In “A Streetcar Named Desire”, a quote by Stella demonstrates a moment of revelation and denial: “I couldn't go on believing her story and live with Stanley”(1232). Stella is at moments conflicted with standing by her husband, Stanley, or her sister, Blanche, and she acts like a peacemaker between them. When Stanley raped Blanche, it not only broke Blanche, but in some ways this cruel attack also broke Stella. Stella knows exactly what Stanley did to Blanche, but she is in denial of this horror because she experiences trepidation regarding her future and her baby's future if she supports Blanche.
One of the reasons Stanley and Blanche’s conflict escalates when Blanche arrives in New Orleans is that both of them are very possessive of Stella, and at times it can be difficult for Stella because she is caught in the middle. Blanche is shocked seeing the peculiar relationship between Stanley and Stella because Stanley repeatedly degrades Stella, and Stella always feebly crawls back into his arms. During the poker game, Stanley, inebriated, hits Stella in front of everybody and later on when Stanley calls Stella, ashamed of his actions, she forgives and goes back to him. When Blanche tells Stella that she is young and can have a better life without Stanley, Stella replies, “I said I am not in anything that I have a desire to get out of ” (1195). In Stella's mind she is leading herself to believe that her relationship with Stanley is perfect and that no matter what they do to each other, they are content and they love each other. Due to the constant mistreatment by Stanley, it has become extremely difficult for Stella to understand that what she is experiencing is not normal and that it's just a prolonged habit. Deep down Stella expresses remorse as she tries to decide if her actions are morally correct by staying with Stanley and sending Blanche away to piece her life back together in a mental institution. For example, Stella shows her regret as she states, “I don't know if I did the right thing” (1232). She disregards and ignores what the truth is and continues her life with Stanley as if nothing drastic happened. Although Eunice, Stella's neighbor, assures her that she did the right thing by supporting Stanley and disbelieving Blanche, it still leaves Stella agonized and torn. Stella never attempted to listen to Blanche before when she was making an effort to inform her the kind of emotionless and vicious man Stanley is. To a certain extent, Stella blames herself for what happened to Blanche and that is why she is having a difficult time letting go of Blanche. On the other hand, she knows that she cannot defend Blanche because nobody else other than Stanley is willing to financially support her baby and herself. Stella doesn't want to think that her husband and the father of her child could do such horrific, unspeakable actions to her sister, so she represses the truthful reality and decides to live a fabricated life.
Hence, Stella can be compared to a victim and the mistreated individual in the relationship. Stanley is a prime example of an abuser in the relationship who will do almost anything for authority and is a menace to his surroundings. For example, “Abusive relationships follow a pattern. After the violent display comes the calm, with profuse apologies and the promise of redemption. This "loving" period is always followed by more abuse” (Amber, 1). Stella, just like Blanche, is living in a fantasy world where she is making excuses for Stanley’s actions by justifying that it is not serious and that he always behaves this way. Stella doesn't realize that she is constantly being harassed by him, due to the sexual nature of their relationship, during which they are oblivious to their problems. Stanley blames Blanche for insulting his behavior and for trying to persuade Stella that he doesn't care about anyone but himself, and that is evident when Blanche says,“ He acts like an animal, has an animal's habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one!” (1198). Stanley is an opportunist whose prime focus is to create suspicion in Blanche and disparage her at any given moment. Blanche’s statement provokes Stanley, making him extremely furious to the point where he seeks revenge. In Stanley’s perspective, when he rapes Blanche it symbolizes him showing not only his power and superiority over her but it is a moment of destruction. This was Stanley attempt to show Blanche that she is living in a delusional world and their confrontation was something that was bound to happen. For instance,“ Batterers also try to isolate their victim; the abuser cuts her off from her family and friends by insisting they are against her. Abusive men blame others for their failings--his boss made him scream, the world made him lose his temper” (Amber, 1). Stanley wants to prove to Stella that Blanche is lying about the sale of Belle Reve and accuses her of keeping all the money. Stanley intends to go to extreme lengths while also proving all her other lies. Stella’s natural instinct during these situations is to protect her sister and shield her from Stanley’s snide remarks.
In “A Streetcar Named Desire”, Stella had to make monumental decision that would determine the rest of her life. Stella’s denial is so extreme that she chose to neglect the truth about what Blanche had suffered in the hands of Stanley. Stella wanted to have have a good life and choosing Stanley was the best option, but now she has to live with the guilt regarding Blanche. Her perspective on life transforms into Blanche’s way of life when she chose to live in lies and a false perception of life.
Work cited
Amber, Jeannine. "Young and Abused." Essence (Essence), vol. 27, no. 9, Jan. 1997, p. 66. EBSCOhost,hs1.farmingdale.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=9703191926&site=eds-live.
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