All of the links between "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Handmaids Tale"

Links Between  A Streetcar Named Desire  &  The Handmaids Tale

Links Between Characters -add quotes

• The Commander and Stanley

Like the Commander, Stanley is in a position of power over the women whom live under his ruling and this is due to the patriarchal societies that the authors have shaped in their novels. However, as we see, The Commander has a complete control over those beneath him; so much so, that he actually fails to understand the true capacity of it. Whereas Stanley actively opresses Stella and Blanche with the constant goal of having totalitarian power over his household.

• Offred and Stella (Role of Women)

The linking factor between these two characters is their inablity to act upon their rebellious tendancies. Stella shows the audience how a male dominated society causes oppression, and not only are the Handmaids oppressed in their roles, they are also oppressed as women, and seen only for their sexual usage. Stanley is a great example of a man who uses the women around him for their bodies- he rapes Blanche as a way to get her to move out, he has sex with Stella straight after hitting her to 'prove his love' and he demonstrates clearly at the end of the play how important it is to him to put women's bodies before the actual woman.

• Blanche and Moira

Both of these characters fail to adapt to their surroundings. Blanche cannot cope without having the comfort of a man- she feels dependent. Moira can't stand the Red centre and everything that is imposed upon her, and so she escapes and runs away. They both attempt to 'run away' from their problems in one form or another, but end up institutionalised. Blanche is sent away to a mental hospital and Moira is trapped in Jezebels. Neither of them will experience their true desire of comfort ever again.

Links between Themes

• Opression vs Rebellion and Resistance.

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