Stanley’s always smashed things. Why, on our wedding night – soon as we came in here – he snatched off one of my slippers and rushed about the place smashing the light bulbs with it… I was – sort of – thrilled by it.
– Tennessee Williams
A Streetcar Named Desire, Scene 4. There is an undercurrent of sexuality to Stanley’s aggressive behavior, which Stella finds a turn-on. Instead of running or screaming at him for smashing things on their wedding night, Stella explains to an incredulous Blanche that she was thrilled by this. This shows Stella retreating into a fantasy world to avoid the ugly reality that she is married to a violent man.