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.