streetcar named desire

• “I can’t stand a naked bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action”.

  use of light and dark shows that Blanche has a discomfort when being shown in a light that is revealing, signifying her tendency to deceive others to conceal her own self-doubt and her aversion to confronting truth directly.
• “merciless glare!"

  discomfort she expresses in the apartment shows her uncomfortable manner towards her sister’s home and lifestyle and furthers the notion that she is uncomfortable in lights that reveal her true appearance.

  This is shown later in the play when Stanley argues with Blanche about why she had to leave home. He rips the paper lantern off the bulb symbolising him ripping away the layers of her deception.
• “put on soft colours – the colours of butterfly wings and glow”.


  As her lies unfold and her downfall begins the idea of the traditional American south falls with her, where appearances were prioritised over truths. she is referring to the idea of a gentile southern bell who she believes she has to live up to.
• “temporary magic”


  The fact that she admits to Stella shows how tired she is of the futility of always trying to live up to an unattainable standard.
• “being morbid”


  The audience’s sympathy is gained by her fragility and isolation at this point.
• “abrupt change to gaiety”

  showing her façade does not slip for long.
• “real look at [her]”


  As more of Blanche is revealed throughout the play, we begin to realise that her weakness is a way to cover up her own inadequacies – particularly her guilt over losing her late husband, losing her job, and ageing, as she is very protective over her appearance and youth. She defends herself to Mitch when he comes to confront her and rips off the paper lantern.
• “I don’t want realism…I want magic”


  showing us the conflict between illusion and reality she has created by lying which has driven most of her actions in the play.
• "I don't tell truths, I tell what ought to be truth"


  This develops the idea that the reality blanche is living in is completely different to her actual life, and she convinces herself that the reason behind all the lies she tells is because the reality she has manipulated is the correct one, and how the world should be.
• The Mexican woman offering flowers and the blue piano. 


  Signifies the death of her hope. And this is the last time we see Blanche existing in the real world.
• The rape of Blanche.


  The final sequence of the play is the confrontation of Blanche and Stanley, where unlike Mitch, who tries to force intimacy on her, Stanley succeeds in this. After threatening her made up reality with the truth, he strips away her fantasy by raping her.
• “couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley”.


  This is ironic as Stella is now papering over the truth rather than her sister.
• a moon wrapped in brown paper