AnimalsStanley "That shut her up like a clam." (41)Steve (Old farmer, hen and rooster joke.) (50)Blanche "Is he a wolf?" (53)Stanley "You hens cut out that conversation in there." (55)(Like a dancing bear) (62)Stella "He was as good as a lamb" (71)Blanche "Yes, something — ape-like about him, like one of those pictures I've seen in – anthropological studies! Thousands and thousands of years have passed him right by, and there he is – Stanley Kowalski – survivor of the stone age! Bearing the raw meant home from the kill in the jungle." (80)Blanche "Night falls and other apes gather! There in front of the cave, all grunting like him, and swilling and gnawing and hulking! His poker night! – you call it – this party of apes! Somebody growls€”some creature snatches at something – the fight is on!" (80)Stanley "Same canary-bird, huh!" (113)Blanche "Parot" (123)Mitch "He says you been lapping it up all summer like a wild-cat." (133)Blanche "I stayed at a hotel called The Tarantula Arms!" (136)Stanley "but he's not going to jump in a tank with a school of sharks." (119)
2 thoughts on “Animal Metaphors”
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The fact that there are this many metaphors related to animals seem to suggest the emphasis on the wild and primitive dimension of human beings, which includes male dominance and concupiscence. Within the animal metaphors, there is also a contrast of predators (shark, tarantula, wolf)and preys (lamb, hen). Does this refer to “might makes right” in nature, or is it something else?
Males are traditionally hunters it is natural and in some cases complimentary to compare them to animals like bears and apes. It is meant to show male dominance.
The women are usually compared to creatures that are beautiful and delicate, like birds and butterflies rather than actual prey.
Blanche is considered dangerous and predatory, like a tarantula, when it is discovered she doesn’t fit the mold society wants her to.