How does Williams create a sense of tension and drama for the audience in this extract?

How does Williams create a sense of tension and drama for the audience in this extract? You should analyse language closely and the way it’s crafted to create effects.

The creation of tension and drama is a key device which is demonstrated by Stella and Blanche when they discuss Stanley’s behaviour and the Kowalski’s primal desires for each other. Shocked from the previous violent episode which happened in scene three, Blanche unleashes her hidden opinions on Stella’s husband with cruel and venomous remarks on his traits and conduct. However, she is unaware of Stanley’s presence and snide intention of taking revenge.

Drama abounds within Blanche’s first line as the sisters discuss Stella’s marriage, ‘If you do I’ll laugh in your face.’ Blanche’s spiteful words create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience as know unpleasant words will be exchanged which may lead to a verbal argument. The line suggests Blanche’s tone is sarcastic as she mocks Stella for loving Stanley. Blanche is unable to except her sister’s addiction towards Stanley so she results to belittling and shaming her. ‘…in your face’ empathises Blanche’s attempt to gain power of the situation, which creates a distressing atmosphere for the audience.

Tension is created when Stella admits her desires for Stanley, ‘But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark – that sort of make everything else seem – unimportant [pause.]’ The line ‘…in the dark’ holds a sinister, menacing feeling as it shows that Stella’s primal instincts over powers her judgment which is intense for the audience; especially in the 1940/50’s. The use of the dashes in this line shows Stella is hesitant to share her need with her sister, this highlights the constriction of their views on Stella’s marriage. Also, the pause creates a rigid effect on the audience as they’re waiting for Blanche’s reply, which they understand to be shocked. The pause empathises the plays main theme of Desire which creates a tautness for the plays viewers.

‘- Where I’m not wanted and where I’m ashamed to be…’ The declarative sentence highlights that Blanche is an outcast to New Orleans and the new, modern world Stella and Stanley live in. Drama is established as the mood of the play shifts to displeasing. The use of the ellipsis adds affect to the tension created from the awkward conversation between the two sisters.

From the stage directions, the intensity of the situation increases as the sound of a train covers Stanley’s entrance into the scene. However, the noise of a train is uncomfortable and irritant to the ears, which may higher the tension the audience feels due to the dramatic irony for the situation. ‘He (Stanley) stands unseen by the women (Stella and Blanche)…’ Stella and Blanche are unaware of Stanley’s presence which implies there’s a melodramatic effect on the audience.

While comparing the difference between Stella’s and Stanley’s upbringing, drama is constructed as Stella feels irritated towards Blanche’s view which is there isn’t a gentle side to Stanley. ‘Not one particle, no!’ shows Blanche is unable to think of anything other than violence and anger to Stanley’s character due to his horrific act towards his wife. The audience is forced to watch their discussion as they partly agree with Blanche’s view about Stanley.

A strain is made between the two sisters when Stella speaks coldly ‘Go on say it all, Blanche.’ The imperative sentence shows the pressure on the situation as Stella becomes unimpressed and irritated by Blanche. Stella is encouraging Blanche to speak her mind so she knows her opinions, however Stella, who usually enjoys serving and following her sister, stands up to her in an attempt to overpower Blanche which comes as a shock to the audience while increasing the tension between the two sisters.

The exclamatory sentence, ‘He acts like an animal, has an animal’s habits!’  And Blanche’s reference to Stanley as a ‘sub-human’ immediately darken and lower the mood of the atmosphere which creates tension. This is because in the previous scene Stanley is brutal and physically violent towards Stella so the audience begin to dislike the characters attitude and behaviour. However, due to Blanche’s cruel and merciless opinion on Stanley, in which she considers him to be an ape with a lack of humanity, we feel sympathy for him. This shocks the audience as Blanche degrades the character Stanley by referring to him as a ‘brute(s)!’ and creates drama as she is unaware of his presence behind the door.

‘Stanley hesitates, licking his lips. Then suddenly he turns stealthily about and withdraws through the front door…When the train has passed he calls through the closed front door.’

This line is key as it creates a huge amount of tension and drama as the audience know Stanley is angry and feeling insulted from Blanche’s view of his character. The adverbs ‘stealthily’ and ‘suddenly’ hold tension as Stanley is acting sly by pretending to not to have heard their conversation. However, ‘…hesitates, licking his lips.’ Acts as a turning point for Stanley, as he now understands Blanche’s true thoughts of him and isn’t please. The phrase ‘licking his lips’ is considered to be ominous and menacing as he is determined to take revenge and destroy Blanche’s power which empathises the drama and tension in this scene. The character Stanley is no longer prepared to accommodate and act civil with Blanche due to her insults.

Overview of Scene Three from A Streetcar Named Desire

Surrealism and Violence in Scene Three

• 'Coloured shirts...they are men at the peak of their physical manhood.' - Clashing and alpha male struggle
• 'Lights spilled' - Uncontrolled setting
• 'Whiskey bottles' shows that alcohol is prominent from the start of the play
• Stanley's language is aggressive and he's ordering the other men around 'Ante up!'
• Stanley's actions are threatening 'He lurches up and tosses watermelon ring to the floor

The game Poker is a game of deception and bluffing with high stakes

• The whole play is like a game of Poker.
• 'A chair scrapes' - Build up of frustration
• Stanley and Blanche linked through her undressing in the light for-shadows the rape scene.
• 'I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action' - Excess on her act of purity, over exaggerating her act.

Overview of Scene Two of A Streetcar Named Desire

Stanley starts showing violence and his dominant, harsh side to his personality through the use of quotes:

• 'Since when did you give me orders?'
• 'Jerks out an armful of dresses.'
• [Becoming somewhat sheepish]...especially now that she's going to have a baby
• He rips of the ribbons...

John Lahr, Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage Of The Flesh

Edwina implies she gained various amounts of attention from a range of different males as 'she launches into a story about her legendary gentlemen callers.' Similarly Blanche expresses within scene two she reveals she received a large amount of love letters from a boy which meant a huge deal to her. She considers the letters to be precious and valuable to her, this is shown from the line 'These are love letters, yellowing with antiquity, all from one boy.'

The relation of money is portrayed within scene two as Stanley fights with Blanche over the valuables Blanche holds in her trunk. The money is important to Stanley as he stands by the Napoleon code.

• There is a sense of acting within scene two from both Stanley and Blanche      

Tragedy

A Streetcar Named Desire is considered to be a tragedy that doesn't follow the original idea. The original term of tragedy is when a character from a high social position e.g. a king falls due to their fatal flaw. The end results should end in death, which creates a catharsis affect on the audience. In Streetcar, Blanche is considered the powered position who falls due to the rape and loss of her sister and mine. Although she isn't dead, her personality and freedom is taken away and she's trapped in the past.

Overview of Scene One from A Streecar named Desire

Notes from John Lahr

• All of us are actors to the degree that we must be to survive.

- 'Temporary magic just in order to pay for one night's shelter!' (Blanche is unable to find any good in the world, so she'll do anything to survive in it. Shell put on an act to protect herself, this act is when she pretends to be pure and modest so men will find her more attractive.)

• Confrontation from Stanley and Stella has caused her to open up about surviving.
• Blanches speeches are ordered, detailed, detached and over exaggerated which shows they are planned and rehearsed.

The inspiration of Blanche was made from his mother as both have similar aspects to their personality.


Notes from John Mcrae

• Long stage directions which give clues to the play's themes.
• The play is set within the summer period (May-September) This is a key aspect of the play as the intense heat affects the characters relationships, this is why most scenes are set in the evening as its cooler and darker.
• The play has a mixed community in which any gender and ethnicity is welcome. It is a Multi-cultural, Multi-coloured and Multi-vocal society.
• The play links and communicates to the audiences sense. The scene with the man who's selling 'red hots.'
• Integration of society in New Orleans is advanced compared to other American states.
• The play has an emotional under current e.g. the background music of the 'Blue Piano.'
• The special effects (the background music/sounds which are played within Blanche's head, etc...) create a scene before any character enters or speaks.
• Characters are defined by money, the odds and relationships.

Money
Stanley: A man who follows the Neapolitan code and believes that what his wife owns, he owns and the other way round. This is highlighted in scene 2 when he thinks Blanche has 'swindled' Stella. 'And I don't like to be swindled.' illuminates Stanley's anger to losing money and the importance of it to him.
Stella: A wife and soon to be mother who is trapped by the lack of money. Although she believes she loves Stanley, it is mainly sexual desire which holds their relationship together which is why she won't leave him. However she can not provide for herself and her baby which is why she must stay in Elysian Fields. Stanley is considered in charge and gives Stella money when she asks for it or to make up for a bad act e.g. when he hit her.
Blanche: A woman who has a lack of money and will pretend she can survive with imagination and the power of sexual attention. She believes she can gain money from a married man named 'Shep Huntleigh.' Blanche is trapped in poverty and can not provide for herself. 

• 'Funerals are pretty' Blanche will try to find the beauty in all aspects of life so she can pretend she fits into a modern society.
• Stanley is a strong character who thrives on his masculinity. 'Stanley carries his bowling jacket and a red-stained package from a butchers'
• Williams sexuality is pressed within the book, there's a theory that he found Stanley attractive which is why Blanche is attractive and repelled by him.
• KEY QUOTE FOR STANLEY: 'Since earliest manhood the centre of his life has been pleasure from women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.'-Highlights his Alpha male personality
• KEY QUOTE FOR STANLEY: 'His love for good drink and food and games, his car, his radio, everything that is his, that bears his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer. - American society that now believes in capitalism, materialism, integration. A representation that Blanche cannot fit into the new world.