Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: What do you learn about Maggie from the way Tennessee Williams has presented her so far?
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: What do you learn about Maggie from the way Tennessee Williams has presented her so far? The character Margaret is married to Brick, the son of Big Daddy. They live together in Big Daddy's house, along with his wife, Big Mama. We, as readers learn a lot about her character from the way she speaks, by what is said about her and by the stage directions. We also gain a good insight into her relationships with the people around her. Margaret's relationship with Brick comes across as quite bizarre. His lack of interest in what she has to say gives the impression that he doesn't care and also shows a slight lack of respect. For example, when Brick replies to Maggie's first line in the play, he says "Wha'd you say, Maggie?..." The stage directions prior to his response read "A tone of politely feigned interest, masking indifference or worse." Other stage directions describing his attitude to Maggie's statements share the same negativity; such as "Without interest.", "Wryly", "Absent mindedly", "Dreamily", followed by sarcastic comments. We also get the impression that Brick doesn't find his wife as attractive as other men do. On page twenty-one, Maggie says "Way he always drops his eyes down my body when I'm talkin' to him, drops his eyes to my boobs an' licks his old chops!" The fact that she's telling her husband how other men show interest in her comes
Tennessee Williams as the Playwright of the American Family.
Section 5: Tennessee Williams as the Playwright of the American Family Family has always been the center of every American dream. It is the one goal that every American wishes to accomplish. Unfortunately, family is never perfect in the real world. Though the "Leave it to Beaver" family is a typical ideal American family, it is not realistic. Tennessee Williams makes it a point to illustrate the American family as it is, instead of how it should be. His raw, down-to-earth approach to plays is perhaps why he has catapulted to fame and recognition. A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof exemplify this notion, and Williams is effective in his portrayal of the American family in its true form. Like most families, in-laws are burdensome and are consistent threats to the family's stability. Such is illustrated in Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, and he does this in a variety of ways. First of all, it is important to understand that life between Stanley and Stella was good before Blanche's arrival. As Stanley puts it, "Wasn't we happy together, wasn't it all okay till she showed here?" (112). Williams illustrates the conflict that Blanche causes in the Kowalski household through a series of constant attempts to steal Stella from Stanley. For instance, after the fight, Blanche exclaims, "What were you thinking of.... How could you come back in this place
Assess the view that Tennessee Williams use of symbolism in A Streetcar 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 Streetcar Named Desire enhances the audiences understanding of the characters and themes in the play. Tennessee Williams' uses many literary techniques in A Streetcar Named Desire but the most valuable in constructing the plot and evoking understanding into the audience would be the technique of symbolism. The use of symbolism is effective in the due to the fact that it generates thoughts in the readers mind through a non-verbal narrative. The thoughts produced make it easier for the interpreter to form imagery and relate to the story. Williams use of symbolism help the audience to comprehend the themes and characters. One way in which symbolism is used is through the medium of light. In the beginning of the play when we learn more about the protagonist, Blanche DeBois, we find that she is not keen on the glare of a "naked light". Some may interpret this as Blanches' vain nature present as she fears people will see her faded looks. Her faded looks suggest that she is growing old and maybe the fear is less based on her vanity and in fact that she fears of being forgotten, like her ancestors and Belle Reeve which are both lost. This is further supported by her grasping for attention throughout the play and through conversations, for example when Blanche speaks to Stella she explains that men "...don't even admit
Blanche and Stanley are the protagonists of the play - "A Streetcar Named Desire". Discuss the supporting roles of Stella and Mitch.
Man Ju Y12D English Blanche and Stanley are the protagonists of the play - "A Streetcar Named Desire". Discuss the supporting roles of Stella and Mitch. In this essay, I will discuss the supporting roles of Stella and Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire". To begin with, I would like to introduce briefly the background of these two characters. Stella Kowalski, Blanche's younger sister, about twenty-five years old and have a mild disposition. She possesses the same timeworn aristocratic heritage as Blanche, but she left her hometown for New Orleans in her late teens. There, Stella married to the lower-class Stanley. The other role, Mitch, who is Stanley's army buddy, co-worker, and poker buddy, courts Blanche until he finds out that she lied to him about her past. Mitch, like Stanley, is around thirty years old. Though he is clumsy and sweaty, Mitch is more sensitive and more gentlemanly than Stanley and his other friends. Here, I will begin to discuss more in depth about these two supporting roles. First, I would like to talk about Stella. Starting with her name, Stella DuBois suggests symbols since Stella means star, giving her the quality of delicacy and softness. Stella is totally different to her sister, Blanche. She is a "gentle woman", and has different outlooks and attitudes to life and other people compared to her sister. The only thing the two women share is
Slate & Me and Blanch McBride by Georgia Savage - review.
Slate & Me and Blanch McBride by Georgia Savage Many people think that reading the end of a novel first will ruin the enjoyment. This is because they have not yet read Slate & Me and Blanch McBride by Georgia Savage, who has made this boring and out-of-order book into an interesting, meaningful and enjoyable novel. The book is written in three parts, 'After', 'Before', and 'And Later'. Written in this order had some major influences on my response to the novel. At first it was frustrating, confusing, unmeaning, and continuation of the word 'What?' going through my head, but as I read through the rest of the book, it started to make more sense and I was able fill in the gaps that was in the earlier chapters of the book. Most novel expositions slowly draw us into the setting and character of a novel. Part One, the 'After' part of Slate & Me and Blanch McBride, however, starts with a one page italicised section, which illustrates to us the scene of the bank robbery. This page tells us that the main character in this book is a very brave person because when Del's old man said "Get the gun, Del" he actually stopped and made sure Del had picked up the gun because most people would just run away as fast as they could. Then the situation suddenly changes to Wyn on a train and trying to escape from the police. This got me confused because at the start I was wondering what the
Tennessee Williams is described as having created fugitives. Discuss how Blanche is a fugitive, and from what she is fleeing.
Tennessee Williams is described as having created fugitives. Discuss how Blanche is a fugitive, and from what she is fleeing. There are very few moments in modern theatrical history that are truly worth recalling. In 1947, however, Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' was instrumental in revolutionising the very mindset of the theatrical world. To Williams, the polite drawing room comedy, which was still the staple diet available for the theatregoer, was unrealistic. In response, he left a trail of the shattered pieces of the 'American Dream' in his wake, focusing on the vitality - or lack thereof - of those, who, because of their lack of money and privileges, have to struggle actively to cope with all the problems that arise from their deprivation. Or, as Williams himself put it, "[I like to write about people]...that have problems, people that have to fight...that come close to cracking." Blanche DuBois is one such character. Her story began with her teenage marriage to Allan, whose silent suffering caused by his sexuality was mistaken for sensitivity by Blanche, a feature she found very attractive. She loved Allan unendurably: "All at once and much, much too completely. It was like you suddenly turned a blinding light on something had always been half in shadow..." Yet this light is 'switched off' when Allan - overcome with grief about his
What dramatic techniques and devices does Williams deploy in order to depict the different worlds/ backgrounds/ personalities of Blanche Dubois and Stanley Kowalski?
What dramatic techniques and devices does Williams deploy in order to depict the different worlds/ backgrounds/ personalities of Blanche Dubois and Stanley Kowalski? A Streetcar Named Desire is a play written by the great author Tennessee Williams. There are many themes that run through out the play such as death, passion, the past etc. The play was written in the 1950's and set in New Orleans. In many ways the characters in the play reflect Williams' family. Williams himself was isolated due to his sexual identity. I think Stanley Kowalski represents Williams's father who was an alcoholic, "tempered, coarse man". We can also say that Blanche represents Rose, Williams's sister who drove herself to madness just as Blanche does towards the end. The two main characters in the play are Stanley and Blanche. We already learn about Blanche Dubois through her name, Dubois means 'from the woods' and Blanche means 'white'. So her name means 'the white one from the woods'. Blanche tries to live up to her name which in away means innocent and pure. However she is the complete opposite. Having a meaning behind Blanches name depicts her fake personality as in reality she does not live up to her name. I have noticed that Stanley and the other men in the play have no imagery related to them because they are mundane and mediocre. The play is rich in symbols, contains vivid imagery and
The six texts represented and compared here are Macbeth, A Streetcar Named Desire, 'Enter Without So Much As Knocking,' 'Katrina,' The Collector and The Great Gatsby.
Year 11 English Literarure By Bonnie Ansems Long Essay Assignment Similarities in texts are often present and can be linked in many ways allowing readers to make comparisons. Although each text is unique in its construction there are similarities in theme, character and setting. The six texts represented and compared here are Macbeth, A Streetcar Named Desire, 'Enter Without So Much As Knocking,' 'Katrina,' The Collector and The Great Gatsby. Representations of men and women in each text will be discussed highlighting their similarities and differences as well as the relationships men and women have with each other. The challenging and reinforcing on my own notions of gender will also be discussed. Macbeth Gender is a major issue in the play Macbeth by Shakespeare representing the different roles portrayed by both men and women. Women during this medieval time were not allowed an education and played a domestic role in the home. The man however was the king of the family with absolute control. In Macbeth the female role of Lady Macbeth demonstrated the opposite of the reader's expectations of a woman in this era. She is portrayed to the reader as very assertive and plays an active and dominant role in her marriage and the plot of the play, not the traditional role of the subjugated wife. As Lady Macbeth drives her husband toward committing Duncan's murder, she indicates
Explore Williams use of dramatic symbolism in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'- English Lit
English Literature Whole text essay- Explore Williams use of dramatic symbolism in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' Tennessee Williams, once quoted as saying, "Symbols are nothing but the natural speech of drama...the purest language of plays", uses symbolism very effectively in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. This play reflects on the story of a woman's fall from grace having used her sexuality for almost all her life. Blanche is the protagonist of the play, alongside Stanley, and Williams constantly emphasises the recurring theme of these two opposing forces throughout the play. Symbolism plays an important role in the play as it allows the readers to link certain scenes of the play to the themes that Williams presents within the play. Colour is an extremely important symbol throughout the play. The description given of blanche in scene one refers to a lot of colour. "She is daintily dressed in a white suit... necklace and ear-rings of pearl, white gloves and a hat" The fact that Blanche is dressed in all white could symbolise her purity and her class. This can also be seen as ironic because as the plot develops we as readers realise that Blanche isn't as pure and innocent as she made out to be. Her appearance contrasts with the surroundings of New Orleans, "The houses are white frame...with rickety outside stairs", which immediately makes it clear that she is an outcast, and
In what ways can 'A Streetcar Named Desire' be seen as a modern tragedy?
In what ways can 'A Streetcar Named Desire' be seen as a modern tragedy? The ways in which 'A Streetcar Named Desire' by Tennessee Williams can be seen as a modern tragedy, or indeed as any tragedy is a subject of much contention. The answer lies in one's interpretation of the characters in the context of the genre; the tragedy is made or discarded depending on whether the audience's sympathy lies with Blanche or Stanley. In order to explore these interpretations one must define the features of modern tragedy as opposed to the ancient Aristotelian definition. The two share some features, such as the violation of the 'natural order' of social or personal relationships (i.e. Oedipus' incestuous relationship with his mother), and the focus on a tragic hero's fall from status, respect, and in classical tragedies from power and wealth. However, there are also stark differences in modern tragedy where (especially in Williams' plays) the hero is more likely to be feminine. Although this is not exclusive to modern tragedies - in Sophocles' 'Antigone' the protagonist is female - it is certainly a feature. Social issues are also treated more personally as the epic scale of civil unrest present in most Aristotelian tragedies is discarded in favor of a focus on a single family unit as a microcosm of social behaviour. As a result, the characters themselves become far more complex - a far
