Symbolism in A Streetcar Named Desire

How does Tennessee Williams use Symbolism to pass on some of his themes or ideas, in “A Streetcar Named ‘Desire’”?

During the late nineteen-forties, it was common for playwrights such as Tennessee Williams to use symbolism as an approach to convey personal thoughts, through the attitudes of the characters and the setting. Williams’ actors have used symbolism to disguise the actuality of their thoughts and to accommodate the needs of their conservative audience.

A Streetcar Named ‘Desire’ has a few complicated character traits and themes. Therefore, they have to be symbolised using figures or images to express abstract and mystical ideas, so that the viewers can remain clueless. Williams not only depicts a clear personality of the actors but he also includes real-life public opinions from the past (some of which are contemporary.) These opinions were likely to raise controversies on issues such as prejudice, social gender expectations and men and women’s roles in society.

There have been numerous occasions when symbolism has taken place in A Streetcar Named ‘Desire.’ Firstly, Stanley is insulted several times by Blanche (his sister-in-law) Stella (his beloved wife) and other residents of the ‘Quarter’.

For example, the term ‘animal’ has been constantly spoken of, to define Stanley’s malicious and ill-natured conduct. In scene four, Blanche tries to persuade her younger sister to go elsewhere and leave her husband. On page 163, she complains:

Blanche: He acts like an animal, has an animal’s habits! Eats like one, talks like one! There’s even something - sub-human – something not quite to the stage of humanity yet! Yes, something – ape-like about him… …there he is – Stanley Kowalski – …Bearing the raw meat home from the kill in the jungle!

Furthermore, when the play begins, Stanley enters the ground-floor apartment carrying ‘a red stained package from a butcher’s.’

Stanley: Catch!

Stella: What?

Stanley: Meat!

From these two brief extracts, the keynote is that the red meat is a symbol used to show Stanley’s ‘bestial’ attitude, which is also in another of Blanche’s dialogues:

Blanche: There’s something downright – bestial – about him!

The image Blanche creates of Stanley (him being an animal - an ape) is coincidental to the fact that she is actually describing her brother-in-law, throwing red meat to his wife in an unacceptable fashion.

We know that Blanche had not been present, at the time of the event. This clearly proves that Stanley’s bad actions are so obvious, even other characters in the play can predict his actions. It is just like saying a tiger

arrives at his habitat with ‘red meat’ and feeds his cubs, similar to what any other animal would do. Basically, Stanley tossing the pack of meat at his wife could symbolise that he is not a normal human being! He is an animal, a caveman, or even a ‘madman’, as Blanche prefers calling him! (Page 158)

Blanche: In my opinion? You’re married to a madman!

However, the ‘red-stained package’ might mean something completely different. Perhaps the playwright is symbolising a new entry; trying to describe an early impression of Stanley. The colour red could suggest a hot, passionate and sexy character, who does not care about manners as long as sex and women are always there for him.

On the other hand, maybe the word ‘stained’ is telling us that Stanley is dirty. ‘Package’ may mean an arrival. Altogether, the ‘red-stained package’ could mean the arrival of a disgusting but good-looking man. Many interpretations have been given here and symbolism depends on what the audience believes it be.

The use of animalistic symbols is repeated, just as Blanche arrives at Elysian Fields. We are given an early suspicion of her unusual and strange sense in clothing.

Narrator: Her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light. There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes, that suggests a moth.

Mentioning the light, we know that Blanche is a fragile and sensitive young lady. Another hint is that she has a fear for strong light; something which will shine over the truth and reveal it to all. The ‘Chinese lantern’ is an important symbol, which Blanche uses to cover up her appearance. Actually, the playwright uses it to show secrecy and that Blanche is hiding from the outside world.

The fact that Blanche is wearing white clothes tells us that she wants a fresh start, because the colour white symbolises purity. Virginity for a woman is just as important. It should be saved for the right man at the right time, which followed the conventions of the period the play was written in. Here we have two contradictory facts which, if combined, could mean the same thing; by wearing such a genuine and formal outfit, Blanche could be trying to fool her audience into thinking that she is untainted – a virgin. In other words, she may want to wipe out her past and start fresh.

An unlikely (though possible) prediction to the phrase, ‘suggests a moth’, could be the alliteration between the words ‘myth’ and ‘moth’. On one side of the story, the playwright may be experimenting with a butterfly-like creature, demonstrating an innocent Blanche to the audience. Opposed to this, he might be giving signs that her white clothes (virginity) suggest there were myths (stories) at one time, concerning Blanche. We will never know for definite, what Williams is really trying to transmit, though he is definitely

sending some sort of a hidden message here! We discover the truth in scene ...

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sending some sort of a hidden message here! We discover the truth in scene four.

Sexuality is a huge theme in this play, yet to discuss. Another major symbol used by Williams, is the streetcar – the title of the play, itself. While Blanche confronts Stella about the previous night (the poker night), she explains to her enthusiastically that the relationship Stella has with Stanley, is merely infatuation. There is a constant repetition of Blanche’s hatred and disgust for Stanley, throughout the script.

Blanche: What you are talking about is brutal desire – just – Desire! – the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter, up one old narrow street and down another…

Stella: Haven’t you ever ridden on that street-car?

Blanche: It brought me here – where I’m not wanted and where I’m ashamed to be…

In this selection the ‘rattle-trap streetcar’ named ‘Desire’, might represent Stanley, while the ‘Quarter’ may represent Stella. In my opinion, Blanche is really implying that Stanley is the typical, careless husband who has most probably slept with (‘bangs’) many young ladies (‘up one old narrow street and down another’.) He has had many one-night-stands and, informally, could be called a ‘player!’ This is a term used in modern day English, but during the nineteen-forties, the alternative would be a ‘rogue.’

Another suggestion to the quote, ‘up one old narrow street and down another’, could be the description of the movement made, whilst practising sexual intercourse – as we know this is done in and out or ‘up’ and ‘down!’

Following Blanche’s quotation, Stella retorts a defensive question, actually referring to the streetcar named Desire, which Blanche has just described. She may be trying to allude to the fact that Blanche had once been in the same shoes as her – riding on the same streetcar and having a desire for sex and man. Of course, this does not mean having had a number of intimacies with strangers. To Stella, Stanley and only Stanley, is one important man in her life.

Stella could also be referring to Blanche’s virginity. After reading this page again, I have had second thoughts. I am still unsure, as this extract is very ambiguous. Personally, I think Stella is asking her elder sister whether or not she is a virgin but then again, this is subject to the audience and what choices they might make over the speech.

Ironically, the audience may even interpret this speech to be an indication of the fact that Blanche’s history involved prostitution and she had had plenty of affairs with various men. This information is fully discovered later, but at this early stage, Williams uses a phallic symbol to signal the theme of sexuality. The streetcar also personifies the following understandings:

Reproductive power, by symbolically and indirectly relating to a phallus. The statement ‘bangs through the Quarter’ can be used to describe both the phallus and the streetcar.

Men were superior to women, during the mid-twentieth century. The evidence is in the speech because men could obviously do anything they wished, when they wished; go ‘up’ and ‘down’ whenever they liked, even make good use of their ‘Quarters!’ By saying this, I would like to point out that Stanley always had the upper hand to Stella. He was very convincing and managed to win over Blanche, to persuade his own wife. The rape scene can also be associated with superiority. Stanley used Blanche’s body to prove that she was a liar, a cheater and had gone insane. He also saw women ‘with sexual classifications’ and judged them, depending on their appearance; we are told on page 128. Therefore, it is a fact that men were superior to women, and they could fulfil any of their ‘desires!’

Finally, when Blanche answers her sister’s question, she is taking it literally (referring to the real streetcar, which brought her to Elysian Fields.) That is how it would seem to a new audience. This is a fine example of symbolism.

One who hears the dialogue in the highlighted selection (above) is likely to assume that Blanche is talking about the real streetcar, on which she travelled to arrive at her destination. Truthfully, I think Blanche is implying that sex was what made her come to Elysian Fields. She is declaring that because of sex, she has had to suffer through all those problems. Blanche has obviously grasped the significance of her past mistakes, repented them and known what is right and wrong.

It is interesting to notice how one, short piece of text can be so symbolic and how easily it can be misunderstood! The first time I read the play I did not observe all these ideas. Nevertheless, after reading the script repeatedly, I realised that every single word Williams had entered had been deliberately done, to represent some things of his time. One of the reasons for doing this could be because it was a crime just to say the word ‘sex’, or anything related to that subject. Instead, playwrights suggested these ideas by using symbols, as what this essay is all about.

Progressing to the sound of music and instrumental signs, Streetcar includes two very significant symbols that are linked with crucial themes such as sexuality and madness. The ‘hot trumpets’ and the ‘blue piano’ are constantly heard during short periods of tension and when Blanche experiences insanity!

Williams has introduced the ‘blue piano’ in scene one. The first page of the script tells us that it ‘expresses the spirit of life which goes on here’ – referring to a part of New Orleans (Elysian Fields.) On certain occasions, the polka tune was also played. For instance, at the end of scene one, Stanley raises doubts about whether or not Blanche is married. This reminds Blanche of her horrific past and how her young husband had died. It creates tension and if,

as an audience, we were to view the stage drama, it would build a large amount of suspense. The reason for this is that straight after the polka music plays, Blanche claims that she is ‘going to be sick!’ From this, we know that Blanche is in a bad state and wants to forget.

Returning to the sound of the ‘polka tune’, I would like to add that music in general life, can have quite an effect on its listeners. Polka music was played for a lively nineteenth-century dance. Here, it has been used to keep the viewers focused and to grab their attention on the story line.

In the following fragment, Blanche and Stanley are deep in conversation. They have been discussing the loss of Belle Reve, loans, mortgages and Stanley wants all the papers that will confirm the matter.

Stanley: … - a man has to take interest in his wife’s affairs – especially now that she’s going to have a baby.

Narrator: Blanche opens her eyes. The ‘blue piano’ sounds louder.

Blanche: Stella? Stella going to have a baby? [Dreamily.] I didn’t know she was going to have a baby!

As well as Blanche, herself, we did not know that Stella was expecting! The music would make us listen carefully to what was being said and create an atmosphere of agitation. As you may have read above, Blanche had not been aware of what, exactly, Stanley was talking about (his wife being pregnant.) Her eyes were obviously shut and she only opened them in sudden realisation. This was when the ‘blue piano’ sounded louder.

For Blanche, what Stanley told her, was enough to wake her up. However, even if we had missed these dialogues as a group of spectators, ‘the blue piano sounds louder.’ Then Blanche gives a quick synopsis to us, in case we failed to seize the first one. Not only does the ‘blue piano’ make us feel restless and impatient but it has also been used as a reminder for its target audience.

At the end of scene seven, Blanche comes out of the bathroom and is curious over her sister’s strange behaviour. She is sure something has gone terribly wrong.

Stella [turning quickly away]: Why, nothing has happened, Blanche.

Blanche: You’re lying! Something has!

Narrator: She stares fearfully at Stella, who pretends to be busy at the table. The distant piano goes into a hectic breakdown.

This is a dramatic moment for Blanche. According to this quote, Stella is lying and hiding her true emotions. Blanche is fearful, Stella is deceitful, and the piano breaks down. It symbolises the shock, fright and the fact that the truth has finally been disclosed. On the stage, suspense would increase and the audience would wonder what happens next.

Another example of the presence of the ‘blue piano’ is when Blanche and Stella have been expressing their views of Stanley. Blanche considers him to have ‘animal force’ while Stella finds such things unimportant. Stanley has overheard their exchange of views and casually enters, once they have finished talking.

Narrator: Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely, and full in the view of Blanche… …Over her head he grins through the curtains at Blanche… …the music of the ‘blue piano’ and trumpet and drums is heard.

The instruments mentioned in this quote build-up jealousy, another theme in the play. In this case, ‘the music of the blue piano’ symbolises Stanley’s triumph over Blanche. He is grinning because he has won the battle between himself and Blanche. He is showing-off because he knows he has control over Stella, as she came running into his arms and is in his possession. Again, this is linked very much with superiority. Stanley always thinks that men are more important.

For instance, when he is excited to be a father, Stanley exclaims to Blanche that he will tear off his pyjama coat and ‘wave it like a flag!’ He also includes in his speech that the telephone will ring and ‘they’ (referring to the doctors) will say; “You’ve got a son!” This is evidence that a baby girl is not even on his mind. He wants his ‘boy’ to grow up like him, follow his footsteps and be a real man. This idea was also a symbol in Streetcar to show the influence of men in society.

At the end of scene ten, a serious incident occurs:

Narrator: She moans… …He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed. The hot trumpet and drums from the Four Deuces sound loudly.

This statement is given to us just after Blanche ‘smashes a bottle on the table.’ She then clutches ‘the broken top.’ As I have mentioned several times before, sexual or racist discrimination was illegal in the nineteen-forties. After seeing the actions above, an intelligent audience would assume what happens next, especially when the loud music is heard. This is another reason why ‘the hot trumpet’ was used. Here it has been used to symbolise Blanche’s rape by Stanley.

Streetcar includes a large number of symbols that have been added purposely for individual reasons. The major symbols have already been discussed but there are other minor ones, which appear maybe only once or twice.

The morning after the poker party, Blanche faces Stella and is determined to convince her sister to move out and leave Stanley. However, Stella is far too submissive to Stanley and thinks that Blanche is ‘making much too fuss’ over

the matter. She starts cleaning up the mess in the room but her elder sister is against her actions.

Blanche: Stop it. Let go of that broom. I won’t have you cleaning up for him!

So far, I have been able to examine this text under two interpretations. One is the literal understanding, which is obviously what the above fragment suggests itself. Blanche orders Stella to stop cleaning up for Stanley. The reason for this is that she wants Stella to have some right over her husband, instead of him ruling her about; especially as Blanche’s expectations of Stanley are extremely low. Stella is the typical, domestic housewife and Blanche is angry because she feels that women should not be so forgiving and tolerant in front of men; instead, they should be equally treated. We can see this because she says, ‘I won’t have you cleaning up for him!’ This opinion followed some strong views of the public, around the twentieth century. Williams has used this fact to create a character like Blanche but at the same time, generating a very optimistic Stella! This concept of male dominance corresponds to the earlier idea of superiority.

The other recognition from this quote is that the broom may be symbolising Stanley’s personality, just as the ‘red meat’ may also have done. The focal point from this statement is that a broom is known to be a dusty cleaning up tool. Similarly, Stanley is a filthy, scruffy and ill-mannered being. In the quote, ‘Let go of that broom,’ Blanche is talking in an ordinary way. However, Williams might be symbolising Stanley through a messy broom. In Blanche’s eyes, this ‘broom’ must be gotten rid of quickly. Putting the two ingredients together (Stanley’s power over Stella and the broom representing Stanley) the outline could be the following: Blanche wants her sister to put an end to the relationship whereby Stanley, a rude and sickening male, has authority over Stella.

Throughout the entire play, various dialogues, actions and gestures have been symbolic in some sort of way. Moving on to scene ten, Stanley rapes Blanche. We are not told this directly but from the symbols Williams has used, it is very much obvious!

Firstly, Blanche is admiring her beauty in the mirror of her bedroom while Stella has just been escorted to the hospital, in the previous scene.

Narrator: …she has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown…

Any item that belongs to Blanche has to be white as we can see from the earlier examples of her clothes and specifically, in the above segment, her ‘white satin evening gown.’ More examples will follow. The fact that her ‘gown’ is ‘soiled and crumpled’, tells us that she is stained and it could be a clue that she’ll be destroyed sooner or later (‘crumpled.’) Again, Williams is giving signs

on things that happen later in the play. This resembles the situation Blanche had been in before, when Stella accidentally spilt a drink on her clothes:

Narrator: …Stella pours the coke into the glass. It foams over and spills. Blanche gives a piercing cry.]

…

Blanche: Right on my pretty white skirt!

…

Stella: Did it stain?

Blanche: Not a bit…

Stella: Why did u scream like that?

Blanche: I don’t know why I screamed! [Continuing nervously]…

This is a comparatively long extract with only the key points highlighted. Summarising it into simpler words, ‘Blanche gives a piercing cry’ because her

‘pretty white skirt’ has been ruined. Literally this is not true, but the subtext is that Blanche’s imaginary purity has been taken away. The purity, for example, can be the white skirt (her virginity) and the subtraction of this can be the spilling of the drink. Later, Blanche denies the stains so this plainly tells us that she may be in a fantasy world, not wanting to accept the truth; mainly her age and her loss of virginity. She also ‘screamed’ and continues to be nervous. This shows that Blanche is shaken up about what happened and finding it hard to recover from the accident. For her, a little mistake like this is a huge catastrophe!

Later in the night when Blanche and Mitch break up, Blanche talks to herself facing the dressing-table. This is the same scene as the one in which Stanley rapes her.

Narrator: She catches her breath and slams the mirror face down with such violence that the glass cracks…

…Stanley appears around the corner of the building…

Unlike plenty of others, this symbol is certainly not ambiguous. It has a straightforward meaning to the public. If glass cracks, it shows a sign of bad luck or a warning of some kind. The bad luck in this case, is that Blanche will soon be raped. The fact that ‘Stanley appears around the corner of the building,’ tells us Blanche’s bad luck will involve Stanley. Williams is hinting the story line, once again.

The last symbol I would like to analyse is the ‘small white radio.’ It has only appeared a couple of times during the early scenes of Streetcar. Stanley and his friends are having a game of poker while Stella and Blanche are relaxing.

Narrator: She turns the knobs on the radio…

…Stanley stalks fiercely through the portieres. He crosses to the small white radio… …With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out of the window.

The ‘white radio’ could have been used to symbolise Blanche’s purity or innocence. In fact, we discover later that she is not as innocent or pure as she seems to be. Just in the third scene of the play, Williams may be hinting that Blanche is gradually being ruined. Perhaps her ‘white radio’ being tossed ‘out of the window’ tells us that Stanley is already against Blanche and does not like the sound of her being around.

I shall conclude this essay with a brief understanding of symbolism. It is a very useful concept and often needed to give the audience a few suggestions. Symbolism makes people think and broadens their mind with varieties and ideas. In A Streetcar Named ‘Desire’, symbolism has been significantly used to show the roles of men and women in society and how they expect each other to be treated. It has disguised many possible sexual scenes; therefore, Williams has succeeded in transmitting some of his themes or ideas. Some of these are sexuality, madness, jealousy, racism, cruelty, loyalty, gender relationships and conflict.