5.1.1

Structure & Stage Design

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Structure

The play is a modern play and the way that it is written matches this.

Eleven scenes

Eleven scenes

  • Williams unusually divides the play into eleven scenes.
  • A more usual tri-partite structure might have been to have nine scenes where there is an exposition, development and conclusion.
  • However, the basic structure is still in place – especially if we consider Scene One to be a kind of Preface to the action, whilst Scene Eleven acts as an epilogue.
Climax

Climax

  • The lead up to the climax of the play sees Blanche almost seduce another Young Man, Mitch’s rejection of her, and Stella going to the hospital to give birth.
  • The climax itself is the moment when Stanley rapes Blanche.
Timing of Scene Eleven

Timing of Scene Eleven

  • We know that Scene Eleven is a set a good while after the main action of the play – and this distance in time allows for Blanche’s mental breakdown to take place.
  • In fact, it is not depicted. The audience sees the full result of her decline when the Doctor and Nurse come to take her away.
Dramatic naturalism

Dramatic naturalism

  • The overall structure of the play may be described as dramatic naturalism.
  • However, Williams often integrates some melodramatic flashes to heighten tension and impact.
  • This is found in the way that Blanche uses signs and hand gestures.
  • Stanley also makes loud noises and is physically violent for dramatic effect.
Moralistic drama

Moralistic drama

  • A Streetcar Named Desire is a moralistic drama. This means the play is there to teach us something.
  • This may go back to the original function of Tragedy to put us through ‘fear’ and feel catharsis as the drama unfolds. The idea is that as an audience we are not to repeat the same mistakes as the characters on stage. We must learn from them.

Stage Design and Character Movements

Some modern dramatists are quite flexible with their use of stage directions, but Williams is very specific both in terms of stage design and character movements.

Set demands

Set demands

  • The set Williams needs is quite complex as the stage has to depict the apartment block, with the different rooms of Stanley and Stella’s apartment but also the Hubbel’s room above.
  • There needs to be a set of stairs and a stairwell, as well as a depiction of the street.
  • It would almost be impossible to depict this in a realistic way because it would be too large and complex a set.
Realistic set designs

Realistic set designs

  • Therefore, most designers develop a set that has some naturalistic elements but also some compromises.
  • For example, the apartment itself might be very detailed but there might just be simple scaffolding and steps to symbolise the spatial aspect of the apartment.
  • It is unlikely that the street would be given full set dressing.
  • Instead, the street may be represented with one or two simple items such a lamp-post and mail-box.
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Overview

1.1

The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams
1.2

Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context1.2.2Social Issues1.2.3Setting
1.3

Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy
2

Scene Summaries

2.1

Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas
2.2

Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two
2.3

Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.4

Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four
2.5

Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.6

Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary
2.7

Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.8

Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight
2.9

Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.10

Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.11

Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley
3.2

Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
3.3

Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others
4

Key Ideas

4.1

Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender
4.2

Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances4.2.2Fantasy & Reality4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design5.1.2Linking Devices5.1.3Recurring Motifs
5.2

Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre5.2.2Form & Language5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Critical Debates

6.1

Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews
6.2

Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach6.2.3Marxist Approach6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates
7

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language
8

Recap: Main Quotes

8.1

Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

Practice questions on Structure & Stage Design

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    How many scenes does _A Streetcar Named Desire_ have?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Events Leading up to the Climax of the PlayPut in order
  3. 3
    What is the climax of _A Streetcar Named Desire_?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What happens between Scenes Ten and Eleven?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What are the different components of Williams' set design?Fill in the list
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End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

Linking Devices