Great analysis 💙 Both sisters, in their own way, show how oppressive, hypocritical and unfair the world is to women. On the surface, they appear to be total opposites, but Stella's just as selfish, immature and willingly blind as Blanche.
I'm not sure how selfish Blanche is: several times, she refers to what's happened at Belle Reve, with the feuding, sickly relatives, and how alone she was in taking care of them. She reminds Stella that she was only there for the funerals, and that funerals are nothing compared to the drain of the sort of care-taking she's had to do. She tells Mitch about the constant fighting and accusations between the dying relatives, when "Death was as close as you are". On top of this, she had to try to hold onto the estate, and clearly had no assistance; and she was clearly not educated in the complicated financial and legal battles. By the time she arrives at the Kowalski home, she is worn out from many things, and, I feel, the wear is legitimate.
The story seemed to end in the middle. You always question what would happened to Stella in future. Will she ever felt guilt for not to choose justice for her own sister? Will guilt consume her like it did her sister Blanche for pushing her husband to suicide? What will she tell her baby what happened to Blanche and who did it to her?
This video has helped me so much! I have my A Level exam on the play in three days and I have struggled so hard with what to say about Stella other than she is passive. Thank you so much!
Im watching all these analytical videos for English classes. I'm wondering to myself if Tennessee Williams himself had thought of all these things and was trying to convey all these deeply dissected ideas while writing it. Or if he was just writing a fictional story with characters that happened to possess traits that reflect those of his own family and surroundings.
i am no longer an english student, i study theatre. However sometimes i study random texts memorise quotes and watch revision videos. kinda like a rescued marooned surviver sleeping on the floor for comfort.
