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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

1Context & Overview

1.1The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams

1.2Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context

1.2.2Social Issues

1.2.3Setting

1.3Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre

1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy

1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy

2Scene Summaries

2.1Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary

2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.2Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.3Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.5Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.6Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary

2.7Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.9Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.10Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven

3Character Profiles

3.1Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions

3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown

3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley

3.2Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski

3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.3Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others

4Key Ideas

4.1Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire

4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender

4.2Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances

4.2.2Fantasy & Reality

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

5Writing Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design

5.1.2Linking Devices

5.1.3Recurring Motifs

5.2Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre

5.2.2Form & Language

5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6Critical Debates

6.1Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity

6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews

6.2Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach

6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach

6.2.3Marxist Approach

6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates

7Ideas About Tragedy

7.1Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain

7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language

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