contrast to the society from which Blanche and Stella have come from. This is obviously a night meant for men only; however Blanche and Stella come home early and start to disrupt their night. Stanley almost immediately suggests that they leave them alone, “Why don’t you women go up and sit with Eunice.” this is him showing that they are not welcome. When Stella asks for him to finish soon he “whacks her thigh,” this is him showing his ownership in front of his friends, showing his authority and control over her, he is also placing his mark on her to prove she is his and on one else’s. This could also be to prove to Blanche that he can treat Stella however he wants, which makes him feel powerful and bold. Here Stanley is being the stereotypical husband, with ownership of his wife. This links in with the common theme throughout of male dominance over female inferior (shown throughout the play.) Williams portrays Stanley as the egotistical stereotypical man who is always correct. The men are dominant and all laugh, giving Stanley the audience he wanted so he feels macho, which accentuates the passive role of woman throughout the play. We start to see Stanley as the villain of this play, and when he hits Stella we see that he can be violent without warning, foreshadowing him seriously hurting Stella at the end

of the scene.
Mitch finally leaves the bathroom and immediately notices Blanche, who doesn’t fail to notice him as well. Mitch makes an “awkward curtsy” and heads on back to Stanley, he is anxious to fit in and is embarrassed when he realises he is still carrying the drying towel. Blanche is a notorious flirt and Williams portrays her feelings at that moment as “with certain interest,” she asks her sister questions regarding his status and marriage. Stella says that “Stanley’s the only one of his crowd that’s likely to get anywhere” saying that all you have to do is “look at him,” not because he is a “genius” but because he has a way of succeeding. This is Stella’s pride of her husband and how he does have a good reputation in their town and how she has married the best person in that crowd, and how lucky and honoured she is to be his wife; not caring about the way he treats her. Blanche however says that Mitch seems more “superior” and “sensitive” to the other men. This is all gossip to the men and Stanley has had enough. Stanley shouts out for them to be quiet as he can hear them, but Stella surprisingly stands up for herself and answers back saying that it is “her house and she ‘ll talk as much as she wants to.” This is her challenging Stanley in his authority over her and the house.
In poker apparently the best players are those who can read the other players’ eyes, and their thoughts and feelings. Throughout the play there are comparisons and similarities between the poker game and the characters, which is developed and shown clearly in scene three. We can see the resemblance between Stella and the card dealer; she is a submissive character, who can be quickly overpowered. She tries to keep everything on neutral ground as the peacemaker. (This was the norm, along with the social status of women at that time.) The two card players are likened to Stanley and Blanche; who are fighting over having Stella. During scene three we see that Stanley’s aggressive playing habits in the game are mirrored in real life; he has complete control over Mitch, and uses him as his plaything, (until Blanche starts to chat with him.) When Mitch becomes more interested in Blanche he is drawn away from Stanley, angering Stanley further. At the very end of the play Steve says “This game is a seven-card stud” it shows that they are continuing from Scene Three, but starting a new game; this proves that Williams did want the readers/actors to compare the play to a poker game. Another take on this is that the relationships are going to continue in very much the same way as before, and that the “stud” (Stanley) has won Stella from Blanche.
Williams portrays masculinity in incredible detail in these three pages, we can get so much just from the way the others act around him and how he talks to them like they are below him. Stanley is the stud, the best and if anyone stands up to him he doesn’t hesitate to use force.