7.1.2

Tragic Structure & Language

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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

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

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

  • 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

  • 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

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 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

Plots involving Mitch

  • Mitch and his unwell mother.
  • Mitch's relationship with Blanche.
Steve and Eunice

Steve and Eunice

  • The story of Eunice and Steve as a comparative pair to Stanley and Stella.
Blanche's men and past

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.
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 Tragic Structure & Language

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

  1. 1
    What is the climax of the play?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Tragic Structure of _A Streetcar Named Desire_Put in order
  3. 3
    What is the resolution of the play?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Whose language could be described as conciliatory? Multiple choice
  5. 5
    When does Mitch's language turn bitter?Multiple choice
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Tragic Ideas & Villain

Scene One - Quotations