[Stella has embraced him – with both arms, fiercely, and full in the view of Blanche. He laughs and clasps her head to him. Over her head he grins through the curtains at Blanche.]
– Tennessee Williams
A Streetcar Named Desire, Scene 4. These are the stage directions after Stanley overhears Blanche’s conversation with Stella about his "bestial" nature. Stella shows her dependence on Stanley when she chooses his sexual and animal appeal over her sister. Despite Blanche attacking him as sub-human, Stella decides to remain loyal to her husband. This foreshadows Stella’s later decision to send Blanche to a mental asylum rather than accept that Stanley raped her. In the battle between Blanche and Stanley for power over Stella, his sinister victory grin informs us that he knows he has won.