The three prominent colours in this scene, ‘blue’, ‘white’ and ‘red’, are the colours of the American flag. It could be argued that Williams intentionally referred to these colours in the play in order to outline the state America was in at the time. At the time, the North, which represents Stanley’s character, was overpowering the South, which represents Blanches character. Furthermore, the bold primary colours and the light pastel colours symbolise Stanley's dominance over Blanche, and how he has the ability to overpower her.
However it could be said from a Marxist point of view that Stanley represents the Proletariat, and the power struggle between Blanche and Stanley is a symbol of class struggles within society, reflecting a capitalist state where the upper middle class are seen to be superior than the working class.
Another major symbol in the play is the recurring reference to light. Light in the play can be seen as symbolising truth, and the fact that Blanche does almost anything to avoid strong light shows that she is hiding something.
“…Put it over the light bulb! Will you please?… I can’t stand a naked light bulb”
Covering up the light bulb is Blanches way of concealing the truth, and the paper lantern used to cover it represents Blanches need for concealment and fantasy. The paper lantern is also significant in scene nine when Mitch discovers the truth about Blanches past.
“He tears the paper lantern off the light bulb. She utters a frightened gasp.”
Mitch, without remorse, rips off the paper lantern to take a good look at Blanches face. By uncovering the light bulb, Mitch brings to light the true facts of Blanche’s past.
In scene one, Blanche is compared to a moth.
“Her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light…. There is something about her uncertain manner… that suggests a moth.”
Moths are generally attracted to light and when they get too close they die. This could reflect Blanche trying to avoid the light, and the truth, and if she is exposed to light her agenda will also be exposed. Alternatively, the comparison with a moth could symbolise Blanche aging and slowly rotting away.
Music is an important symbol throughout the play, as it mainly reflects on Blanches emotions. Williams uses the ‘blue piano’ to reflect on the lives of those in New Orleans. The blue piano is described to play lively, jaunty music. Blanches fragility and the lively music of the blue piano is contrapuntal as the music doesn’t match the description of Blanche. This again gives us the impression that she wont fit in to the atmosphere of New Orleans.
Another reference to music is the Varsouviana Polka tune. This music represents death in the play, as it was the music Blanche was dancing to with her husband before he killed himself. Therefore every time Blanche feels as if she is losing control of reality, she hears the Varsouviana playing in her mind. An example of this is just after Mitch has exposed her as a liar, and the Mexican woman enters selling funeral flowers.
“You lied to me Blanche… [A Mexican woman comes around the corner carrying bunches of gaudy tin flowers that Mexicans display at funerals… the polka tune fades in]”
This is significant as it reflects on Blanches state of mind. She is losing her grip on reality as all her secrets and lies are being exposed.
One of the most obvious symbols in the play is its title and its actual reference to the streetcars that bring Blanche to Elysian Fields. As the play unfolds, it is evident that the streetcars have a greater significance. It could be said that not only is desire the name of the streetcar that brought Blanche to Elysian fields, but it was also her own personal desires that landed her in the situation that she is in, and which will lead her to her demise.
The streetcar ‘cemeteries’ is also significant as it once again emphasises death, and the fear Blanche has of death.
The idea that Williams wants to portray in the play is that death and desire are binary opposites. This is reflected through what Blanch says to Mitch in scene nine.
“Death-I used to sit here and she used to sit over there and death was as close as you are… The opposite is desire.”
This shows that in the mind of the characters, if one of these cannot be obtained, the inevitable alternative is the other.
Bathing is a recurring motif in the play. Williams emphasises in several scenes how Blanche spends hours bathing. This is reinforced in scene seven when Stanley enters asking for Blanche.
Stanley: She here?
Stella: In the bathroom.
Stanley: How long she been in there?
Stella: All afternoon.
This could show how Blanche feels she needs to constantly bathe in order to cleanse herself from her past sins. It could also be seen as her way of dealing with the guilt of her dead husband, and the only way to get over it is to wash it all away.
The rape in scene ten is a major turning point in Blanches life. Again, Williams creates a sense of building tension through sound and music.
“The hot trumpet and drums from the Four Deuces sound loudly.”
The trumpet and drums in this scene symbolise passion and that something sexual is definitely occurring. However it gives the readers the impression that it is a twisted kind of passion.
On the other hand, it could be said that the trumpet and drums symbolise Stanley's dominance.
“ We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning.”
This shows how in order to mark his territory he feels he must do something to Blanche in order to make her lose all sense of reality. However more importantly, in order for her to lose the feud between them, and to do this he rapes her. Williams also emphasises on his desperate need for power over everyone, especially Blanche.
Generally the viewpoint of this play would be of a man who is aggressive towards his wife. However from a feminist viewpoint, it would be seen as women attempting to survive in a world dominated by alpha-males such as Stanley.
The rape scene could be seen as the beginning of Blanches end. However there are hints before then that show a change in Blanches personality. For example in scene ten,
“…Crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers.”
This occurs just after Mitch exposes Blanche. The scuffed shoes could symbolise Blanches elegance being tarnished as her secrets and lies have been exposed.
I think that symbolism is one of the most important dramatic techniques used in the play, as it allows the readers to explore different interpretations of each characters actions. It also allows the readers to come to their own conclusion about what the play means.
Williams once said, “Art is made out of symbols the way the body is made out of vital tissue”. What Williams is trying to portray is that in order for a play to be appreciated the way it should, symbolism is necessary.
Bibliography
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
(Penguin Plays)
1,492 words
