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Sibling Relationships

A great deal of literature deals with the impact of birth order, environment, parenting, and other aspects related to sibling relationships. Both film versions of Tennessee WilliamsÆ dramas A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof feature intense sibling rivalries. In Streetcar, the rivalry is between Blanche DuBois and her younger sister Stella Kowalski. In Cat, the rivalry is between Gooper Pollitt and his younger brother Brick. The rivalry between Blanche and Stella is more one of attachment rivalry than is the paternal rivalry and material conflict between Brick and Gooper. In both rivalries a significant impact on the sibling relationships is made by a brother-(Streetcar) and sister-in-law (Cat). Both relationships demonstrate the complexities involved in sibling relationships and myriad factors that impact on them.

In A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche DuBois, a debauched former southern belle, is staying in the apartment of her lower-class younger sister Stella and her husband, Stanley Kowalski. Doherty and Feeney (2003) report one study among adult female siblings that shows ôfemales not in romantic relationships reported stronger attachment to a siblingö (40). Blanche is reluctant to let go of her now married and pregnant sister. While Blanche looks down her nose upon StellaÆs lower-class surroundings and brutish working-class, uncouth husband, she envies her sisterÆs family contentment and security. She does not have it. She continually demeans Stanley to Stella, telling her: ôDonÆt hang back with the brutes,ö (Kazan).

Blanche wants to cling to Stella, as she not only envies her but she is all she has left of her memories of childhood happiness that no longer exists. Stanley, BlancheÆs brother-in-law, will not coddle Blanche and allow her to maintain her illusions of grandeur as Stella is willing to do. His relationship with Blanche forces Stella to make

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Sibling Relationships. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 16:29, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1710621.html