Life has been cruel and brutal to all of the characters in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. All except Stanley Kowalski, that is, who has instead been cruel to those in life. He was relentlessly brutal to Blanche during her stay at Elysian Fields and a violent husband to Stella. Stanley was also dominating towards all of his friends, including Mitch. Stanley knew their weaknesses and used them to his advantage.
Stanley is a very ‘manly’ man. He knows what is his and has to be in control of it. “… I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!” (195) Stanley enjoys all of his belongings; his apartment, his radio, everything. He knows all about the Napoleonic code because it involves what is his. By knowing this small piece of information Stanley feels a little more in control of what belongs to Stella, not that she owns very much. When Stanley hears about the loss of Belle Reve he feels cheated of what is his, which explain why he gets so worked up over it.
Stanley knows he is a good looking man and uses Stella’s lust for him to control her. This is why when Stanley is trying to persuade Stella, he will touch her to remind her of how it feels to be with him. Due to Stanley’s manliness he doesn’t

Blanche often shows moth like qualities. She is a very delicate person who people need to tread lightly around in order to avoid upsetting her. “I haven’t said anything yet, I’m waiting until she [Blanche] gets in a quieter condition.” (132) Blanche, like a moth, has a great liking for clothes. She owns old costume jewellery and fake furs to make herself look richer than she is and to feel attractive. “Yes – clothes are my passion!” (136)

Stanley is often described as “ape like” (163) and “on the primitive side.” (137)