Stella Kowalski: Difference between revisions
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==In the play== |
==In the play== |
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The play begins when Blanche comes to visit Stella and Stanley in New Orleans. We gather that Stella was a [[Southern belle]] who left her home town of [[Laurel, Mississippi]] to find work after her family fell on hard times. In New Orleans, she met her soon-to-be husband, [[Stanley Kowalski]], who has just returned from [[World War II]], complete with decorations. He has the self-assured swagger of a low class Polish-American, and it is probably his freedom from the aristocratic hierarchies under which Stella grew up which refreshes her. Stella is portrayed as sensual and declining to the will of her husband. She seems to decline to the reality of the way things are, a quality which Blanche (for all the illusions of the old South cost her) cannot do. |
DYKE. The play begins when Blanche comes to visit Stella and Stanley in New Orleans. We gather that Stella was a [[Southern belle]] who left her home town of [[Laurel, Mississippi]] to find work after her family fell on hard times. In New Orleans, she met her soon-to-be husband, [[Stanley Kowalski]], who has just returned from [[World War II]], complete with decorations. He has the self-assured swagger of a low class Polish-American, and it is probably his freedom from the aristocratic hierarchies under which Stella grew up which refreshes her. Stella is portrayed as sensual and declining to the will of her husband. She seems to decline to the reality of the way things are, a quality which Blanche (for all the illusions of the old South cost her) cannot do. |
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From the modern point of view, Stella is a victim of [[domestic violence]]. Her husband, Stanley, is prone to fits of rage in which he throws things and hits Stella. Stella often finds herself taking refuge at her neighbour Eunice’s home, only to return to Stanley when he cries for her to take him back. It is clear in the play that Stella is attracted to Stanley's passionate, animal nature, and that is why she stays with him. The playwright neither condemns nor condones this sort of love; it is the way Stella yields to her marriage. Blanche, who has arrived for a "visit," is horrified by her sister's situation and tries to convince Stella to [[divorce]] Stanley, but Stella refuses, bound to Stanley by [[sexual attraction]] and her [[pregnancy]] with his child. |
From the modern point of view, Stella is a victim of [[domestic violence]]. Her husband, Stanley, is prone to fits of rage in which he throws things and hits Stella. Stella often finds herself taking refuge at her neighbour Eunice’s home, only to return to Stanley when he cries for her to take him back. It is clear in the play that Stella is attracted to Stanley's passionate, animal nature, and that is why she stays with him. The playwright neither condemns nor condones this sort of love; it is the way Stella yields to her marriage. Blanche, who has arrived for a "visit," is horrified by her sister's situation and tries to convince Stella to [[divorce]] Stanley, but Stella refuses, bound to Stanley by [[sexual attraction]] and her [[pregnancy]] with his child. |
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Revision as of 23:56, 2 June 2011
| Stella Kowalski | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|frameless]] | |
| First appearance | A Streetcar Named Desire |
| Created by | Tennessee Williams |
| Portrayed by | Kim Hunter Beverly D'Angelo Diane Lane |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Spouse | Stanley Kowalski |
| Children | a son |
| Relatives | Blanche DuBois (sister) Allan Grey (brother-in-law; deceased) |
Stella Kowalski (née DuBois) is one of the main characters in Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire. She is the younger sister of central character Blanche DuBois.
In the play
DYKE. The play begins when Blanche comes to visit Stella and Stanley in New Orleans. We gather that Stella was a Southern belle who left her home town of Laurel, Mississippi to find work after her family fell on hard times. In New Orleans, she met her soon-to-be husband, Stanley Kowalski, who has just returned from World War II, complete with decorations. He has the self-assured swagger of a low class Polish-American, and it is probably his freedom from the aristocratic hierarchies under which Stella grew up which refreshes her. Stella is portrayed as sensual and declining to the will of her husband. She seems to decline to the reality of the way things are, a quality which Blanche (for all the illusions of the old South cost her) cannot do.
From the modern point of view, Stella is a victim of domestic violence. Her husband, Stanley, is prone to fits of rage in which he throws things and hits Stella. Stella often finds herself taking refuge at her neighbour Eunice’s home, only to return to Stanley when he cries for her to take him back. It is clear in the play that Stella is attracted to Stanley's passionate, animal nature, and that is why she stays with him. The playwright neither condemns nor condones this sort of love; it is the way Stella yields to her marriage. Blanche, who has arrived for a "visit," is horrified by her sister's situation and tries to convince Stella to divorce Stanley, but Stella refuses, bound to Stanley by sexual attraction and her pregnancy with his child.
Stanley, who prides himself on luring Stella away from her privileged background, dislikes the influence Blanche has over his young wife. When Stanley discovers that Blanche has lost the family estate, Belle Reve, and been forced out of her home town, he gleefully tells Stella, who initially refuses to believe him.
The night Stella goes into labor, Stanley drunkenly happens upon Blanche and rapes her. This sends Blanche completely over the edge into a nervous breakdown. From what she says in the final scene, it is clear that Stella has chosen to believe Stanley's lie over Blanche's truth about the rape. She may be torn, but Stella is a mother, and a survivor. She acquiesces in the plan to send Blanche off to a mental institution. In the movie, Stella realizes the truth and finally had it with Stanley's abuse and declares that she will never go back to him.
In other media
Stella was portrayed by Kim Hunter in the Broadway production as well as the 1951 film adaptation. Hunter won an Academy Award for her performance.
In the 1984 and 1995 made for TV remakes, she was portrayed by Beverly D'Angelo and Diane Lane.
In the 1951 film adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, there is a suggestion that Stella may leave Stanley after she finds out about the rape.