What are the contrasts between Stanley and Blanche in "A Streetcar named Desire"?
What are the contrasts between Blanche and Stanley in 'A streetcar named desire'? Blanche and Stanley are at juxtaposition towards each other, there is a conflict between them that goes beyond simply disliking one another. One of the explanations for this is that Blanche comes from a very different world to Stanley. In many ways Stanley's represents new America whereas Blanche represents the old, America. This contrast of hard working, manual labour against well mannered, chivalrous and delicate is one of the very first conflicts of culture. In a way Blanche represents the old south, which in history supported slavery. We can see Blanche representing the confederacy, the posh upper class slave owners and Stanley as the would-be slave, resentful of his treatment from the South and by Blanche. Another contrast is the animalistic natures of the two characters. In many ways Blanche is like a moth. Her delicate nature and fragility invoke images of the cover of the book. Stanley is more like a bear, a heavily territorial creature that will fiercely protect its mate. Further evidence that Blanche is like a moth can be seen in her behaviour. Moths never really stay in one place; they flit from place to place, and in Blanches case from one danger to another. The cover shows a harsh light bulb, which is the harsh reality of the world in a sense. Blanche often seeks out the light
How does Williams use dramatic devices in A Streetcar Named Desire to heighten the tragic aspects of the play?
How does Williams use dramatic devices in A Streetcar Named Desire to heighten the tragic aspects of the play? Williams uses many dramatic devices to develop the play as a tragedy including: symbolism, stage directions and sounds. A Streetcar Named Desire can be seen as a modern domestic tragedy as the characters are not of noble birth and the play has specific focus on a female protagonist and anti-heroine, in this case Blanche. Blanche is often difficult to have an affinity with as she can come across as snobbish and over dramatising however, her fragility leads her to be a truly tragic figure much like that of Ophelia in Hamlet. Both characters are destroyed by the death of their loved ones and both suffer deaths themselves; albeit, in different ways. Williams uses symbolism to great effect within the play. In scene 1 the stage directions describe Blanche as “a moth”. William’s uses stage directions as a crucial dramatic device, making them highly detailed so when performed on stage it could be exactly as described; they became a signature of his. Instantly, a scene of tragedy is set as a moth is fragile however essentially a creature of self destruction, in its quest towards light it often ends up destroying itself. This sense of foreshadowing intensifies the tragedy from the very beginning, suggesting no matter what Blanche does, or how hopeful things are the
How does Blanche control the agenda and conversation in this dialogue? (Scene 6 pg 68-72, A Streetcar Named Desire)
How does Blanche control the agenda and conversation in this dialogue? (Scene 6 pg 68-72) Blanche very much so leads the conversation between her and Mitch. She speaks in an imperative tone towards him, stating that she ‘wants you to have a drink!’. This portrays how she is in control and can divert the issue of whether she ‘wants a drink?’, by playing the role of the hostess. She insists they have a drink because despite Blanche wanting one, she will not have a drink unless Mitch does so too, and so she manages to hide her weakness and need to drink by demanding that Mitch joins her. Blanche guides the conversation by asking questions because she knows that Mitch is inclined to answer. She asks ‘Why should you be so doubtful?’ in the hope that Mitch will answer in a way that she desires to make her feel wanted. Blanche is careful to guide the conversation around the agenda she wishes to speak about, for example when she speaks of ‘the kiss I objected to’, it makes her feel dominant in comparison to Mitch, and desired. Mitch cannot deviate from the conversation because Blanche always asks a question to bring the focus back to her chosen agenda. This is shown when Mitch attempts to deviate and asks ‘how old are you?’, whereby Blanche replies by questioning ‘Why do you want to know?’. Blanche speaks in an instructive manner and an authoritative tone
Though A Streetcar Named Desire doesnt end with the protagonists death, it is nonetheless a tragedy. By examining Williams dramatic methods, discuss to what extent you agree with this view.
“Though A Streetcar Named Desire doesn’t end with the protagonist’s death, it is nonetheless a tragedy”. By examining William’s dramatic methods, discuss to what extent you agree with this view. Arguably, despite the fact that “A Streetcar Named Desire” doesn’t end with the death of Blanche, it is still a tragedy for many reasons. However, there has been much debate about whether this play should be called a tragedy, as typically, a tragedy is described as a genre that focuses on failure, conflict and disaster, where the three aspects of suffering, chaos and death are emphasised, and it usually ends in the death of the protagonist. However, as Blanche does not die at the end of the play, some have argued that it should not be a tragedy at all. In the play, Williams uses symbolism as a dramatic method to highlight certain tragic elements of the play. One example is the Varsouvianna polka music heard only in Blanche’s head. This music is first apparent at the end of Scene One, when Stanley asks Blanche about her marriage:”[The music of the polka rises up, faint in the distance]”,and represents Blanche’s tragic past with her husband. When her dead husband is first mentioned by Stanley, her response reveals her strong emotions: “The boy-the boy died[She sinks back down]”.The use of the dash to show the falter in her speech, shows how difficult it is
Explore the methods used by Williams in the first two scenes of A Street Car Named Desire to introduce the audience to the themes of the play
Explore the methods used by Williams in the first two scenes of A Street Car Named Desire to introduce the audience to the themes of the play Within the first two scenes of A Street Car Named Desire, Tennessee Williams establishes introductions to a number of major themes of the play using various methods. One of the first themes addressed in the play is the contrast between the Old and the New South. Williams uses the device of characterisation and language to show the predominant differences between the old and new areas. For example, through the characterisation of Blanche it is indicated that she represents the Old South’s intellectual romanticism and dedication to appearances. Williams presents this through the juxtaposition of Blanche’s dainty and polished appearance against the shabby and weathered environment of New Orleans. In his stage directions, Williams chooses the word ‘incongruous’ to highlight the significant contrast between the appearances of the Old South (portrayed by Blanche) and the New South. Williams also uses the characterisation of Stanley as a symbol of the New South’s ruthless pursuit of success and economic pragmatism. For example, when he portrays the pragmatic and adamant side of Stanley’s character in his relentless repetition of the Napoleonic Code in Scene Two. Williams utilises the devise of stage directions to show the
Some critics believe that A Streetcar Named Desire is a failure as a tragedy as it's so ambiguous - audience don't know who to side with. Discuss this view of the play.
Some critics believe that A Streetcar Named Desire is a failure as a tragedy as it's so ambiguous - audience don't know who to side with. Discuss this view of the play. In many ways Streetcar takes a very untraditional approach to its tragic aspects and follows the more modern domestic tragedies however it does still follow many of the aspects of a classical tragedy according to Aristotle. Aristotle's aspects begins with the hero starting in a high position, whilst Blanche is not in a high position she does act as if she is by looking down on Stella's home. But aspects such as the unity of time, place and action as well as the redemption of the hero are almost completely ignored. This doesn't make it a failure however as particularly with the redemption of the hero these things often turn the play into more of a tragedy; it begins to feel a little more real and relatable this makes life itself seem more like a tragedy and you resign yourself to the idea that the story has no end to it because the tragedy of life will never end. One of Aristotle's aspects that we see quite greatly throughout the play is that of the hubris and the hamartia which is the fatal flaw that causes their downfall. Blanche has many flaws but her hamartia is her delusions, she tells Mitch how she 'doesn't want realism' and how she'll even 'tell [people] what ought to be truth.' It's this that causes
How does Williams develop our understanding of Stanley in this scene? As well as looking at his speech & actions, also consider the relationship he has with both Stella and Blanche.
How does Williams develop our understanding of Stanley in this scene? As well as looking at his speech & actions, also consider the relationship he has with both Stella and Blanche Scene 2 Williams shows Stanley as loud, sexist, aggressive and an over-powering animalistic character. Stanley's actions are largely motivated by his wish to protect his wife and unborn baby; this is a natural reaction for which he should not be judged on. Stanley sees Blanche as a threat, an invasion of his territory, something that needs to be dealt with. Stanley is continuously described as brutish by Blanche; a fact that he never protests. In my opinion Blanche is as much if not more to blame for her eventual downfall at the hands of Stanley. From very early on Stanley establishes himself as a symbol of the old World. From the beginning we see that Blanche does not fit in with the people of her new community, also she is unable to fit in with her physical surroundings in her new home. We can see that she did not fit in with the people of the community by comparing the manner in which women in the story handle their social life with men. Much of Blanche's attitude shows how she is unwilling to accept the new world and so also unwilling to accept Stanley. Blanche understands, as if by instinct, the threat that Stanley represents. She knows that he has no need for the polite evasions that are
How important are illusions and fantasy as themes in 'A Streetcar Named Desire?'
How important are illusions and fantasy as themes in 'A Streetcar Named Desire?' 'A Streetcar Named Desire', by Tennessee Williams, explores many important themes and issues in the book. The main theme Williams investigates and explores to the audience, is illusion and fantasy. Each character in the book contributes to creating, adding to and destructing fantasies and illusions, and I feel it is a very important theme in the book, as it represents and symbolises other issues Williams explores with the audience. The play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' revolves around the character Blanche Dubois; therefore, the main theme of the drama concerns her directly. In Blanche, the audience is shown the tragedy of an individual, caught between two worlds - the world of her past and the world of her present, unwilling to let go of the past and unable, because of her character, to come to any sort of terms with her present. The final result at the end of the play is the deterioration of her mind and character and her self-destruction. Blanche dwells in illusion; fantasy is her primary means of self-defence against her weaknesses and shortcomings. The story begins with Blanche going to New Orleans to stay with her sister Stella and her husband Stanley. Straight away, we are introduced to Blanche's illusions and the battle between the illusions and the characters begins. We are introduced to
Assess the view that Tennessee Williams use of symbolism in "A Street Car Named Desire" enhances the audiences understanding of the characters and themes in the play.
Assess the view that Tennessee Williams' use of symbolism in A Street Car Named Desire enhances the audience' understanding of the characters and themes in the play. Symbolism plays a large role in A Streetcar Named Desire, although it may be a discreet one. The tragic elements of the story are illustrated through many symbols and add meaning to the story and foreshadow upcoming events. Many scenes have stood out, such as the famous poker scene and the characters language and imagery have helped to develop the story for the audience's understanding. The main protagonist in the play is Blanche Dubois, a fading southern belle, as the story follows her visit to her sister in New Orleans and brings chaos and turmoil into lives of many other characters in her sister's life, such as her husband Stanley and his friends. The male dominance in the play is strongly influenced by the presence of Stanley Kowalski. The headstrong character is a modern man; he has a tight hold over his wife Stella. As he throws a package of meat for her to catch she is more then reluctant and delighted to catch which symbols her infatuation and his sexual dominance and power over her is obvious. Stanley shows animalistic characteristics in his animal-like behaviour that he produces, he eats like an animal at the table and refers to himself as a 'king' in his own home. Male dependency is a definitive key
Analyse how Tennessee Williams uses language and dramatic techniques to explore attitudes to identity in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. Make close reference
Analyse how Tennessee Williams uses language and dramatic techniques to explore attitudes to identity in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. Make close reference to an extract in the play. Go on to show your understanding of the significance of attitudes to identity in the play as a whole. Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' has a full variety of attitudes to identity which are demonstrated through the various characters. Attitudes to identity are important in the play as it gives us a background to the character's lives and who they think they are, also how others perceive them. Mitch's character, for example, can be seen to represent various attitudes to identity; he could be seen as being unsure about who he is, he could be seen as having a masculine life with Stanley and his friends, but then he also has to tend to his mother where he is perhaps seen as not such a masculine man. He is also caught between Blanche, Stanley and his mother; as he can't be the same to all three. Attitudes to identity are shown clearly in scene eight; this is just after Blanche's birthday when Stanley has told Mitch everything he knows about Blanche's past. This is an important scene in presenting the character's attitudes. We are given further insight into the relationship that Stanley and Stella share and also that of Stella and Blanche; showing us how Stella is sometimes torn between her
