The Napoleonic Code is mentioned by Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, in an effort to ensure he could benefit from any inheritance his wife Stella might share with her sister Blanche DuBois. "Nobody owns the land between the levee and the river. It is the property of all the people. That's the Napoleonic Code.
How does Stanley refer to the Napoleonic Code in Scene 2?
In Scene Two, Stanley refers to the Napoleonic Code as “In the state of Louisiana we have the Napoleonic code according to which what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband and vice versa." The Napoleonic Code originated in 1804 under Napoleon in the French Civil Code.
What does the Napoleonic Code mean in the Scarlet and the Black?
He thinks Blanche has swindled Stella out of her rightful share of the estate, which means that he has been swindled. In order to prove his own victimization, he refers to the Napoleonic code, a code of law recognized in New Orleans from the days of French rule that places women’s property in the hands of their husbands.
What is the Napoleonic Code?
The Napoleonic Code is the French civil code established under Napoléon I in 1804. Stanley brings up the Napoleonic code, which says that what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband, and vice versa, and therefore if Stella was swindled then Stanley was swindled as well.
What is the Napoleonic Code in the story Stella?
Answers 1. Add Yours. The Napoleonic Code is the French civil code established under Napoléon I in 1804. Stanley brings up the Napoleonic code, which says that what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband, and vice versa, and therefore if Stella was swindled then Stanley was swindled as well.
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Why does Stanley mention the Napoleonic Code?
Calling upon the Napoleonic code enables Stanley to justify his feelings of entitlement toward Stella's inheritance. In doing so, he shows that he is ignorant of legal technicalities, because Belle Reve, located in Laurel, Mississippi, wouldn't fall under New Orleans jurisdiction.
Who said you see under the Napoleonic Code A man has to take an interest in his wife's affairs especially now that she's going to have a baby?
You see, under the Napoleonic code – a man has to take an interest in his wife's affairs – especially now that she's going to have a baby. [Blanche opens her eyes. The "blue piano" sounds louder.] Stanley says this deliberately in order to hurt Blanche.
What is the main message of A Street Car Named Desire?
The message is that indulging one's desire in the form of unrestrained promiscuity leads to forced departures and unwanted ends.
What are the major symbols in A Streetcar Named Desire?
A Streetcar Named Desire SymbolsThe Streetcar. Williams called the streetcar the “ideal metaphor for the human condition.” ... Varsouviana Polka. Blanche associates the polka with her young husband's suicide. ... Bathing. ... Paper Lantern and Paper Moon. ... Alcohol and Drunkenness. ... Shadows.
What is the Napoleonic Code and how does Stanley misunderstand it?
In order to prove his own victimization, he refers to the Napoleonic code, a code of law recognized in New Orleans from the days of French rule that places women's property in the hands of their husbands. Looking for a bill of sale, Stanley angrily pulls all of Blanche's belongings out of her trunk.
How does Williams present masculinity in a streetcar?
Masculinity is presented in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' through Williams' use of Stanley's violent nature. He displays high masculinity and violence through the use of predatory animalistic imagery in both stage directions and Blanche's descriptions of him.
What is Blanche's mental illness?
s psychological disorder is indeed schizophrenia. Thus, the symptoms of Blanche Dubois? personality disorder are disturbances of perception, delusions and illusions, and withdrawal from reality.
Why does Blanche drink so much?
Main character Blanche DuBois uses booze to distract herself from reality and to retreat further into a world of fantasy and cleverly contrived artifice. Habitual drinking isn't ideal for a woman's reputation in the 1940s, so the habit is often hidden or disguised.
Why does Mitch rip the paper lantern off the lightbulb symbolize?
When Mitch rips the paper lantern off the light in Scene Nine, we as an audience understand that he no longer buys into the illusion that Blanche tried to craft, and wishes to expose the truth as represented by the light.
Why is Blanche's name ironic?
What does Blanche's name mean and why is it ironic? It means white woods. It's ironic because white is pure and she is the farthest from pure.
What does the hairy ape symbolize?
The ape symbolizes man in a primitive state before technology, complex language structures, complex thought or money was necessary. The ape represents man that is not only behind in an evolutionary sense, but is free of class, technology and other elements of modern society. The ape is only concerned with survival.
What animal is Blanche compared to?
In the first scene, Blanche is compared to an animal: “There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes, that suggests a moth” (Williams 117). Both butterflies and moths start life as ugly caterpillars and only later transform into something more beautiful.
What was the Napoleonic Code usually known as?
Early version of the Code Civil des Français (“Civil Code of the French”; known as the Napoleonic Code), dated 1803 (year XI of the French republican calendar). The code was promulgated in its entirety in 1804 (year XII) by First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte.
Why did Napoleon create the Napoleonic Code?
Napoleon set out to reform the French legal system in accordance with the ideas of the French Revolution, because the old feudal and royal laws seemed confusing and contradictory. After multiple rejected drafts by other commissions, a fresh start was made after Napoleon came to power in 1799.
What were some of the laws that were passed under the Napoleonic Code that show that Napoleon was influenced by the Enlightenment?
A comprehensive and uniform system of laws established for France by Napoleon, A code that embodied Enlightenment principles such as the equality of all citizens before the law, religious toleration, and advancement based on merit. But Also took away rights from women like divorce.
When was the Napoleonic Code created?
March 21, 1804Enacted on March 21, 1804, the resulting Civil Code of France marked the first major revision and reorganization of laws since the Roman era. The Civil Code (renamed the Code Napoleon in 1807) addressed mainly matters relating to property and families.
Why does Stanley call upon the Napoleonic Code?
Calling upon the Napoleonic code enables Stanley to justify his feelings of entitlement toward Stella's inheritance. In doing so, he shows that he is ignorant of legal technicalities, because Belle Reve, located in Laurel, Mississippi, wouldn't fall under New Orleans jurisdiction. However, Stanley's repeated references to the Napoleonic code highlight the fact that his conflict with Blanche is also a gender showdown.
What is Blanche wearing when she arrives?
When Blanche arrives, she is wearing a fine white suit fit for a social event. She feels out of place in Stella's neighborhood.
Why did Stanley call upon the Napoleonic code?
Calling upon the Napoleonic code enables Stanley to justify his feelings of entitlement toward Stella’s inheritance. In doing so, he shows that he is ignorant of legal technicalities, because Belle Reve, located in Laurel, Mississippi, wouldn’t fall under New Orleans jurisdiction. However, Stanley’s repeated references to ...
What does Stella tell Stanley to do when he walks in the door?
When Stanley walks in the door, Stella tells him that in order to spare Blanche the company of Stanley’s poker buddies in the apartment that night, she wants to take Blanche out, to New Orleans’s French Quarter. Stella explains Blanche’s ordeal of losing Belle Reve and asks that Stanley be kind to Blanche by flattering her appearance.
What does Stella say about Blanche losing Belle Reve?
Stella explains Blanche’s ordeal of losing Belle Reve and asks that Stanley be kind to Blanche by flattering her appearance. She also instructs Stanley not to mention the baby. Stanley is more interested in the bill of sale from Belle Reve. Stella’s mention of the loss of Belle Reve seems to convince Stanley that Blanche’s emotional frailty is an ...
What does Blanche describe the decline of her estate?
Her ancestors owned an enormous plantation, but the men so mishandled affairs with their “epic fornications” that only the house and a small parcel of land containing the family graveyard were left by the time Blanche and Stella were born. Blanche manages to disarm Stanley and convince him that no fraud has been perpetrated against anyone. Stanley lets slip that Stella is pregnant.
What is the difference between Scene One and Scene Two?
Whereas Scene One stresses the sexual attraction that drew Stella and Stanley to one another despite class differences, Scene Two shows Stanley acting disrespectful to Stella and antagonistic to her sister. Meanwhile, our compassion for Blanche increases as Williams reveals just how destitute she is by showing that all of her belongings in the world amount to a trunk full of gaudy dresses and cheap jewelry.
What does Stanley think of Stella?
As a man, Stanley feels that what Stella has belongs to him. He also hates Blanche as a woman and as a person with a more prestigious family name, and therefore suspects that Blanche’s business dealings have been dishonest. Blanche takes the first of many baths in this scene.
What does Stanley pull out of Blanche's trunk?
Looking for a bill of sale, Stanley angrily pulls all of Blanche’s belongings out of her trunk. To him, Blanche’s glitzy evening dresses, feather boas, fur stoles, and costume jewelry look expensive, and he assumes she has spent the family fortune on them.
