Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-1-tragic-ideas [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [English Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature.md) › [Cambridge International](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international.md) › Tragic Ideas # 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 ![Type of tragic text](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/b3504cd0-795f-4f30-9aaa-9fa3a30a1df4/tragedy-drama.png) - 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 ![Settings](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/de64af19-53a3-4a68-9afe-57b2bf6ec71f/new-orleans-gothic-french-quarter-louisiana-hurricane-katrina-before-.jpg) - 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 ![Death of the tragic heroine](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/bb541ff2-ddb9-4f29-9459-709a3736ecf2/autumn-death-graveyard-die-.jpg) - 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 ![Flaws of the tragic heroine](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/799097b1-350a-4a73-9ecf-b9274d6ea248/error-.jpg) - 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 ![Role of fate](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/4ea09a5f-0dfa-4586-aa44-6fa2b0cef77a/tarot-card-wheel-fortune-luck-chance-guess-fate-.jpg) - 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 ![Behaviour of the heroine](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/b0f6077f-1d88-47a2-a9d1-2b81d56a97f2/grenade-war-.jpg) - 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 ![Moments of humour and happiness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/df357add-708f-45c9-8be1-2b3807d41145/Comedy-Laughing-Laughter-Man-Chuckle.jpg) - 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 ![Revenge](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/aba8ac4b-ccb7-4de5-9cfe-f8a94ac0a40d/violent-fist-glass-borken-aggressive-.jpg) - 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? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ad22e856-96b3-43a8-b7b6-33dcaf9f3494/section/cf2d0547-8a0d-4232-b6ed-459bab0c5ccc/session) - Previous topic: [6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-4-end-of-topic-test-critical-debates.md) - Next topic: [7.1.2 Tragic Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-2-tragic-villain.md) ## Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire contents ### 1 Context & Overview - 1.1 The Author - [1.1.1 Tennessee Williams](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-1-1-tennessee-williams.md) - 1.2 Social Context & Setting - [1.2.1 Social Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-1-social-context.md) - [1.2.2 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-2-social-issues.md) - [1.2.3 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-2-3-setting.md) - 1.3 Tragedy - [1.3.1 Overview of the Tragic Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-1-overview-of-the-tragic-genre.md) - [1.3.2 Modern Domestic Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-2-modern-domestic-tragedy.md) - [1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/1-3-3-end-of-topic-test-author-context-and-tragedy.md) ### 2 Scene Summaries - 2.1 Scene One-Two - [2.1.1 Scene One: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-1-scene-one-summary.md) - [2.1.2 Scene One: Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-2-scene-one-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.1.3 Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-3-scene-two-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.1.4 End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-1-4-end-of-topic-test-scenes-one-two.md) - 2.2 Scene Three-Four - [2.2.1 Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-1-scene-three-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.2.2 Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-2-scene-four-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-scenes-three-and-four.md) - 2.3 Scenes Five-Eigth - [2.3.1 Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-1-scene-five-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.3.2 Scene Six: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-2-scene-six-summary.md) - [2.3.3 Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-3-scene-seven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.3.4 Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-4-scene-eight-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-scenes-five-eight.md) - 2.4 Scenes Nine-Eleven - [2.4.1 Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-1-scene-nine-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.2 Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-2-scene-ten-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.3 Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-3-scene-eleven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.4 End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/2-4-4-end-of-topic-test-scenes-nine-eleven.md) ### 3 Character Profiles - 3.1 Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski - [3.1.1 Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-1-blanche-dubois-the-past-and-illusions.md) - [3.1.2 Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-2-blanche-dubois-relationship-with-men-and-breakdown.md) - [3.1.3 The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-3-the-dynamic-between-blanche-and-stanley.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-blanche-and-stanley.md) - 3.2 Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch) - [3.2.1 Stella Kowalski](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-2-1-stella-kowalski.md) - [3.2.2 Harold Mitchell (Mitch)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-2-2-harold-mitchell-mitch.md) - 3.3 Minor Characters - [3.3.1 The Hubbels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-1-the-hubbels.md) - [3.3.2 Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-2-other-characters.md) - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-stella-mitch-and-others.md) ### 4 Key Ideas - 4.1 Sex & Gender - [4.1.1 Sex & Desire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-1-sex-and-desire.md) - [4.1.2 Masculinity & Femininity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-2-masculinity-and-femininity.md) - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-sex-desire-and-gender.md) - 4.2 Appearances, Fantasy & Reality - [4.2.1 Outer & Inner Appearances](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-1-outer-and-inner-appearances.md) - [4.2.2 Fantasy & Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-2-fantasy-and-reality.md) - [4.2.3 End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/4-2-3-end-of-topic-test-appearances-fantasy.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Structure - [5.1.1 Structure & Stage Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-1-structure-and-stage-design.md) - [5.1.2 Linking Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-2-linking-devices.md) - [5.1.3 Recurring Motifs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-1-3-recurring-motifs.md) - 5.2 Genre, Form & Language - [5.2.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-1-genre.md) - [5.2.2 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-2-form-and-language.md) - [5.2.3 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/5-2-3-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) ### 6 Critical Debates - 6.1 Early & Modern Reception - [6.1.1 Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-1-1-interpreting-blanche-and-self-pity.md) - [6.1.2 Contemporary & Modern Reviews](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-1-2-contemporary-and-modern-reviews.md) - 6.2 Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach - [6.2.1 Feminist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-1-feminist-approach.md) - [6.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-2-psychoanalytic-approach.md) - [6.2.3 Marxist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-3-marxist-approach.md) - [6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/6-2-4-end-of-topic-test-critical-debates.md) ### 7 Ideas About Tragedy - 7.1 Ideas About Tragedy - [7.1.1 Tragic Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-1-tragic-ideas.md) - [7.1.2 Tragic Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-2-tragic-villain.md) - [7.1.3 Tragic Structure & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-3-tragic-structure-and-language.md) - [7.1.4 Tragic Plots & Sub-Plots](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/7-1-4-tragic-plots-and-sub-plots.md) ### 8 Recap: Main Quotes - 8.1 Main Quotes by Scene - [8.1.1 Scene One - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-1-scene-one-quotations.md) - [8.1.2 Scene Two - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-2-scene-two-quotations.md) - [8.1.3 Scene Three - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-3-scene-three-quotations.md) - [8.1.4 Scene Four - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-4-scene-four-quotations.md) - [8.1.5 Scene Five - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-5-scene-five-quotations.md) - [8.1.6 Scene Six - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-6-scene-six-quotations.md) - [8.1.7 Scene Seven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-7-scene-seven-quotations.md) - [8.1.8 Scene Eight - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-8-scene-eight-quotations.md) - [8.1.9 Scene Nine - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-9-scene-nine-quotations.md) - [8.1.10 Scene Ten - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-10-scene-ten-quotations.md) - [8.1.11 Scene Eleven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/cambridge-international/8-1-11-scene-eleven-quotations.md)