A Streetcar Named Desire Scene 8: Blanche's Presence

In Scene 8, Williams divulges that Blanche's presence has negatively affected Stanley and Stella's marriage.  It is both Blanche's character as well as her shadiness that irks Stanley and ultimately makes him appear to be a cruel person in Stella's perspective. After Stanley gives Blanche her birthday present, a bus ticket home, Stella is once again caught in the middle of one of their arguments. Stella cannot help but protect her sister, but she also tries to understand and believe her husband. When she protects Blanche she remarks, "You didn't know Blanche as a girl...But people like you abused her, and forced her to change" (Scene 8 136). Stella reveals that she sympathizes with Blanche, while at the same time she publicizes her own opinion of "people like" her husband. One questions how Stella will be able to maintain the same loving perspective of Stanley now that she associates his behavior to be both abusive and cruel. Stanley discloses to Stella that he dislikes Blanche staying with them because he feels they are not happy together anymore. He mentions, "...wasn't we happy together, wasn't it all okay till she showed here?" (Scene 8 137). However, although Blanche has caused disorder in their household, is Stanley able to blame Blanche for his change in behavior? One questions whether Stella is convinced by Stanley's excuse, or if she herself is questioning whether Blanche has revealed a hidden side of Stanley.