2.1.2

Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

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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.
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-Two

2.1.1Scene One: Summary2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas2.1.3Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.1.4End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two
2.2

Scene Three-Four

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

Scenes Five-Eigth

2.3.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.3.2Scene Six: Summary2.3.3Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.3.4Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.3.5End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight
2.4

Scenes Nine-Eleven

2.4.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.2Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.3Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.4End 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 Hubbels3.3.2Other Characters3.3.3End 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 Ideas7.1.2Tragic Villain7.1.3Tragic Structure & Language7.1.4Tragic Plots & Sub-Plots
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 Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

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

  1. 1
    How is Stanley presented in Scene One?True / false
  2. 2
    What does Blanche seem cagey about in Scene One?Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Which of these tragic components of Blanche's past life do we find out in Scene One?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Which two characters does Stella seem to be caught in between? Fill in the list
  5. 5
    How does the play depict the tragedy of an unequal society?Multiple choice
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Scene One: Summary

Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas