Pub 2: “It’s Just an Illusion”

     Stella, in the play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, proceeds to the settlement that she must forget the horrific news of her husband Stanley Kowalski raping her very own sister. Stella Kowalski is a woman that solely depends on her husband, as well as the father of her child, Stanley. Trying not to believe that Stanley has raped her broken, insecure, and low self-esteem sister Blanche, Stella continues to be Stanley’s partner, for being with him is all that matters to her. Stella states, “I couldn’t go on believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella, 1862). Continuously throughout the play Stella is blinded by Stanley’s looks, completely disregarding Stanley’s alcoholism and abuse towards her. Many men throughout today’s society face issues with alcoholism as well as putting their wives in a position which ultimately drives the woman to create an illusion towards the unstable relationship, in comparison to Stanley and Stella Kowalski.

     Stella and her husband Stanley come together through desire, yet only she is in loss of reality. Stella’s illusions create a dependent and self destructive woman, which in today’s society, there are women who face the inability to accept the truth about their abusive partner. For example, in scene two of the play, Blanche states “After all, a woman’s charm is fifty percent illusion” (Blanche, 41). She states this line in her conversation with Stanley to imply that a woman can only create such magic, that the rest must be the truth. The truth, a problem in which Stella refuses to accept. “Remember what Huey Long said “Every Man is a King!” And I am the King around here, so don't forget it!” (Stanley, 1850). Stanley is willing to control any vulnerable and weak minded human, which is this case is Stella. Referring to himself as the king and shouting out not to forget it, clearly implies that he is the real danger, causing psychological and mental harm to his pregnant wife Stella. Shouting out that he is the king of the house causes Stella to think that it is okay for men to treat women this way, as she mentioned that is how men are supposed to behave. Thus, giving Stella the illusion that Stanley is the perfect man for her, not seeing eye to eye with reality.

       Abusive men who suffer from alcoholism in today’s society, have a tremendous effect on women in the relationship. Often times, women may choose to ignore the real problems that unfold in the relationship, hoping that everything will fix on it’s own. It takes effort and strong will to fix a broken relationship, however Stella cannot come to her senses. Stella’s perception of Stanley has taken over her mind and heart, refusing to believe Blanche’s story and continuing her life with Stanley. The article “Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships” explains the different types of danger that couples face that are in a substance abusive relationship. For example, “These couples also report that they fight and argue a great deal, which sometimes can become violent” (Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships 1). Stella and Stanley constantly argue which in a few cases became a physical argument. Stella states to Blanche “People have got to tolerate each other’s habits, I guess” (Stella, 65). Stella implies that she isn’t in any desire to get out of her so called “healthy relationship”, and by tolerating Stanley’s drinking problem and him keeping empty liquor bottles in the house, is alright with her because it must be something she has to get used to. Women in today’s society can become blind by the fantasy world, which leads to the individuals to make excuses for their abusive partner, which ultimately will lead to self destruction. 

     In the article “Alcoholism Facts: The Impact On Marriage and Relationships”, it states “One of the hardest tasks is to stop enabling the alcoholic’s behavior. That means letting go of denial and all that comes with it – like making excuses to family and friends about the alcoholics behavior or absence” (Alcoholism Facts: The Impact on Marriage and Relationships 1). Stella’s excuses as to why Stanley mistreats her shows how she creates a false illusion to solve a problem. For example, Stella stated to Blanche in scene three of the play, “In the first place, when men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen. It’s always a powder-keg. He didn’t know what he was doing…he was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself” (Stella, 63). In this quote, Stella creates another illusion of thinking Stanley is a “lamb”, passive, after he came back to her from the night he hit her while he was extremely drunk during poker night. This leads back to the quote “I couldn’t go on believing her story and living with Stanley” (Stella, 1862). Stella Kowalski must choose between reality and fantasy, choosing fantasy because to her, life must go on. 

Works Cited: 

1. “Alcoholism Facts: The Impact on Marriage & Relationships | Promises.” Drug and Addiction Treatment Centers | Promises, 20 Sept. 2017, www.promises.com/articles/alcoholism-facts-impact-marriage-relationships/.
   
   International, Inc. Advanced Solutions. Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships, www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/Consumer_Updates/Substance_Abuse_and_Intimate_Relationships.aspx.
   
   Booth, Alison & Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature, 10th Ed. 2010.