Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire- and Ibsen's "A Doll's House-:.
Dramatic Conflict in the Male/Female Relationship.
In any narrative, the development of the plot and the creation of compelling characters depends on a single literary element: the presence of conflict. While colorful prose and realistic dialogue may give a play or novel some artistic merit, it is the conflict that gives the fiction its dramatic energy; it is the conflict that draws the audience in, holds their interest, and brings them to care about the characters and the ultimate resolution of the story. Unsurprisingly, perhaps due to the complex interplay of sexual tension and gender miscommunication, the conflict between men and women is frequently at the center of successful dramas; audiences can relate to such conflicts, and find them uniquely believable. It is the masterful portrayal of this age-old conflict between the sexes that serves as the dramatic centerpiece in both Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire- and Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House."" .
In the Williams' dramatic masterpiece of modern theater, the male/female relationships form the basis for the vast majority of the dramatic conflict; these conflicting interactions are found between several different characters, with each conflict contributing to the overall development of the plot. The interplay between Stanley and Stella, between Stanley and Blanche, and between Mitch and Blanche provide the dramatic conflict for the story, driving the plot and structuring the development of the characters.
The conflict in all of these relationships is driven by fundamental elements of the male/female dichotomy: sexual attraction, striving for independence, a desire to dominate and control, and a mutual misunderstanding of the opposite gender. The conflict between Stella and Stanley is particularly compelling, as it serves as the backdrop to the entire play; the complexity of the conflict is highlighted by the mutual sexual attraction between the characters.
