Scene V, Blanche: "Come in"-"Ahhh Merciii" Discuss this extract in relation to the rest of the text paying attention to structure, form and use of language.
Scene V, Blanche: "Come in"-"Ahhh Merciii" Discuss this extract in relation to the rest of the text paying attention to structure, form and use of language. The ending section of scene five of Tennessee Williams's play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' has provoked much confusion and debate as to the writer's motives in regards to the portrayal of Blanche. One school of thought on the matter is that, in spite of the fact that Williams largely based the character of Blanche upon himself his primary aim in the play is to punish her for her failure to show empathy towards her homosexual husband Allan. Williams was of course a homosexual himself, living in a largely homophobic world where gayness was not a talked about subject. He often brought the issue up in his other works such as 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' where the characters Brick and Skipper and both portrayed as possible homosexuals. Blanches lack of empathy and compassion are highlighted once again in this extract when she totally fails to take into account the feelings of a second young man, and instead uses him to live out her fantasies of desire for her late husband. During the exchange between Blanche and the young man she is portrayed as seductive and dominant "I want to kiss you" making it clear that she is the one initiating the situation, this is a dramatic contrast to her normal persona around other men such as Mitch
Discuss the way Williams Presents the relationship between Blanche and Stanley explaining what you think is at stake in the conflict between them.
Name: Camille Reid Form: 6A Novel: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Instructions: Discuss the way Williams Presents the relationship between Blanche and Stanley explaining what you think is at stake in the conflict between them. Tennesse Williams is a brilliant playwright. He is the author of numerous well-known and excellent plays and his mastery of symbolism is obvious in the way he uses it to convey significant situations and qualities in his main characters. In A Streetcar Named Desire, two of his main characters, Blanche and Stanley, have conflicting personalities and it is in this particular play that his skill in the use of symbolism is most evident as he uses it to depict the relationship between the two, using many relevant symbols. In so doing, he manages to clearly identify to his audience what is at risk in the battle between Blanche and Stanley. This raises questions like who will win, how will he or she win and what will result from this victory or loss as the case may be. The imagery, which best describes the relationship between Blanche and Stanley is that of "the moth versus light", with Blanche being the moth and Stanley being the light. Williams achieves this effect by likening Blanche to a moth by constantly portraying her as being frail. For example, "her white clothes that suggest a moth" and "her delicate beauty must avoid strong light" are in the stage
How and Why does Williams dramatise the influence of the past on the present?
How and Why does Williams dramatise the influence of the past on the present? 'A Streetcar Named Desire' is a fascinating and intriguing play. The playwright, Tennessee Williams, uses many sound effects and dramatic devices to emphasize the influence of the past on the present in a mesmerizing and interesting way. It is upon the main character, Blanche, that Williams shows this influence. Many of these effects and devices are expressionistic and give us an insight into what Blanche feels at any one time, as they are a physical representation of Blanche's mental regression. Williams also uses a variety of naturalistic effects. These are stage directions which describe the realities of the quarter. The "Blue Piano" music and the cat which screeches in the first scene are both examples of this. On the other hand, expressionistic devices describe Blanche' psychological progression depending on what the context is. The most important example of this in the play is the Varsouviana, which appears regularly throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Blanche appears unexpectedly at her sister's home, the influence of the past begins to appear. The way she treats Stella reflects her desire to return to the past as she calls her "my baby" and "Stella for Star". It also seems that Blanche is trying to lay claim to Stella by reminding her that she is the younger sister and
Discuss the extent to which language creativity can be identified in everyday interaction in English, with reference to an extract of authentic language data that you have collected from everyday conversation, or dialogue between children, or computer-med
The art of English E301 TMA 02 Discuss the extent to which language creativity can be identified in everyday interaction in English, with reference to an extract of authentic language data that you have collected from everyday conversation, or dialogue between children, or computer-mediated conversation. Alternatively you may use an extract from CD-ROM 1, Band 6 (Sample stories) or Band 12 (Pretend Play). In this assignment the aim is to demonstrate to what extent language creativity is present in everyday language. The main discussion will evolve around a transcript from CD-ROM Band 12 from this course. This will be concluded with specific references to strengths and limitation features of studies into language creativity. Language creativity can be found in a wide variety of different language practices. One comes across it in anything from advertisements or banners to literature. For example, small children are also able to tell and receive a joke which means that they are capable of recognising creative play through the semantics of words. Children also like using their minds productively for instance either by making up their own stories or by re-telling a fairy tale. Moreover, it is particularly in early childhood that is the period of life and mode of being in which linguistic creativity occurs in interesting ways. Language play especially amongst children
To what extent does Williams portray Blanche as a tragic heroine in Scene 1?
Although there are many different viewpoints on a tragic hero, Aristotle made his views clear that a hero must fall from fortune and power, with a tragic flaw allowing the reader to empathise with the character. It is difficult to determine whether Blanche has these qualities from scene one, however there are clear signs that she is far from a conventional heroine. Williams has Blanche first enter the play in a naïve and shocked manner to display her lack of power and insecurity in society. As Blanche enters New Orleans, it is made clear that 'her appearance is incongruous' as Williams immediately presents her as an outsider to the community. The image Williams creates of her 'carrying a valise' whilst wearing a 'fluffy bodice' is a stark contrast to the urban surroundings and the 'easy intermingling of races'. Williams does this to encourage the audience to question her belonging in society, wondering why the main character has so little in common with the setting of the play. This lack of power makes it clear to the audience that Blanche is not a tragic heroine, with her reversal of fortune being hard to foresee. Therefore Williams uses Blanche's strange entrance to New Orleans to emphasise her lack of heroic qualities. Williams uses Blanche's hypocritical actions about alcohol to remove any pity the audience may have for her addiction. As Blanche first enters Stella's
