Characters in A Streetcar Named Desire

Stella -

• naive - in relation to life and the events in the play
• relatable - doesn't change and stays central
• rebellious - marrying Stanley
• vulnerable - hiding from her problems
• motherly - protective over Blanche
• caring
• always tries to do the right thing (for other people)
• quite independent
• sensitive - emotionally towards Blanche and Stanley
• always tries to see the best in people
• feel pity and sympathy towards her (violence)
• annoying - she didn't believe Blanche and instead sent her away
• impulsive
• in denial about Stanley (violence etc)

Blanche -

• delusional (image of perfect life, drinking problem etc)
• vain
• fragile
• insecure
• unstable
• attention seeking
• begins to believe her delusions
• feel sympathy for her at the end
• emotional connection to her is unstable
• makes the audience frustrated with her
• protagonist of the play
• liar
• cheat
• drunk
• flawed
• lost everything

Stanley -

• violent
• unhinged
• dominating
• confident
• unrelenting
• arrogant
• acts superior
• intimidated by Blanche
• power struggle between Blanche and Stanley - creates tension
• Blanche - french name, high social status, educated
• Stanley - working class, Polish, uneducated
• Blanche is a threat to Stanley
• he loves Stella - shows in an unusual way - threatening
• attractive character
• protective over Stella

Mitch -

• sensitive - dying mother
• caring - cares for Blanche
• kind
• supportive
• decent
• opposite of Stanley
• changes and becomes more aggressive after learning of Blanche's past
• no self-confidence
• insecure