symbolism: streetcar named desire Flashcards
what does light symbolise in the play?
light symbolises the reality of blanches past, her reaction to light can also be regarded as an attempt to hide her true nature as well as her vanishing beauty and youth
what does bathing symbolise in the play?
bathing represents blanches effort to cleanse herself of her odious history. her sexual experiences have made her a hysterical woman, but these baths, as she says, calm her by helping her to forget her illicit past
what does alcohol symbolise in the play?
A state of drunkenness for blanche enables her to take a flight of imagination, such as concocting a getaway with shep Huntleigh. And for both Stanley and blanche drinking leads to destructive behaviour: Stanley commits domestic violence and SA’s blanche, and blanche when drunk deludes herself
what does the polka theme symbolise in the play?
this is the tune blanche and her husband were dancing to when she last him alive, the polka music plays when blanche feels remorse for Allens death. it always drives blanche to distraction. The music only finishes after blanche hears the gunshot in her head. the polka and the moment it evokes represents blanches loss of innocence; it is clear that the suicide of her young husband triggered her mental decline. Since the suicide blanche hears the music whenever she panics and loses her grip on reality
what do colours symbolise for blanche in the play?
- first use of symbolism is in blanches name. Blanche, meaning white, is intentionally ironic since white connotative of purity, innocence and virtue
- this is a complete contrast to her actual behaviour and actions since blanche is a seductive and promiscuous woman who lies in order to maintain her image
- she changes her clothes from soft colours to strong bold ones for the first time in scene nine. the ‘scarlet’ of her satin robe fits her true nature as a seductress; this is the first time her outer appearance matches her intentions
what do colours symbolise for Stanley?
- stanleys colours are the direct opposite of blanches. he dresses in solid materials, such as cotton, and his clothes are mainly blue
- the colour blue is considered to be a symbol of truth, which in this case matches Stanleys behaviour: he is an honest and forward person with no sympathy for lies and superficiality
- blue also represents strength, masculinity, and authority. the meeting of Mitch in blue, and blanche in red, symbolises the confrontation of femininity and masculinity
what does the blue piano symbolise in the play?
the blue piano symbolises depression, loneliness, and blanches longing for love
- describes blanches emotions and represents her need for companionship and love, but also her hope as in the scene with the paper boy shows and when she is trying to get on the phone with she huntleigh in scene ten, it grows louder
what does the moth symbolise for blanche?
- both butterflies and moths start life as ugly caterpillars and only later transform into something more beautiful
- the cocoon symbol therefore represents blanches attempts to recreate herself and to spring forth a new beautiful person from her cocoon of lies
- the Smith lives during the night, which makes it a creature of darkness
- this can be adapted to blanche as it seems, though contrasting with her name, it is her fate to live in darkness, which symbolises ignorance
- blanche does not find a way out of the darkness and is taken to a mental hospital
what does belle Reve symbolise in the play?
- belle reve symbolises the idea of the ‘old south’ the one that blanche and stella both grew up in
- the name belle reve in French means ‘beautiful dream’ the lose of belle Reve and it now being only remembered as a ‘dream’ signifies the fall of the old south and Elysian Fields is a symbol of the rise of the new south, post war
- contextually belle reve would have been a plantation, plantations are a reminder of a racist and repressive America
what does Elysian Fields symbolise in the play
- Elysian Fields symbolises a new, more diverse south, with people of all colours and shades calling it their home
- we are introduced to just diverse this area is from the beginning of the play with characters such as ‘negro woman’ and Mexican music being heard through ought the play
- this is the section of New Orleans Stella and Stanley live in, also reference to its meaning of paradise in greek mythology
- in streetcar, Stella and Stanley have created their own paradise in the sensual and blissful existence in which they live
what do streetcars symbolise in the play
- the plays title refers not only to a real streetcar line in New Orleans but also symbolically to the power of desire as the driving force behind the characters actions
- blanches journey on desire through cemeteries to Elysian Fields is both literal and allegorical. desire is a controlling force: when it takes over, characters must submit to its power, and they are carried along to the end of the line
what does the paper lantern symbolise
- the paper lantern over the light bulb represents blanches attempt to mask both her sordid past and her present appearance
- the lantern diffuses the stark light, but its only a temporary solution that can be ripped off at any moment
- after Stanley has told Mitch about blanches past, Mitch angrily tears the lantern off so he can see blanches face, and she cries, ‘I don’t want realism, I want magic!’
- at the end of the play, Stanley takes off the paper lantern and presents it to blanche
what does poker symbolise in the play?
- the poker game is a strong sexual symbol of phallic power; in the lower class of working people portrayed in the play, it is a man’s world
- the men intentionally exclude the women; they are forced to go out on game night and even when they return are separated into a neighbouring room, literally segregating the sexes
- there is a special meaning: during the first poker game Stanley is losing and as a result is at his worst, behaving violently.
- the difference in the two poker games played indicates that blanche presented a threat to his marriage. under her influence, Stella argues with Stanley during the first game and his authority is questioned so he responds by striking her. by the second game, Stanley is winning and in control of both poker and of blanche since he has had his revenge on her. he is now the triumphant victor In the game of life.
Elysian Fields p2:
through the symbolism of ef, Williams images the plays sinister relation between blanches fantasy utopia and the harsh realities of the real world
- intimate link between blanches desires and final destruction of her fantasy
what does the rape scene symbolise In the play?
- the death of blanches pysche
- it could also be seen as the new south wining over the old south
- it also breaks the tension that had been brewing between blanche and Stanley throughout the play
