Tragic Ideas

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Ideas Relating to the Tragic Genre

Here are some ideas you could explore in relation to the tragic genre:

Type of tragic text

The type of the tragic text - whether it is classical and about public figures, or domestic and about representations of ordinary people:
- The tragic text is a dramatic tragedy.
- The action is domestic.
- The play is about a representation of ordinary people in 1940's America.
- The play draws on some classical archetypes.

Settings

The play is set in the post-World War Two period.
It is set over a period of weeks in the city of New Orleans.
The specific setting is Stanley and Stella’s apartment at Elysian Fields.
The street outside also forms a setting.
Several moments of action happen whilst Blanche is in the bathroom and is being discussed by others.

Death of the tragic heroine

Unlike Classical and Shakespeare tragedies, this drama does not culminate in the death of the protagonist, Blanche DuBois.
However, what Williams offers Blanche is almost a fate worse than death – and one which peculiarly relevant and scary for the middle of the twentieth century.

Flaws of the tragic heroine

Blanche’s flaw is her attempt to erase her past.
She is full of pride about her education and love of the good things in life, but she has compromised those.
Her folly was her decision to make love to a student whilst being a teacher and to ignite passion in both Stanley and Mitch
She is blind to the fact that she cannot re-invent herself and wants a quick fix.

Ideas Relating to the Tragic Genre (cont.)

Role of fate

It may be that the nature of Blanche DuBois as a strong but also vulnerable woman determines her fate.
There may also be something fatalistic in the attraction Stanley has for Blanche, demonstrating the flaws in his own marriage.
Blanche’s lies about her past mean that her end is inevitable: her mental collapse began earlier in the play when she learnt that Stella was pregnant.

Behaviour of the heroine

Everywhere Blanche goes, she appears to cause chaos and affect the lives of others.
- In the past, this was at the school in Laurel.
- In the present, this is with Stanley and Stella: Stanley is attracted to Blanche and he rapes her; Stella and Stanley’s marriage and future have been maimed by her presence.
- Mitch has been hurt through his relationship with her.
- The Young Man is confused about her actions.

Moments of humour and happiness

There are some jokes and moments of comedy in the play to relieve the tension.
- We see the possible happiness that Stella and Stanley might have with their baby.

Revenge

The audience notes that Stanley is, in fact, trying to get his revenge to discover the truth about Blanche.
Stanley is a violent figure, seen through his attack of Stella and his rape of Blanche DuBois.
Mitch also attempts to sexually assault Blanche.

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-Two

2.1.1Scene One: Summary

2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.1.3Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.2Scene Three-Four

2.2.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.2.2Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.3Scenes Five-Eigth

2.3.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.3.2Scene Six: Summary

2.3.3Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.3.4Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.4Scenes Nine-Eleven

2.4.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.2Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.3Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.4End 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

3.3.2Other Characters

3.3.3End 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

7.1.2Tragic Villain

7.1.3Tragic Structure & Language

7.1.4Tragic Plots & Sub-Plots

8Recap: Main Quotes

8.1Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations

8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations

8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations

8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations

8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations

8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations

8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations

8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations

8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations

8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations

8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

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