'A Streetcar Named Desire'

Tennessee William’s ‘A streetcar named desire’ brought in elements of animal imageries, ironies and symbolism. I’m interested in the symbolism presented by the playwright as it suggests to me the character traits of every character. I’m more interested in examine Blanche character traits rather than her sister Stella as I think Blanche’s past life had more to deal with. Look at her appearances, she still dresses as if she is in the past, trying to maintain the stereotypical image of a southern belle. At first the audience may not immediately grasp the importance of Blanche's clothes, but as the play continues Stanley is introduced and becomes a stark contrast to her. "…Roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes, Stanley carries his bowling jacket and a red stained package from a butcher." The use of bold, vibrant and lurid detail highlights the juxtaposition between these two extreme characters. Stanley represents the overpowering dominant force that finally destroys the mentally unstable Blanche. Williams uses a moth as a metaphor for Blanche to convey her vulnerability and delicate state. This imagery emphasizes her fragility and innocence against the harsh, bright and threatening atmosphere of New Orleans. "Let's leave the lights off." Blanche lives in constant fear of being seen in the light, as it would reveal the ugly reality that she tries so hard to cover up. Meanwhile, the hiding of the naked light bulb is again a symbol of her eternal longing for magic and fantasy. Blanche is "fighting to survive, a butterfly broken on the wheel of reality…adjusting the light to conceal the fact of her ageing which she fears above all." ³ This statement describes Blanche's metaphorical and mental struggle against reality. Williams himself once said, “Delicate and moth-like she is a refined, sensitive, cultured, intelligent women who is never willing to hurt anyone. She is at mercy of a brutal, realistic world." He explains that the real reason for Blanche's downfall is because of her innocence and her naive approach to life. There’s a lot more to discuss but I just can’t wait for the staging of this play!