The climax of Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire occurs in "Scene Ten", when Stanley finally rapes Blanche, his sister-in-law. Many audiences and readers have questioned whether this act was premeditated or impulsive, as for some the play is heavy with evidence and for others Stanley appears to make a snap decision. Many psychologists have researched and studied what drives people to commit rape, and some have determined that premeditated rape arises from a combination of destructive human emotions. By analyzing previous psychological research as well as textual evidence from William's A Streetcar Named Desire, it becomes evident that Stanley's rape of Blanche was premeditated and, ultimately, influenced by his sexual attraction and rage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essayFor decades, experts have studied rape cases to determine why people rape, and many have found common elements, such as sexual attraction and rage. . According to Groth in his 1977 article "Rape: Power, Anger, and Sexuality," "offenders' and victims' accounts of what happens during rape suggest that issues of power, anger, and sexuality are important to understand the behavior of the rapist” (1239). Essentially, Groth argues that issues of power, anger, and sexuality can all be factors that motivate people to rape. Furthermore, it posits that all three operate in every rape case; however, one normally dominates the others (1239). To explore this concept further, he and his colleagues conducted a study in which they ranked the dominant problem in the stories of 133 offenders and ninety-two victims (1,239). After synthesizing this research, they found that the offenses could be categorized as “power rape,” when sexuality is used primarily to express power, or “anger rape,” when sexuality is used to express power. express anger; however, they found no rapes in which sex was the dominant issue, instead arguing that "sexuality was always in the service of other non-sexual needs" (1239). Groth thus asserts that sexual attraction alone does not influence individual rape; however, it can be a factor when combined with another problem such as power or anger. Throughout the play, Stanley makes no secret of the fact that he believes Blanche to be sexually promiscuous, a contributing factor to his sexual attraction to her. After Blanche asks him to help button her dress, asks him for a cigarette, and playfully sprays him with perfume, which can be interpreted as acts of flirtation, Stanley states, "If I didn't know not that you were my wife's son. sister, I have ideas about you! (41). Here, Stanley insinuates that he believes Blanche is promiscuous but that he should not say it out loud because she is his sister-in-law. Similarly, when Blanche declares that her astrological sign “Virgo is the virgin,” Stanley scornfully exclaims, “Hah! (89). With this exclamation, Stanley mocks the idea that Blanche is a virgin, because he believes her to be sexually experienced. These two examples illustrate that, whether due to Blanche's possible flirtatious acts or her checkered past, Stanley believes that she is sexually promiscuous from their first conversation. This belief only strengthens his sexual attraction and is ultimately part of what influences his premeditated rape. However, sexual attraction is not the only factor that influences the decisionof Stanley to rape Blanche; this decision also stems from intense rage. Part of this growing rage is Blanche's insults, most of which focus on the fact that Stanley looks like an animal. The first time Stanley hears Blanche's insults is by chance. After Stella returns to Stanley after hitting her, Blanche chastises her sister for her decision, comparing Stanley to an animal: he acts like an animal, has animal habits! Eat like one, move like one, talk like one! There is even something – subhuman – something that is not yet quite at the level of humanity! Yes, something – monkey about him, like one of those photos I saw in – anthropological studies! Thousands and thousands of years have passed him by, and here he is – Stanley Kowalski – survivor of the Stone Age! (83) Although Blanche thinks she is insulting Stanley towards his sister alone, Stanley is watching from the outside throughout this exchange. These insults have an effect on Stanley, even though he claims not to like them, because they follow him throughout the play. At Blanche's birthday dinner, Stella says, "Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a fool of himself" and "Your face and fingers are disgustingly greasy", causing Stanley to throw his plate on the floor and shout, “Don’t ever talk to me that way!” “Pig – Polack – disgusting – vulgar – fat!” – these kinds of words have been on your tongue and your sister has too many around here! (131). Here, it is not the fact that Stella insults Stanley that provokes her anger, but rather the insults themselves. Stella compares Stanley to an animal like Blanche did when Stanley was eavesdropping. Because “those kinds of words” come from Blanche, her rage is not only about the insults but also about Blanche. Examples of Stanley's sexual attraction to Blanche and his rage can be seen throughout the play, and it is these examples, coupled with these. in "Scene Ten", which ultimately testify to the premeditated nature of Stanley's rape of Blanche. Similar to his statements in previous scenes of the play, in "Scene Ten" Stanley continues to acknowledge that he thinks Blanche is sexually light. After Stanley plays cat and mouse with Blanche throughout the scene, Blanche finally attempts to escape, asking Stanley to move away from the door. To this, Stanley responds, “You think I’m going to interfere with you? Ha-ha! » then, he takes a step towards her, bites his tongue and quietly declares: “Come to think of it – maybe it wouldn't be bad to – interfere with…” (161). This is the beginning of Stanley's physical attempt to rape Blanche. Although his sexual attraction, due to his perceived promiscuity, has been growing throughout the play, this is its climax. Eventually, when he learns that Blanche was known for her sexual escapades in Laurel, his suspicions about her promiscuity are confirmed, which ultimately explains his decision to rape her. Also, after grabbing the bottle she uses to push him away, he declares, "We've been on this date all along!" » (156). Here, Stanley demonstrates that, from the moment they met, he believed that Blanche was promiscuous and, more specifically, flirting with him. This proves that his sexual attraction and subsequent desire for Blanche has grown since their first meeting and therefore that he has always considered this moment. Sexual attraction alone is not a factor in rape, based on Groth's research; however, when combined with rage, the two together can influence the decision to rape. Stanley's rage towards Blanche can also be seen in "Scene Ten" and, as earlier in the novel, it arises from Blanche's animal insults. At.