Tragic Structure & Language

Tragic Structure and Language

Williams shapes the structural pattern of the text as it moves from order to disorder, through climax to resolution, and uses language to shape the tragedy.

Structure

This play is not a conventional tragedy.
We know that Blanche is unhappy when we first meet her. She is trying to make the best of things – and in order to survive, she has to lie.
The drama’s run from order to disorder happens when Blanche’s lies are exposed.
She was once prosperous but had to leave that behind because of bad decisions taken in Laurel.

Climax

The climax of the play comes when Stanley rapes Blanche.
Events are resolved when Blanche is taken away to recover in a mental institution.
The audience notes that despite events of the play, Stella chooses to still stick with "brutal desire" in the form of Stanley.
Mitch is broken-hearted.

Tragic Language

Williams uses language in the following ways to heighten the tragedy:

Blanche

Blanche concerns herself with the language of poetry and music of bohemianism but rarely confronts the truth; her language is often woolly and evasive.

Mitch

Mitch’s language is initially kindly and supportive, in that he tries to help Blanche. But in the end, he becomes bitter and harsh when he attempts to assault her.

Other language

The use of the language of the city of New Orleans enhances the tragic mood.
The language of gambling shows how fragile life is and that that life is also a game or a gamble.

Stanley and Stella

Stanley’s language is cynical, sceptical and interrogative throughout the play.
Stanley uses lots of working-class phraseology; Blanche’s language is more educated.
Stella’s language is conciliatory. She tries to be the voice of reason.

Tragic Plots and Sub-Plots

Here's how Williams uses plots and sub-plots to enhance the tragedy:

Plots involving Mitch

Mitch and his unwell mother.
Mitch's relationship with Blanche.

Steve and Eunice

The story of Eunice and Steve as a comparative pair to Stanley and Stella.

Blanche's men and past

The use of the entry of the Young Man.
Blanche’s reliance on Shep Huntleigh and the back-story of her relationship with him.
The whole true story of Blanche’s time in Laurel.

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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