Alcoholism In A Streetcar Named Desire: Stanley's Struggles

In Tennessee Williams' play, 'A Streetcar Named Desire', the character Stanley Kowalski has been interpreted by some as an alcoholic. Stanley's drinking is often social, as he drinks with friends at the bar and during poker games. However, his alcoholism is used to excuse his violent and abusive behaviour towards his wife, Stella. When drunk, Stanley's masculinity becomes exaggerated, and he displays a physical, violent nature. This is evident in a scene where he beats his pregnant wife after she calls him a Drunken nature. Stanley's alcoholism is also linked to his lack of control, as he rapes his sister-in-law Blanche, causing her to have a nervous breakdown. While some may view Stanley as an egalitarian hero at the start of the play, his character ultimately proves to be crude, brutish, and disturbing.

Stanley's alcoholism is not a secret

While Blanche DuBois, the sister of Stanley's wife Stella, hides her alcoholic nature, Stanley Kowalski's drinking is not a secret.

Stanley is a casual drinker who drinks frequently and socially. He drinks with his friends at the bar, during their poker games, and to celebrate the birth of his child. However, when Stanley gets drunk, his masculinity becomes exaggerated, and he becomes physically violent and brutal. For example, while playing poker with his male friend, he becomes angry with Stella and hits and beats her, even though she is pregnant. His alcoholism enables and exacerbates his domestic violence.

Stanley's drinking is quite different from Blanche's. Blanche's drinking is anti-social, and she tries to keep it a secret. She drinks in private to escape her harsh reality and numb her feelings of loneliness and despair. On the other hand, Stanley's drinking is done openly and is not hidden from others.

Stanley's alcoholism is also influenced by his desire to escape the lack of control he feels in his life after the arrival of Blanche. Stanley views sex as an important aspect of marriage and sees women as sexual objects. He uses his physicality in an aggressive and sexual manner to exert control over others. His drinking further exacerbates his cruel and violent tendencies, as seen in the scene where he drunkenly assaults Blanche.

Tennessee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire" thus explores the theme of alcohol dependence through its characters, particularly highlighting the contrast between Stanley and Blanche's drinking habits and the different ways their alcoholism affects their lives and those around them.

Alcohol fuels his violent behaviour

Alcoholism is a prominent theme in Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire". The character of Stanley Kowalski has been described as an alcoholic, with his drinking habits often leading to violent behaviour.

Stanley's alcoholism is a significant factor in his violent actions throughout the play. When Stanley consumes alcohol, his already prominent masculinity and aggression are heightened, leading to physical violence. This is evident in a scene where, after drinking, he reacts with anger towards his wife, Stella, and proceeds to hit and beat her, even though she is pregnant. Stanley's alcoholism enables and exacerbates his violent tendencies, creating a dangerous environment for those around him, particularly Stella and her sister, Blanche DuBois.

Stanley's drinking is described as social, often taking place with friends during poker games or celebrations. However, his drinking frequently leads to violent outbursts, demonstrating how alcohol fuels his aggressive behaviour. While Stanley does not hide his drinking habits, he fails to control his actions when intoxicated, resulting in domestic violence.

Stanley's violent behaviour is not solely due to his alcoholism but is also rooted in his past experiences and expectations of control. Growing up in a financially and domestically troubled home, with an alcoholic and abusive father, Stanley developed a need for control in his life. This need for control, combined with his heavy drinking, contributes to his violent outbursts, as he reacts aggressively when this sense of control is threatened.

Stanley's alcoholism and subsequent violent behaviour have significant consequences in the play. His drunken actions lead to the physical abuse of Stella, which she attempts to downplay and excuse. Additionally, Stanley's drunken behaviour also impacts Blanche, as he drunkenly fondles her and ultimately rapes her, causing her to have a nervous breakdown.

In conclusion, alcohol fuels Stanley's violent behaviour in "A Streetcar Named Desire". His drinking exacerbates his masculine and aggressive tendencies, leading to physical violence against those around him. Stanley's alcoholism, combined with his past experiences and need for control, create a volatile mix that results in harmful actions and a devastating impact on the lives of the other characters.

Alcoholism as a coping mechanism

Alcohol is a significant theme in Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire". The play explores the different ways its two main characters, Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski, rely on liquor. While Blanche's drinking is anti-social and kept secret, Stanley's drinking is social, and he often drinks with friends at the bar or during poker games.

Stanley's alcoholism is linked to his attitude and behaviour, particularly towards his wife, Stella. When drunk, his masculinity becomes exaggerated, and he becomes physically violent and brutal. For instance, during a poker game, when Stella calls him "Drunken nature", he instantly becomes angry and beats her, even though she is pregnant. His drinking enables his abusive behaviour, and Stella, who is aware of the harm, accepts the violence and pretends it is not a serious matter, even making excuses for his drinking.

Stanley's drinking is also connected to his need for control. His father was an alcoholic who abused him and his mother, and due to his past, he developed an expectation to be in control and have whatever he wants. He uses his physicality, often in an aggressive or sexual manner, to maintain this control. When he feels his control is threatened by Blanche, he rapes her, which is his way of trying to "keep her down to his level".

Alcohol is used by both Stanley and Blanche as a crutch to escape their harsh realities. For Stanley, drinking is a way to escape the lack of control he feels in his life upon Blanche's arrival in his home. Blanche, on the other hand, uses alcohol to numb her feelings of loneliness and despair and to blot out the ugliness of her life.

Alcoholism and sexual aggression

Stanley's alcoholism is well-known and he does not hide his drinking habits. He drinks socially with his friends at the bar, during poker games, and to celebrate the birth of his child. However, when Stanley gets drunk, his behaviour becomes more aggressive and violent, and his sense of masculinity is exaggerated. For example, in one scene, he becomes angry with his wife, Stella, and hits her, even though she is pregnant. His drinking enables his abusive behaviour, and Stella, while acknowledging the harm, downplays the seriousness of his actions and makes excuses for him.

Stanley's alcoholism is also linked to his sexual aggression. He views sex as an important aspect of marriage and sees women as sexual objects. He is described as a flawed man with a strong male sexuality, and his sexual desire often overrides his other senses. This is evident in his relationship with Stella, where sex is used to smooth out their disputes. Stanley's sexual aggression is also directed towards Blanche, Stella's sister. In one scene, Stanley drunkenly fondles Blanche, traps her in a bedroom, and attempts to rape her. This assault causes Blanche to have a nervous breakdown, and she is eventually committed to a mental institution at Stanley's insistence.

Stanley's behaviour exemplifies the dangerous combination of alcoholism and sexual aggression. His drinking exacerbates his aggressive and violent tendencies, particularly towards women. The play explores how alcohol can be used as an excuse for poor behaviour, with Stanley's alcoholism enabling his abusive and sexually aggressive actions.

Tennessee Williams' portrayal of Stanley in "A Streetcar Named Desire" highlights the destructive nature of alcoholism and sexual aggression, and how they can be intertwined. Stanley's character serves as a cautionary tale of the harmful consequences that can arise from this toxic combination.

Alcoholism and the male gaze

Stanley's alcoholism is also linked to his attitude towards women. He objectifies women, seeing them as a means to satisfy his sexual desires, and his masculinity is closely tied to his sexual prowess. This is evident in his relationship with Stella, where sex is used to smooth over disputes, and in his power struggle with Blanche, where he ultimately rapes her. Stanley's abuse of Stella and his violent behaviour towards her are justified by his drinking, perpetuating a cycle of toxic masculinity and alcoholism.

Blanche's alcoholism, on the other hand, is portrayed as a way to escape her problems and the harsh realities of her life. She turns to alcohol to numb her feelings of loneliness and despair, using it as a crutch. While Blanche tries to keep her drinking a secret, Stanley's alcoholism is more visible and accepted by those around him. This double standard reflects the societal expectations of the time, where men's drinking was often excused while women's drinking was stigmatised.

The male gaze is evident in the way Stanley views and treats women. He sees them as objects of sexual desire and classifies them with crude images flashing through his mind. This objectification of women contributes to his sense of power and control, especially in his dynamic with Blanche. Stanley's alcoholism fuels his aggressive nature, leading to the violent rape of Blanche, which is his way of trying to exert control over her and bring her down to his level.

Overall, the portrayal of alcoholism and the male gaze in "A Streetcar Named Desire" offers a critique of toxic masculinity and the power dynamics between men and women. Stanley's alcoholism is used to excuse his violent and abusive behaviour, reflecting the societal issues of the time. The play presents a complex exploration of how alcoholism and the male gaze interact to shape character motivations and the power dynamics within relationships.

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