Form
A Performance Text: Something intended specifically for performance, which creates a
shared experience by its public nature. Characters will have unique idiosyncrasies which is
specific to an actor.
Melodrama: A work characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of
plot and physical action over characterization.
Contentions of a Melodrama
The plot is typically sentimental and designed to strongly appeal to the emotions.
Emotions are more important than characterisation, so some characters conform
heavily to stereotypes.
The dialogue is often bombastic and excessively sentimental.
Often set in the private sphere with domestic concerns, like morality, family, love,
and marriage
The domestic setting is often threatened by external sources such as the archetypal
temptress
Music is used heavily to offer cues/complement the emotions of the moment
Naturalism: A heightened form of realism. ‘A streetcar’ and Stanley represent this side of
the dichotomy.
Contentions of Naturalism
Focuses on larger aspects of the human condition, such as social mobility.
Explores the darker sides of humanity.
Portrays how environment, heredity and social conditions control human beings and
influence behaviour and circumstances.
The characters often fail to learn anything by the end of the play. There is an irony, as
the character often searches for answers.
Expressionist Theatre: A more abstract way of writing a play. It doesn’t follow a
metronomic time frame and was popularised after Naturalism dominated the 20th century. ‘Of
Desire’ and Blanche represent this.
Tragedy:
Conventions of a Tragedy
Concerned with the Higher Class – The DuBois’ were once.
The Main Plotline Focuses on an Individual Rise and Fall – Blanche’s.
Hamartia/Error in Judgement – Desire/a want for male attention.
Move from Order to Disorder – The domestic sphere gets more and more tense.
Events Seem to be Directed by Fate – Motif of stars, and references to Blanche
being a Virgo.
Driven to Madness – Blanche.
Philosophical Seriousness – Blanche seems to recognise that aging isn’t a bad thing
before the rape scene.
A Performance Text: Something intended specifically for performance, which creates a
shared experience by its public nature. Characters will have unique idiosyncrasies which is
specific to an actor.
Melodrama: A work characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of
plot and physical action over characterization.
Contentions of a Melodrama
The plot is typically sentimental and designed to strongly appeal to the emotions.
Emotions are more important than characterisation, so some characters conform
heavily to stereotypes.
The dialogue is often bombastic and excessively sentimental.
Often set in the private sphere with domestic concerns, like morality, family, love,
and marriage
The domestic setting is often threatened by external sources such as the archetypal
temptress
Music is used heavily to offer cues/complement the emotions of the moment
Naturalism: A heightened form of realism. ‘A streetcar’ and Stanley represent this side of
the dichotomy.
Contentions of Naturalism
Focuses on larger aspects of the human condition, such as social mobility.
Explores the darker sides of humanity.
Portrays how environment, heredity and social conditions control human beings and
influence behaviour and circumstances.
The characters often fail to learn anything by the end of the play. There is an irony, as
the character often searches for answers.
Expressionist Theatre: A more abstract way of writing a play. It doesn’t follow a
metronomic time frame and was popularised after Naturalism dominated the 20th century. ‘Of
Desire’ and Blanche represent this.
Tragedy:
Conventions of a Tragedy
Concerned with the Higher Class – The DuBois’ were once.
The Main Plotline Focuses on an Individual Rise and Fall – Blanche’s.
Hamartia/Error in Judgement – Desire/a want for male attention.
Move from Order to Disorder – The domestic sphere gets more and more tense.
Events Seem to be Directed by Fate – Motif of stars, and references to Blanche
being a Virgo.
Driven to Madness – Blanche.
Philosophical Seriousness – Blanche seems to recognise that aging isn’t a bad thing
before the rape scene.
