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streetcar essay plan - Coggle Diagram
streetcar essay plan
Stagecraft in a streetcar named desire
How does Williams use stagecraft to deconstruct facades, plastic theatre to expose the oppressive nature of society’s construction of masculinity, gives voice to characters whove been rendered voiceless
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plastic theatre to expose the oppressive nature of society’s construction of masculinity, how did this interact w the behaviour/presentation of male characters
Stanley “grabs” wand “seizes” the violent invasion of the domestic space
“Stanley’s always smashed things” , “he seizes”, “jerks” “lifts her off her feet” his actions convey . Violence is almost innate for him, even in the intimate act of sex Stanley wants to “make noise”, his masculinity must feature in all his actions.
the use of tableau vivant - where the Van Gough’s painting is recreated, lots of expressionist technique which conveys and foreshadows the violent actions which are to come in the scene, "direct and powerful as the primary colours" this idea of masculinity which is constructed by society affects how the men present themselves and identify masculinity (think of chimamanda danger of a single story)
ALAN GREY - exists only through stagecraft exposes the facade that the brutal treatment of homosexuals was normal
Allan's prescence exists in the play through his musical motif ' The Vesuvian Polka' which "rises up faint in the distance" his physical absence renders him voiceless, only represented by sound and further estranged as his only other form of vocal representation comes from his own 'murderer' Blanche, who fails to identify Allan as anything other than homosexual through her vague descriptions of him as "soft" and "different" highlight the normalisation of the alienation of homosexual members of society
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the gothic in a streetcar named desire - Williams explores the themes of gothic and horrors through the portrayal of the fading South and the haunting experiences of the protagonist, Blanche. This essay will delve into how Williams presents these elements in the play, highlighting the degradation of enslaved people in the bourgeoisie and the oppressive effects of Blanche's heteronormative ideals on her lovers. Furthermore, the representation of Blanche as a transgressive woman embodies society's treatment of such individuals, emphasising the grotesque nature of her character.
Society’s treatment of the transgressive woman - Blanche embodies the grotesque - pg3 “incongruous to the setting”white dress white pearls VS Blanche on pg90 - blanche as a horror bride, Stanley represents the new america's continuation of the old south's ill treatment of the transgressive woman patriarchal construction of society which allows women to be dominated by men
when acting in accordance with her assigned gender performance, when she's "daintily dressed" she's perceived as superior and above the other surrounding women, her acceptance of 'femininity' which is displayed in her costume "white suit", "white pearls" allow her to be well-received by her new environment HOWEVER she transgresses these expectations when she appears in a "red,satin robe" this sexual symbol sees Blanche depart from the innocent,pure illusion she was upholding from the outset of the play. her disobedience of the patriarchal status quo must be punished hence her expulsion from society as she refuses to conform with ideals and believes she "has got to be seductive" and use her sexuality as protection of herself and her lifestyle
haunting - Allan's haunting of Blanche exposes the facade that the brutal treatment of homosexuals was 'normal' Blanche’s repression of Allan’s existent presence and voice ensures his return as an avenging fury haunting her till her inevitable collapse and forcing her to relive her trauma.
Allan's prescence exists in the play through his musical motif ' The Vesuvian Polka' which "rises up faint in the distance" his physical absence renders him voiceless, only represented by sound and further estranged as his only other form of vocal representation comes from his own 'murderer' Blanche, who fails to identify Allan as anything other than homosexual through her vague descriptions of him as "soft" and "different" highlight the normalisation of the alienation of homosexual members of society,
ultimately, Blanche is haunted by her oppressive attempts to force her heteronormative ideals on her lovers, Allan Grey in particular.
CTX: despite being a gay man himself Williams is forced to comply w enforced Sodomy laws in the 40s which forced playwrights to censor homosexuality, resulting in the repression of the queer voice in society as well as the arts. in 1947 gay sex was considered a criminal act hence homosexuality could only be vaguely alluded to "soft" "effeminate"
fading of the south highlights the harsh reality that the bourgeoisie is built on the degradation of enslaved/ people as a result of this the south fails to survive without the exploitation of the enslaved - Blanche's monologue . Class conflict is prominent as the play represents the decline of the aristocratic families traditionally associated with the South. These once-influential families had lost their historical importance when the South’s agricultural base was unable to compete with the new industrialisation, hence the tension between Stanley and Blanche who represent two conflicting ideologies.
abolishing of slavery creates a shift away from aristocracy to the new america dominated by the 'American Dream' a society in which Blanche, a sensitive, non-conformist is bound to fail due to her cultural capital being built upon her wealth which is no longer valid in society - as an audience we may feel almost sympathetic to Blanche who seems genuinely unable to function in this new foreign America
setting : setting is used as a vehicle to highlight the concealed reality of post war society , rife with social tensions and conflicts
conflicts and tensions regarding gender roles are highlighted by the cramped apartment setting - acts as a microcosm for the struggle to return to pre-war gender norms , thus the setting acts as a vehicle for the repression of women as
the domestic space is invaded by men - setting exposes women as unsafe in all environment
new orleans 'incongruous to the setting' highlights class conflict as blanche intends to impose traditional values in the new american society - this conflict is embodied by the stanley v blanche conflict - tense emotions, degrading, battle for legacy - old south v new america
ironically it is the seemingly inclusive and diverse setting of new orleans which is used to expose the concealed racial tensions which exist even after the civil war (about slavery) - renders ethnic characters voiceless - unnamed black woman