Two Men, Two Differing Styles

Scoop  and Stanley in’ The Heidi Chronicles’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, both act as foils to their female protagonists respectively, Heidi and Blanche. And whilst they both play a supporting role in the two plays, they are very central to the story line as they determine the actions of their heroines.

Stanley and Scoop are very much a man’s man, unapologetically macho as they proudly display and play up their masculinity to the hilt. However, their approach is very different as is their relationship with their heroines. Scoop is educated and sophisticated and is romantically involved, albeit casually with Heidi. On the other hand, Stanley is uneducated ill bred, devoid of manners and sophistication and is not involved with Blanche (he is married to her sister), but the undercurrents of sexual tension disguised as disgust come clearly to the surface and end with Blanches rape. The two men move the story line along determining the outcome of the lives of the women, who though essentially strong and independent, allow the men to dictate their terms, showing that they succumb to their charms against their better judgment.

Stanley

The characterization of Stanley is thrust into the mindset of the audience at the onset of his entry by Tennessee Williams. As he walks into the room he is loud, obnoxious, drunk and blunt bordering on crudeness. Aware of Blanches discomfort Stanley remarks to Blanche, “I’m afraid I’ll strike you as being the unrefined type” (Scene 1). Ironically Stanley sees through the feigned lady like act of Blanche. He recognizes that they are essentially cast of the same mould. (He makes a sarcastic remark of the depletion of whiskey hinting at Blanches indulgence which is quickly rebutted by Blanche by her dishonesty that she rarely touches it). While Stanley is honest and upfront of his un-refinement, Blanche hides behind the mask of false propriety. The attraction is instantaneous but is camouflaged by insults and churlish remarks. Blanche though unwilling to admit it, is drawn to his raw charms and cave man like behavior. Stanley treats women as commodities to satisfy his every urge and wait on him hand and foot as shown by the treatment meted out to his wife Stella. He hides any softness and romantic notions behind grunts and growls displaying  a primitive animalistic approach to women, which lacks respect of the fairer sex.  On his first encounter with Blanche Stanley is described by Williams as; (Scene 1).

“Animal joy in his being is implicit in all his movements and attitudes. Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens. Branching out from this complete and satisfying center are all auxiliary channels of his life, such as his heartiness with men, his appreciation of rough humor, his love of good drink and food and games, his car, his radio, everything that is his, that bears his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer. He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classification, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them.”

Though Stanley’s encounter with Blanche is brief, lasting only a few weeks it has impact and bearing on the events of her life and lead to her sanitarium visit. Though their relationship is not of a romantic nature it is undeniably not without sparks or passions and leaves an indelible impression in the mind of the reader.

Scoop:

In contrast Scoop forms a casual long lasting dalliance with Heidi that culminates in friendship post his marriage to Lisa. Though both Scoop and Stanley are macho men that toy with women disregarding their feelings, their methodology is different in approach. On his first meeting with the self professed feminist Heidi, he is able to break her resistance and sleep with her through his wit and charm.  Not as crude or upfront as Stanley he employs his intellect and sophistication to break down the barriers she puts up as a front. As Blanche did before her, Heidi is dishonest and coy and believes herself to be in control but succumbs to him unwittingly like a fly in a Spider’s web. Scoop rates women with grades or numbers revealing that he regards them as disposable commodities that he sizes up in a similar but more educated manner to Stanley.  Again Scoop insults and derides Heidi and she is placed in the defensive position of addressing him with rebuttals to match his quick mind. On their first encounter where Heidi pretends to be Susan she is unable to fool or outsmart Scoop; ( 171).

Scoop; I like you, Susan. You’re prissy, but I like you a lot.

Heidi; Well I don’t know if I like you.

Scoop; Why should you like me ? I’m arrogant and difficult. But I’m very smart. So you’ll put up with me. What?[…]

Heidi; Actually, I was wondering what mothers teach their sons that they never bother to tell their daughters. […] I mean, why the fuck are you so confident?

Scoop; ten points for Susan.

 Though different in approach both men Stanley and Scoop play the same game with different rules. They confidently and with unabashed brutal honesty admit to their negative traits willingly, which unnerves the women who find themselves at a loss as they struggle with their own insecurities and web of deceit The women are drawn to the danger and risks which they find stimulating and exciting but this fatal attraction becomes their tragic flaw in an otherwise composed carefully rehearsed exterior. Ironically both men settle for women that do not challenge them (Lisa and Stella) leaving behind their real paramours proving that ultimately it is the men who cannot rise to the challenge when they meet their match in Heidi and Stella. This represents their one weakness in their otherwise over confident exterior. They act as foils to their leading ladies and protagonists and are often antagonistic and overbearing but, they still manage to make an impression in their lives.