Stanley’s Choices in A Streetcar Named Desire

Stanley’s Choices in A Streetcar Named Desire The characters in A Streetcar Named Desire make a number of choices, and one of the most memorable is Stanley’s decision to rape Blanche. Stanley chooses to do this because he wants to regain power over her. Her criticism and lack of respect towards him cause him to feel inferior and to worry that his wife no longer respects his authority. Therefore, he uses his sexuality to demonstrate power over Blanche and readdress the balance. Of course, the power struggle between Stanley and Blanche, and his rape of her, represents the larger class conflict in 1940s New Orleans. Much of A Streetcar Named Desire is made up of a struggle between classes, and this power struggle is further shown when Stanley forces himself on Blanche. Stanley is of a lower social standing than Stella and Blanche, a fact that Blanche constantly reminds him about. Stanley has previously regained his power over higher classes by marrying Stella and keeping her in a socially lower position than him, because of her gender. It seems that he has used his sexuality to win the power struggle with Stella, and then he goes on to use the same tactic with Blanche. When she turns him down, he rapes her, in a violent and sordid attempt to reclaim the power that she has taken from him with both her social standing and her manner towards him. Clearly he had other choices. He could have chosen to speak to Blanche about his feelings and ask her to treat him with more respect. Alternatively, he could have chosen to ask her to leave his house. It is easy to see why Stanley dislikes Blanche. She is penniless and is depending on Stanley to keep her and let her live with him and his Stella in their modest apartment. She also seems to expect Stella to wait on her. Furthermore, Blanche treats Stanley with very little respect, due to his relatively low social standing. For example, she calls him â€Å"Polack†: â€Å"†¦I let the place go? Where were you! In bed with your – Polack!† (Williams 1.185). Blanche relies on this offensive name, and uses her archaic idea of social class to hold power over him. This is not the only factor that makes Blanche an unsympathetic character. She is living in a world from the past; she has dated ideas and values. Her sole dream is to meet an archetypal Southern gentleman, but she will never achieve this as society no longer works that way. Stanley, on the other hand, is more realistic, and he seems to enjoy pointing out her flaws. This is most likely the first level of h is response to the power struggle between them. Ironically, Stanley and Blanche are both living in the past. Stanley is steadfast on his opinions regarding the traditional gender roles, and Blanche holds on to her old fashioned ideals about conventional romance. Blanche occasionally compliments Stanley, for example when she flatters his ego: â€Å"Well, I never cared for wishy-washy people. That was why, when you walked in here last night, I said to myself — â€Å"My sister has a married man!†Ã¢â‚¬â€ Of course that was all that I could tell about you† (Williams 2.114). The two main characters compete for Stella’s care and attention, and this circumstance ensures a mutual hatred and battle between the two of them. Of course, their battle really represents the larger battle between the classes. Stanley’s lower social standing and his desire to be in charge are what leads to his raping Blanche. Stanley decision to rape Blanche comes from his need to control others, and especially women. From the beginning of the play, it is clear that Stanley wants to dominate his home and his wife. Stanley’s beliefs about gender roles are that men are accountable for bringing in money and food and women are responsible for caring for the home, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of men. He also insists that he has Stella’s absolute and unquestionable respect. It is hard for a contemporary audience to sympathize with Stanley; he is hostile, controlling and single-minded. Williams does not offer much information about Stanley’s past, so his actions in the play are the only knowledge the audience gathers. He likes routine, maintaining conventional gender roles, seeing his male friends, and keeping up a strong sexual relationship with Stella. Additionally, Stanley’s views of women is almost purely sexual. The play’s stage directions offer a description of him that shows this: â€Å"†¦Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it He sizes women up with a glance, with sexual clarifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them† (Williams 1.205). Blanche’s descent on the home badly shakes the status quo for Stanley. Blanche criticizes Stanley and he starts to worry that this might change Stella’s view of him as well. For example, in Scene Eight, Stella instructs him to tidy the table and to eat more politely. Stanley resents Stella’s unexpected display of power, and worries that she is imposing on his traditionally male role as the person in charge. Also, Stanley feels that Stella and Blanche look down on him. He says: â€Å"Pig—Polak—disgusting—vulgar—greasy!—them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sisters too much around here! What do you two think you are? A p air of queens?† (Williams 8.14). When Stanley becomes dissatisfied, he erupts in violent temper. The power struggle between Stanley and Blanche, and his rape of her, symbolizes the wider class conflict in 1940s New Orleans. Stanley is insecure and resentful that his wife and her sister are of a higher social standing than him. He has a number of choices about how to assert his boundaries with Blanche. He could have spoken to her about his feelings or, if he felt unable to do that, he could have spoken to Stella and asked for her help. However, Stanley lacks self-awareness and communication skills, so he uses the only tools available to him: sexuality and violence.

Obesity Is A Complex Phenomenon - 879 Words

Obesity is one of The most common problems in medicals. Obesity it is the accumulation of fat inside the body components and increased body weight alone for a natural result of the accumulation of fat in it, and this accumulation results from an imbalance between energy intake from food and energy consumed in the body. Obesity is a complex phenomenon, and it intervention of many factors: genetic, psychological, emotional, social. It might cause occurrence of adverse effects on health, but we can protect our self by treatment and attention to our health. Increasing obesity, childhood and adults can it be by the inherit. The reasons for the increasing childhood obesity is because of the parents who are not interested about their children foods, what they eat ? when they have to eat ?. Because the child s body needs a different type of foods and cooking method of adult, that is important. The child eats completely mashed and light and less than the child who used to eat less thick and not completely mashed. Poor regulation of food intake and foods for each uncontrolled such as fast food hamburgers, and foods full with oils. And give them plenty of Sweets. Energy balance in children happens when the amount of energy taken in from food or drink and the energy being used by the body support natural growth without promoting excess weight gain( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ). To solve this problem, parents need to give their children fresh juices instead ofShow MoreRelatedThe Topic Of Body Weight1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe topic of body weight in America is a sociopolitical phenomena with multiple, often conflicting perspectives. Some refer to the issue of obesity as an epidemic, highlighting social and political solutions to redress the consequences of weight-gain amongst U.S. citizens. Others point to the socially constructed nature of bodies and the meanings surrounding them. These scholars argue that the idealized bodily form is projected to glorify hegemonic standards of health and beauty, which operate accordingRead MoreThe Health And Economic Consequences Of Obesity1238 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the biggest health crises today is obesity epidemic globally specially in the developed countries such as USA. As illustrated in (Figure 1), the population of the developed world showing alarming growth in obesity rate. More than 60% of the population in countries such as the UK and USA are overweight including children. In addition, these figures are expected to increase in the future (Gannon, 2014). The health and economic consequences of obesity is massive. It is known to cause more thanRead MoreThe Economics Of Obesity And Obesity1180 Words   |  5 PagesEconomics of Obesity Obesity’s presence has reached much larger magnitudes than ever before in human history. 33% of adults and above 20% of children in the U.S. are classified as obese as concluded by Duke University (â€Å"Over a Lifetime†). Although obesity appears to be strictly a medical problem, many new studies are showing that obesity is linked to numerous factors such as society, technology, politics, and economics. As a result of multifarious fields, reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. isRead MoreEffects Of Obesity On Children Health1139 Words   |  5 PagesEffects of Obesity on Children Health Obesity is a serious medical and psychological condition that affects children, adult, and elderly people. According to WHO, People who are above the normal weight for their age and height are called obese. Childhood obesity has been problem in developed as well as in developing countries. As Cause, it is accepted that increase in obesity results from an imbalance between abnormal intake of unhealthy food and drink and also unable to burn calorie. There is increasingRead MoreBreast Ovarian Syndrome : The Most Common Endocrine Disorder Abbreviated Pcos870 Words   |  4 Pagesovarian syndrome has many related symptoms but the most common are: irregular periods, amenorrhea, hirsutism, acne, obesity, infertility, insulin resistance, and estrogen dominance. Although, most of the people that have PCOS are obese not all patients are overweight. PCOS is associated with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a rather complicated phenomenon. First, it is important to note that insulin is a very important hormone in the human body and too much or too littleRead MoreFactors That Influence Obesity Rates Among Children Essay1520 Words   |  7 PagesThis paper will describe the factors that influence obesity rates among children. It will review relevant literature concerning the bio-psychosocial facts and etiology involved in childhood obesity. This paper will discuss why this is a problem not only for the client system, but also a significant social problem. Multiple systems will be explored to support the continuation of the problem on a micro, mezzo and macro level. Some specific policies that exacerbate the problem will be looked at alongRead MoreChildhood Obesity : A Complex Health Issue1275 Words   |  6 Pages Childhood obesity is a complex health issue in today’s society. It occurs when a child is well above the healthy weight for the average age and h eight. Excess weight during growing years is of great importance for at least three main reasons. First, it constitutes a risk of overweight and obesity during adult life. Second, childhood obesity correlates with adulthood risk factors for common chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other morbidities. Third, obese children alreadyRead MoreFast Food in America1664 Words   |  7 Pagesliving in a country with the smallest fund of practical nutritional knowledge. (Fast Foods Hidden Dangers 1) The people of the U.S. are living in a land plagued with obesity. America is home to the most obese people in the world. (Fast Foods Hidden Dangers 1) According to the CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity in adults has increased by sixty percent in the past twenty years. (Fast Foods Hidden Dangers 1) A shocking thirty-three percent of American adults are obese and obeseRead MoreThe Importance Of Obesity757 Words   |  4 Pagessteady preferences, an d are consistent, rational actors (Thorgeirsson Kawachi, 2013). In the U.S. more than one in three adults have obesity, and it relates to the number of leading causes of preventable and premature death including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and particular types of cancer (Ogden, Carroll, Fryar, Flegal, 2015). While obesity results from a combination of causes and contributing factors, including genetics, built environment such as the availability of freshRead MoreApplying the Background and Methodology of the Research Process to Problems in Healthcare1402 Words   |  6 PagesApplying the Background and Methodology of the Research Process to Problems in Health Care Definition of the problem Obesity is one of the most serious health issues facing American schoolchildren today. Moreover, exactly how to deal with childhood obesity is a question that vexes parents, politicians, educators, and nutritionists. Students spend a significant part of their day in school and therefore consume a significant proportion of their caloric intake at school. In addition, the school lunch

Television and Media Violence TV Can Have Negati Essay Example For Students

Television and Media Violence TV Can Have Negati Essay ve Effects on Children Media Argumentative Persuasive Essays T.V. Can Have Negative Effects on Children Each day after school, thousands of American youngsters sit in front of their T.V. sets in the semi-darkness at their homes and kill their precious time watching T. V. programs. A typical scenario would be that a mother would put her kids into the living-room in front of the T.V so that she can attend to her own business. Some believe watching T.V. is the best way for children to get better-informed about what is happening around the world and other educational information. However, have they ever thought about helping kids learn about news or other educational programs through other technological devices such as radio or computer systems? Compared with T.V., these devices are more engaging and productive for kids. I dont believe T.V. is the ideal home entertainment for kids because it is a passive activity compared with outdoor activities by tying the individual to the screen for hours; it allows kids to use time inefficiently, therefore, watching others working while sitting there and doing nothing. And it is bad for kids health through gaining weight from eating T.V. snacks and hurting ones eye-sight. First, watching T.V. can be very passive both physically and intellectually. When sitting in front the screen, what an individual does most is to watch and listen to what others have accomplished such as news, reports on a certain incident, and research results. For example, when we watch sports on the weekends, we are mainly watching what other people are doing outside our semi-dark living room. A young friend of mine, who is not very sporty and active but introverted and passive, would spend the whole day Saturday and Sunday, sitting in front of the T.V. set and watch others golfing or playing baseball in the beautiful sunshine and breathing the fresh air. Physically speaking, those who sit in front of T.V. sets and watch others play sports are much more passive than those who actually go out and do some exercises by themselves. Again, watching T.V. is not as engaging intellectually as reading a book or writing a diary by oneself. This is because these activities make a person creative and active and productive. For example, when we watch a program on the historic exploitation of the Spaniards on the west coast of the States, we are watching a program which others have put together. This is much more passive intellectually than going into the library and research on the topic. I am sure within the same time limit, a person can obtain more knowledge from the books and put up a collage by themselves about the subject than from watching a one hour program on T.V.. Bill Holm, a friend of mine and novelist in Minnesota, is the only person in the whole town who doesnt own a T.V. set. On the contrary, he encourages his students who come to visit him to search and browse in these libraries; he has four or five libraries in his house, and these libraries are categorized accordingly. He has a library of British literature, books on China, cooking, and on other subjects areas. Secondly, watching T. V. doesnt encourage a person to use time efficiently, and it can be a waste of time for intellectually-motivated individuals and those who are in school. If they have chores at home, it is more productive for them to listen to the news on the radios while doing their own things with hands such as ironing and organizing things. In other words, watching T.V. engages not only ones eyes and ears but binds ones hands and legs, restricting a person from moving and doing anything productive. .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c , .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .postImageUrl , .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c , .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:hover , .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:visited , .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:active { border:0!important; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:active , .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u38d10375b5bb470f877f84eb6c42988c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The revival of Jazz in South Africa Essay For some people, it would be more desirable to listen to music from a C.D. player while arranging their books and organizing things. Thirdly, constant staring at the screen for hours can be harmful to ones health, especially in terms of gaining weight and hurting ones eye-sight. Some mothers like to shuffle their kids into the living room to watch T.V. so that they can attend to their own business, .