The use of ´prestige language in Tennessee Williams’s A streetcar named Desire

Autores

  • Stuart Noel Georgia State University

Palavras-chave:

Literatura do Sul estadunidense, Teatro e dramaturgia estadunidense, Sintaxe da língua inglesa, American (Southern) Literature, American Drama and Theatre, English Syntax

Resumo

O artigo discute a utilização da linguagem de prestígio na peça A streetcar named Desire, de Williams. O autor explora a personagem Blanche DuBois, que utiliza uma linguagem pretensiosa e melodramática para projetar uma imagem de classe alta e ocultar sua verdadeira natureza. Blanche personifica a decadência pessoal e artística que permeia a obra de Williams. A linguagem de prestígio é caracterizada por ser formal e associada a contextos sociais de boa reputação. Blanche utiliza essa linguagem para criar uma imagem refinada e superior, contrastando com sua deterioração emocional e mental. O artigo também discute a relação entre Blanche e a realidade, sua busca por ilusões e sua luta para manter uma imagem que não condiz com sua verdadeira natureza. Através da análise da personagem e das técnicas narrativas de Williams, o artigo revela o tema recorrente de arte e decadência presente em sua obra.

Abstract

The article discusses the utilization of prestige language in Tennessee Williams’s A streetcar named Desire. It explores the character Blanche DuBois, who employs a pretentious and melodramatic language to project an image of high social status and conceal her true nature. Blanche embodies personal and artistic decay that pervades Williams’ work. Prestige language is characterized as formal and associated with prestigious social contexts. Blanche employs this language to create a refined and superior image, contrasting with her emotional and mental deterioration. The article also delves into the relationship between Blanche and reality, her pursuit of illusions, and her struggle to maintain an image that doesn’t align with her true nature. Through the analysis of the character and Williams’s narrative techniques, the article reveals the recurring theme of art and decay in his work.

Biografia do Autor

Stuart Noel, Georgia State University

Dr. Stuart Noel is Professor of English and Film at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. He has lectured widely both in the United States and abroad as a scholar of Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. Dr. Noel founded and chairs the Truman Capote Literary Society. He is the recipient of the 2018 Scholar’s Award at the Tennessee Williams Tribute in Columbus, Mississippi, the birthplace of Tennessee Williams.

Referências

ABBOTT, Anthony S. The vital lie - Reality and illusion in modern drama. Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press, 1989.

ADLER, Thomas P. Mirror on the stage. West Lafayette: Purdue University Press, 1987.

BIGSBY, Christopher W. E. A critical introduction to twentieth-century American drama. New York: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 1984.

CLURMAN, Harold. The divine pastime: theatre essays. New York: MacMillan, 1974.

COHN, Ruby. Dialogue in American drama. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1971.

FINEGAN, Edward. On the linguistic forms of prestige—Snobs and slobs using English. In: BOARDMAN, Philip C. (Ed.). The legacy of language—A tribute to Charlton Laird. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1987.

GORDON, Elizabeth. Sex, speech, and stereotypes: why women use prestige speech forms more than men. Language in Society, v. 26, n. 1, p. 47-63, 1997.

HAFLEY, James. Abstraction and order in the language of Tennessee Williams. In: THARPE, Jac (Ed.). Tennessee Williams: a tribute. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1977.

PHILLIPS, Susan U.; STEELE, Susan Steele; TANZ, Christine (Ed.). Language, gender, and sex in comparative perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987.

RYAN, Ellen Bouchard. Why do low-prestige language varieties persist? In: GILES, Howard; ST. CLAIR, ROBERT N. (Ed.). Language and Social Psychology. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1979.

SPOTO, Donald. The kindness of strangers - The life of Tennessee Williams. Boston: Little, Brown & Company Limited. 1985.

VOGEL, Dan. The three masks of American tragedy. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Press, 1974.

WILHELMI, Nancy O. The language of power and powerlessness—Verbal combat in the plays of Tennessee Williams. In: GOLDIN, Cynthia (Ed.). The text & beyond: essays in literary linguistics. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama, 1994.

WILLIAMS, Tennessee. A streetcar named Desire. The Theatre of Tennessee Williams. v. 1. New York: New Directions, 1971.

WOOLFRAM, Walt; SCHILLING-ESTES, Natalie. American English. Madden: Blackwell Publishers, 1998.

Works consulted

BAUGH, Albert C.; CABLE, Thomas. A history of the English language. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2002.

BERGER, Charles R.; BURGOON (Ed.). Communication and social influence processes. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 1995.

SVALASTOGA, Kaare. Prestige, class and mobility. New York: Arno Press, 1979.

Downloads

Publicado

2023-12-28

Edição

Seção

Artigos