stella

Question 1

what does Stella symbolise

Answer 1

a star- light, beacon of hope, stability
modern woman/bridge between 2 worlds- combination of old south and new America
victim of male power
emotional core of the play
the apartment- small world she created for Stanley that isn’t perfect but it is comfortable and committed like her

Question 2

what are Stella’s key characteristics

Answer 2

aristocratic
submissive wife
realistic
practical
passionate (with Stanley)

Question 3

what is the authorial context behind Stella

Answer 3

she represents Edwina William’s (William’s mom) as she was a southern belle, born to a higher class and well read but she hated her husbands drinking and general lifestyle

Question 4

what is the critical context behind Stella

Answer 4

her friend group consists of battered housewives just like herself- they seek comfort in one another and develop bonds over the suffering (common in victims of domestic abuse)
she is delusional like Blanche- she believes she is happy and turns a blind eye to the rape though she knows it happened so she is blinded by ‘love’