"Since the earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens. Branching out from this complete and satisfying center are all the auxiliary channels of his life, such as his heartiness with men, his appreciation of rough humor, his love of good drink and food and games, his car, his radio, everything that is his, that bears his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer" (Scene 1, p. 25).
This stage direction gives insight to Stanley's personality, in which we are able to see that he is a man that is driven by sexual influence. Stanley's desire for "pleasure with women" determines his actions. The other aspects of his personality are deemed less significant. Stella and Blanche discuss that Stanley does a great deal of traveling, and Stella misses him while he is gone. Stella's love for Stanley is evident during their conversation, but it is not possible to see if Stella's love is reciprocated. Because Stanley travels a lot and focuses his attention on "pleasure with women," we can question Stanley's love for Stella and whether or not he may have cheated on her during his travels.
Katie-You cover a range of themes and ideas here-all of them, it seems, right on the money. Stanley's "animal" nature, as we've discussed it, appears early on and only becomes more apparent as the play moves on. Perceptive comments.
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