The sexual dominance of male characters over their female counterparts in plays establishes their superiority and control. Both playwrights suggest that a certain degree of personal status is acquired by sexually dominated women. The rape scene shows Stanley's use of power sexually through anger and strength, used to illustrate his eventual defeat of Blanche and establish himself as "King" of his territory, "limited to expressing basic desire." “From early adulthood…his life was a pleasure with women…giving and receiving…with power and pride.” It's a power he can have over women that they can't have over him. 'Let's make some noise! [He lunges at her, overturning the table. She screams...he picks up her limp form...carries her to bed]'. The use of captions portrays Blanche's passivity and gives the audience a better understanding of how the event empowers Stanley; even the enjambment, "Don't take another step towards me or I...", intensifies Blanche's lack of power compared to Stanley's. Likewise, Albee shows the power of men through the ability to overwhelm; George states, “I would take you by force, right here on the living room carpet.” It is significant that at the end of the play he takes her to bed, having destroyed her illusion. Albee also uses sexuality as a tool of battle, Martha says "I was making out with one of the guests" in an attempt to antagonize her husband; his nonchalant response undermines his quest for power, “… Well… Well, go ahead.” The women show a submission to the men's power, even Blanche admits that perhaps Stanley is what they need to "mix with [their] blood", while treating Mitch with contempt, rolling her eyes when he cannot see and ridiculing him in... middle of paper... http://www.gradesaver.com/a -streetcar-named-desire/study-guide/major-themes/ (accessed October 2010). Harold Bloom, K Harvey. Dark humor. Infobase Publishing, 2010.Kolin, Philip C. Tennesse Williams: A Guild for Research and Performance. United States, 1998.Oxford Dictionary. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1989. Roudane, Matthew. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?: Towards the Marrow.Shmoop University, inc. . Shmoop. 2010. http://www.shmoop.com/afraid-of-virginia-woolf/ (accessed October 2010).Shmoop University, Inc. Shmoop. 2010. http://www.shmoop.com/streetcar-named-desire/ (accessed October 2010).Small., Brustein 10 Citation. Robert C. New York, United States: Penguin Group, 2004. Williams, Tennessee. A tram called Desiderio. London, Great Britain: Methuen Student Edition, 1984.—. A tram called Desiderio. London, Great Britain: Secker & Warburg Ltd., 1984.