Sample Task IV- A Streetcar Named Desire

(Introduction) "The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those who feel."  This is true since those who are sensitive and emotional personally experience the pain of the world, while those who are cold and unfeeling are simply amused by the pain of others. This idea is revealed in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and The Master Builder by Henrik Ibsen.

(Meaning of First Work) In A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams shows two characters who have very different experiences of the world.  For Stanley Kowalski, the world is a comedy. He constantly causes pain to others, especially Blanche, and then laughs at her pain.  For example, he hands Blanche a ticket to Laurel as a birthday present, kicking her out of the house.  To Stanley this very cruel and insensitive gesture is amusing, but to Blanche it is a hurtful token of rejection.  Blanche is a character who experiences the tragedy of the world, as events affect her deeply.  For instance, she can not understand how her sister, Stella, can put up with the abuse that Stanley inflicts upon her.  Blanche is very concerned about her sister and becomes extremely dismayed when Stanley hits her.  This shows the sensitivity of Blanche's character that leads to her tragedy.

(Literary Elements) Tennessee Williams uses several literary elements to reveal how characters respond differently to the world.  The characterization of Blanche and Stanley is essential, as Stanley is depicted as an insensitive, brutal creature who has no regard for others' emotions.  Therefore, he feels no regret as he destroys the relationship between Blanche and Mitch.  This is merely a game, a past time like bowling or poker. Blanche, on the other hand, is characterized as a fragile, delicate woman who is extremely sensitive and gentle.  She experiences several flashbacks throughout the play of her husband's suicide, revealing her guilt, an emotion that haunts her life.  Blanche's sensitivity eventually leads to her final tragedy, as one life event after another (the deaths of family members, the loss of Belle Reve, the rejection of Mitch, and the rape by Stanley) causes her to lose her sanity.

(Meaning of Second Work) The Master Builder by Henrik Ibsen also shows two characters who perceive the world in different ways.  For Hilda, the world is a comedy that is to be played out according to her will.  She is a selfish and fanciful young girl who attempts to manipulate Solness into building her a castle.  Hilda scorns the old-fashioned concept of "duty" and thinks of life, instead, as a romantic adventure. Solness, on the other hand, is a very sensitive person who relies heavily on his emotions.  For instance, he is unable to overcome the fear that the upcoming generation will replace him.  It is this inherent sensitivity that will ultimately lead to Solness' tragedy.

(Literary Elements) Henrik Ibsen uses several literary elements to convey the idea that "life is a comedy for those that think, a tragedy for those who feel".  For instance, Solness is characterized as an emotional and sensitive man who possesses the feelings of fear and guilt.  Solness is so full of guilt because he believed that he willed the fire that killed his twin sons to occur.  This guilt prevents him from discussing the matter openly with his wife, leading to their ultimate misunderstanding and the demise of their marriage. Hilda's contrasting attitude toward life-- to live without a conscience-- allows her to gain control of Solness, playing on his weaknesses. The irony of this situation is that the "great master builder" is actually a sensitive man who experiences his demise at the hands of a young girl.  The tragedy that occurs in the final scene when Solness falls from the tower is seen as a comedy for Hilda, who continues to cheer for her own success.

(Conclusion) These two works, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Master Builder, illustrate how life can be looked upon differently by characters who possess a deep and sensitive heart and those who lack human feelings. As revealed in the two plays, those who feel things deeply tend to be affected by pain and tragedy in their lives, while those who do not possess sympathetic emotions tend to be amused by the pain of others, often contributing to the tragedy experienced by those who feel.