2.1.2

Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

Test yourself

Scene One: Tragedy Genre

Here are some key ideas that relate to the idea of tragedy:

Illustrative background for Unequal society Illustrative background for Unequal society  ?? "content

Unequal society

  • There is the wider tragedy of an unequal society in America, where certain ethnic groups are not given the opportunities of others.
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Potential for Stanley to fall?

  • A character like Stanley who seems ultra-masculine and takes on many male social traits, such as drinking and gambling, seems likely to suffer a fall of some kind in the future.
  • His actual Polish heritage seems distant: he is a new American trying to make his way in a growing economy.
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Blanche's lies and future

  • Blanche seems very cagey about her past and reasons for moving to New Orleans.
  • As the play progresses, we learn that she is not as confident as she first appears and that her narrative at the start is a lie.
  • Given this, her past may well catch up with her and she may face a tragic future. She may not face death (as in Classical or Shakespearean tragedy) but she may suffer another kind of horror.
  • We know that her life has already taken on some tragic elements e.g. the supposed death of her young husband.
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Role of Stella

  • Stella seems to be caught in the middle of two other very strong characters - Stanley (her husband) and Blanche (her sister).
  • She may find herself being a tragic victim as a result.
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Representing America

  • Considering the way the play is set up, the tragedy of this drama may represent a microcosm of wider, modern American during this period.

Jump to other topics

1Context & Overview

2Scene Summaries

3Character Profiles

4Key Ideas

5Writing Techniques

6Critical Debates

7Ideas About Tragedy

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