Tragic Ideas
Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 7.1.1
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.
Test yourself on Tragic Ideas
Which of these are true of A Streetcar Named Desire?
Where is Blanche when characters tend to discuss her?
In what ways is Blanche flawed?
How does Blanche cause chaos in the play?
How does Williams use the idea of fate to further the tragedy of the play?