Stella’s Internal Dilemma

 Steven Lingerfelt 

Professor Brady

3/18/2023 

English 102

Stella’s Internal Dilemma

 

In Tennessee Williams’ play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Stella states to her friend Eunice “I couldn’t go believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella Scene 11). This statement was made after Stanley raped Blanche, which infers that Stella doesn’t believe her sister’s claim. Stella at this moment chooses her relationship with Stanley over that of her sister and calls for Stella to be put in a mental institution. Stella can later be seen in scene 11 crying for her sister as she is being taken away by the orderlies, Stanley takes this moment to cement himself as the one true love of Stella.

 

Stella was lied to by the two people she loved most in life, her sister, and her husband. While the severity and range of these lies differ both are still liars, meaning that no matter who Stella ended up with she would not know the true extent of who the person she is with is. This is like how Blanche struggles with a disconnect from reality; though self-imposed as opposed to Stella being lied to by those around her. An example of Stella struggling with the reality presented to her is when Stanley tells her about The Flamingo. Stella states “It’s pure invention! There’s not a word of truth in it” (Stella Scene 7), from this the reader would begin to understand that Stella also struggles with a disconnect from reality when put under stress.

 

Stella’s statement “I couldn’t go believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella Scene 11) also indicates a fear of being alone. Stella’s willingness to deal with his abuse exemplifies this further. Stella states to Blanche “You’re making much too much fuss about this” ( Stella Scene 4) after Blanche voices her concerns after seeing her sister thrown around by her drunk husband. This would make Stella the victim of Stockholm Syndrome. This coping mechanism happens to people who are in long term abusive relationships and makes the abused individual feel affection for the abuser. She is willing to overlook his abuse just because she knows that she would be alone without him.

 

In conclusion, Stella’s quote “I couldn’t go believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella Scene 11) not only reveals that Stella has sided with Stanley but also has cast out Blanche. Had Stella not sided with Stanley she would still not be living a true reality. However, with Stanley, she is able to live the same false reality that she’s grown accustomed to, like how Blanche had grown to live the lies she told. This single quote shows how powerful a person’s perception of reality is, and how it often shapes the reality around them.