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created by L. Lopez, 1/5/08
Violent Relationships Essay
Read the accompanying checklist of characteristics of a violent relationship,
marking off which items apply to Stanley and Stella of Tennessee Williams’
A Streetcar Named Desire.
You will then discuss your findings within a group, making notes about the
events in the play that coincide with the checklist items.
Individually, you will write a unified essay with the following thesis statement:
Stanley and Stella’s marriage is a violent relationship. To support
your thesis, use three items from the checklist to prove that Stanley is
abusive and three items to show that Stella displays the behaviors and attitudes
of an abused wife. Find a quotation from the play to support each of
these items.
Guidelines for Essay:
- Present the thesis statement at the end of the introduction
- Address three items on the checklist that apply to Stanley and three
other items that apply to Stella in the body of the essay
- Use relevant and specific information from the checklist and play
to support the thesis that Stanley and Stella’s marriage is a violent relationship
- Use a tone appropriate for a school literature essay (NO INFORMAL
1st or 2nd PERSON PRONOUNS!)
- Organize your ideas in a logical and coherent manner
- Be sure to indicate any words taken directly from the checklist or
play by using quotation marks
- Follow the conventions of standard written English
Violent Relationships Checklist
ONE PARTNER…
- Embarrasses the other with bad names and put-downs
- Looks at the other or acts in ways that scare the other
- Stops the other from seeing or talking to family
- Takes the other’s money, makes the other ask for money or refuses to
give the other money
- Believes men should be in control and powerful and that women should
be passive and submissive; women should stay at home, take care of their
husbands, and follow their man's wishes and orders
- Destroys the other’s possessions or threatens to kill the other’s pets
- Acts like the abuse is no big deal, denies doing it
- Has a history of fighting, losing temper easily, brags about mistreating
others
- Becomes excessively irritable when frustrated, tending to use violence
to “solve” problems
- Tries to control the other by being very bossy, giving orders, making
all the decisions, does not take the other’s opinion seriously
- Has been involved with police or other authorities regarding abusive
behavior
- Is jealous or possessive, won’t let the other have friends, checks
up on the other, won’t accept breaking up
- Has hit, pushed, choked, restrained, kicked or physically abused the
other
- Becomes especially kind, romantic and apologetic after a violent
outburst, promising never to repeat the behavior
- Makes the other’s family or friends concerned about the other’s safety
- Abuses alcohol or drugs
- Grew up in a violent family
- Has a history of bad relationships and blames the other person for
all the problems
THE OTHER PARTNER…
- Makes excuses for their partner’s violent actions, minimizes the situation
- Blames oneself for the partner’s behaviors
- Thinks the violent partner can be changed
- Leaves but returns
- Does not press charges for violent acts
- Has little or no education
- Does not work outside the home, does not have a means of financial
self support
- Accepts violence as natural, has friends in similar situations
- Grew up in a violent or abusive family
- Has been or is abused or dominated in other relationships