Tennessee Williams uses a variety of imagery and symbolism’s in the play. How do these aspects contribute to the atmosphere of the play?
The imagery and symbolism in the play are used by Williams to appeal to the senses and emotions of the audience and to help to create an atmosphere.
Williams used imagery in the stage directions to attract the audience (or readers) attention. He makes use of the evocative power of figurative language when he is trying to convey in words the quality of a particular sound. “ The infatuated fluency of brown fingers” (scene 1) this conveys the black pianist’s skilful playing expressing the spirit of New Orleans. It portrays an atmosphere of the run-down slum areas of the Deep South. This imagery of the “blue piano” is introduced at the very start, and continues throughout the play, each time symbolising Stanley and his almost sinister character, and emphasising its importance.
The constancy of this symbolism creates a threatening and foreboding impression, as whenever the “ blue piano” is played some significant event happens, or a violent act from Stanley which will be essential for the development of the plot “ Over her head he grins through the curtains at Blanche. As the lights fade away, with a lingering brightness on their embrace, the music of the blue piano and trumpet and drums is heard.” This particular example is important as if is showing important aspects of Stanley character. . The piano also warns the audience of the approaching character as it is played just before Stanley appears and therefore tension and suspense is generated for the audience the dynamics of the piano also helps to stress the importance of the scene. “ The music of the blue piano grows louder. Blanche touches her handkerchief to her forehead.”
