2.1.2
Scene One: Tragedy Ideas
Scene One: Tragedy Genre
Scene One: Tragedy Genre
Here are some key ideas that relate to the idea of tragedy:
Unequal society
Unequal society
- There is the wider tragedy of an unequal society in America, where certain ethnic groups are not given the opportunities of others.
Potential for Stanley to fall?
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.
Blanche's lies and future
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.
Role of Stella
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.
Representing America
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.
1Context & Overview
1.1The Author
1.2Social Context & Setting
2Scene Summaries
2.3Scene Three
2.5Scene Five
2.6Scene Six
2.7Scene Seven
2.9Scene Nine
2.10Scene Ten
3Character Profiles
3.1Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski
3.2Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
4Key Ideas
4.1Sex & Gender
4.2Appearances, Fantasy & Reality
5Writing Techniques
5.2Genre, Form & Language
6Critical Debates
6.1Early & Modern Reception
6.2Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach
7Ideas About Tragedy
7.1Ideas About Tragedy
Jump to other topics
1Context & Overview
1.1The Author
1.2Social Context & Setting
2Scene Summaries
2.3Scene Three
2.5Scene Five
2.6Scene Six
2.7Scene Seven
2.9Scene Nine
2.10Scene Ten
3Character Profiles
3.1Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski
3.2Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
4Key Ideas
4.1Sex & Gender
4.2Appearances, Fantasy & Reality
5Writing Techniques
5.2Genre, Form & Language
6Critical Debates
6.1Early & Modern Reception
6.2Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach
7Ideas About Tragedy
7.1Ideas About Tragedy
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