A Streetcar Named Desire

Choose a play in which there is a scene which provides a clear turning point in the drama.

Explain why it is a turning point and go on to discuss the importance of the scene to your understanding of the play as a whole.

You need to split the question up by identifying

the important partsChoose a play in which there is a scene which provides a clear turning point in the drama.

Explain why it is a turning point and go on to discuss the importance of the scene to your understanding of the play as

a whole.

Now you need to plan a basic structure by breaking the question

up• INTRODUCTION

• WHAT IS THE TURNING POINT AND WHY

• IMPORTANCE OF SCENE TO YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLAY AS A WHOLE

• CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION»Name of text»Name of author»Reference to question»Outline what you will discuss in

essay

What is the turning point and why?

• Key Incidents – Stanley overhears Blanche talking about him to Stella, he realises how much she hates him. He is out for revenge

• Stage Craft – At the end of the scene the light fades and the music begins – ominous

• Characterisation – Stanley reveals his nasty, sneaky side when he hugs Stella throws an intimidating grin at Blanche

Importance of scene to your understanding of the play as a

whole• Foreshadowing – Stella chooses

Stanley which foreshadows the outcome of the play

• Theme – Fantasy v. reality – we see that this is the ‘beginning’ of Blanche’s downfall – Stanley will force her into madness

• Symbolism

Conclusion

• Sum up what has been discussed in the main body of the essay

• Refer to/answer the question

Introduction• Name of text (A Streetcar

Named Desire)

• Name of author (Tennessee Williams)

• Refer to the question (Choose a play in which there is a scene which provides a clear turning point in the drama. Explain why it is a turning point and go on to discuss the importance of the scene to your understanding of the play as a whole. Mention that the turning point is scene 4)

Remember!

You don’t have much time so don’t waste it writing a long and unnecessary summary of the play.

WHAT IS THE TURNING POINT AND WHY

• Turning point is scene 4 – make this clear at the beginning

Technique – Key Incidents

Statement – The technique of key incidents is used to show the reader that scene 4 is the turning point in the play. Stanley overhears Blanche slandering him to Stella. She reveals she is disgusted by him and wants Stella to leave him, she refers to him as an animal, a beast.

Quotation – “There is something downright – bestial – about him!”

Analysis – Blanche is trying to convince Stella that Stanley is a waste of time and space, that she can do better. She reveals that she is disgusted and repulsed by Stanley. Stanley overhears this and realises that Blanche hates him and wants Stella to leave him. This key incident marks the turning point as it starts a war between Stanley and Blanche, he knows she is out to get him and he wants to get her first.

Statement – The technique of characterisation shows Stanley is sneaky and conniving . His nasty side is shown in scene 4 and we know he is going to get revenge on Blanche.

Quotation – “Over her head he grins through the curtain at BLANCHE”

Analysis – We see Stanley here is intimidating Blanche, we already know he has a violent streak and a wild temper but we see now that he is capable of being sly and evil. He grins at Blanche without Stella seeing, indicating to Blanche that he has heard what she said about him and that he is not about to let her get away with it.

Technique - Characterisation

Statement – The use of stage craft in scene 4 shows us that it is the turning point as at the end of the scene the lights fades and the music starts

Quotation – “As the light fades away, with a lingering brightness on their embrace, the music of the “Blue Piano” and trumpet and drums are heard”

Analysis - The stage craft at the end of scene 4 indicates a turning point in the play as the fading light suggests the demise of Blanche at the hands of Stanley, it also suggests the end for Blanche. Furthermore, the music of the blue piano representsa number of ideas: Stanley’s vitality and strength; he is going to be a prominent figure as the play progresses. The music also represents the mood for Blanche, the blues, this is important in indicating what this turning point means for Blanche.

Technique – Stage Craft

IMPORTANCE OF SCENE TO YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLAY AS A

WHOLE

Scene 4 adds to our understanding of the play as a whole as it foreshadows the ending and enforces theme.

Statement – Our understanding of the play as a whole is developed by the turning point of scene 4 as foreshadowing is used to indicate the outcome of the play.

Quotation -