Melodrama
Key aspects of a melodrama:
Sensationalised plot with dramatic and theatrical episodes (eg. ghosts, murders and
emotional conflict).
Often contains exaggerated characters (villains), at the expense of detailed and nuanced
characterisation.
Episode Key quotes Analysis
Scene 3, pg “I’ll keep on ringin’ until I talk ● Williams uses expressionist theatre by setting Stanley’s
37/38. When with my baby!” yelling against the backdrop of “slow and blue” music,
Stanley tries to “[with heaven-splitting which juxtaposes his own passion.
win Stella back violence]: STELLL-AHHHHH” ● Discord makes the episode more melodramatic because
after the Poker his violence seems more intense and exaggerated when
night compared to the relatively calm “blue” music.
Blanche’s “one leaky roof to another ● Contains melodramatic elements to build tension by
hysteria in leaky roof” alluding to the negative (and unavoidable) consequences
scene 5 (pg 53) “And I - I’m fading now!” of Blanche ageing and losing her beauty.
● Repetition of “leaky roof” emphasises her desperation
and how dire her situation is - builds stereotype of
helpless, ruined woman.
● Expressionism used in the fact this soliloquy is arguably
addressed to the audience and provides them with a
greater understanding of Blanche’s desperation.
● AO3: Post war society, women’s most valuable attributes
included their attractiveness to men, and Blanche would
have been rendered powerless if she couldn’t rely on the
protection of men.
Blanche’s “You make my mouth water” ● Repetition of “young” suggests she’s aware what she’s
conversation “Young, young, young, young - doing is wrong, reinforces the melodrama because it
with the paper man!” casts her in the role of the immoral villain.
boy (pg. 57) “be good and keep my hands ● Also accelerates the plot and builds dramatic tension with
off children” the “blue piano” (plastic theatre)
The description “A few moments later - a shot!” ● Contains violence and death, as well as intense
of Allan’s “Allan! Allan! The Grey boy!” dramatism, therefore fulfils melodramatic conventions
suicide, scene 6 ● Blanche takes on the role of a narrator, which heightens
(pg. 67) the tension
Stanley’s rage “[He hurls a plate to the floor.] ● Stanley becomes the stereotypical villain in this scene,
in scene 8 That’s how I’ll clear the table!” and his violence is dramatised and sensationalised with
the rhetorical question “You want me to clear your
places?”
● Exaggerated cruelty
Stanley’s rape “So I could twist the broken ● Emotional conflict comes to a head with a physically
of Blanche, end in your face!” violent altercation
scene 10 “Tiger - tiger!” ● Animalisation emphasises Stanley’s evil because he
takes joy in this
Key aspects of a melodrama:
Sensationalised plot with dramatic and theatrical episodes (eg. ghosts, murders and
emotional conflict).
Often contains exaggerated characters (villains), at the expense of detailed and nuanced
characterisation.
Episode Key quotes Analysis
Scene 3, pg “I’ll keep on ringin’ until I talk ● Williams uses expressionist theatre by setting Stanley’s
37/38. When with my baby!” yelling against the backdrop of “slow and blue” music,
Stanley tries to “[with heaven-splitting which juxtaposes his own passion.
win Stella back violence]: STELLL-AHHHHH” ● Discord makes the episode more melodramatic because
after the Poker his violence seems more intense and exaggerated when
night compared to the relatively calm “blue” music.
Blanche’s “one leaky roof to another ● Contains melodramatic elements to build tension by
hysteria in leaky roof” alluding to the negative (and unavoidable) consequences
scene 5 (pg 53) “And I - I’m fading now!” of Blanche ageing and losing her beauty.
● Repetition of “leaky roof” emphasises her desperation
and how dire her situation is - builds stereotype of
helpless, ruined woman.
● Expressionism used in the fact this soliloquy is arguably
addressed to the audience and provides them with a
greater understanding of Blanche’s desperation.
● AO3: Post war society, women’s most valuable attributes
included their attractiveness to men, and Blanche would
have been rendered powerless if she couldn’t rely on the
protection of men.
Blanche’s “You make my mouth water” ● Repetition of “young” suggests she’s aware what she’s
conversation “Young, young, young, young - doing is wrong, reinforces the melodrama because it
with the paper man!” casts her in the role of the immoral villain.
boy (pg. 57) “be good and keep my hands ● Also accelerates the plot and builds dramatic tension with
off children” the “blue piano” (plastic theatre)
The description “A few moments later - a shot!” ● Contains violence and death, as well as intense
of Allan’s “Allan! Allan! The Grey boy!” dramatism, therefore fulfils melodramatic conventions
suicide, scene 6 ● Blanche takes on the role of a narrator, which heightens
(pg. 67) the tension
Stanley’s rage “[He hurls a plate to the floor.] ● Stanley becomes the stereotypical villain in this scene,
in scene 8 That’s how I’ll clear the table!” and his violence is dramatised and sensationalised with
the rhetorical question “You want me to clear your
places?”
● Exaggerated cruelty
Stanley’s rape “So I could twist the broken ● Emotional conflict comes to a head with a physically
of Blanche, end in your face!” violent altercation
scene 10 “Tiger - tiger!” ● Animalisation emphasises Stanley’s evil because he
takes joy in this
