imagery and symbolism

• stage direction examples


  "the infatuated fluency of brown fingers"= conveys the pianists skillful playing and total absorption in the music

  the "f" alliteration adds to the sense of smooth and masterful harmonising

  the polka music "filtered into weird distortion"= reflects blanches mental state

  the harsh discords that caricature polka music signal the sad memories of the past are about to give way to the harsh reality of blanche's institutionalised future
• imgargy in dialogue


  while evocative imagery might be expected from blanche, who is an english teacher, it is unexpected from stanley= arguably his use of imagery, makes the audience is aware of his extreme passions about something, e.g.

  "coloured lights" in scene 8 to describe the ecstasy of passion

  "that worn out mardi-gras outfit, rented for 50 cents from some rag-picker" in scene 10 to brutally destroy blanche's illusions by insulting her evening gown and tiara
• streetcar


  symbol of blanche's headlong dissent into madness

  alternatively, a symbol of William's lifelong pursuit of sexual partners

  s4: used by both sisters as a euphemism for sexual experience

  s4, 6, 10: headlong rush of the locomotive is another symbol of relentless fate

  destination= Elysian fields= abode of the blessed dead in greek mythology= ironic= actually a rundown street in New Orleans= symbolic and foreshadows the death of the antebellum and blanche's destruction/ institutionalisation
• symbols relating to blanche


  s5: split coke on her dress= recalls the blood spilt by allan's suicide OR perhaps blanche's stained reputation

  baths= her endless desire to be cleansed of her guilt for her husband's death and of her promiscuous past, e.g. Macbeth

  light/ paper lantern= longing for 'magic'= the disguising of ugly reality

  when stanley tears off the lantern blanche cries out in pain= emotional pain so great it translates into physical suffering

  light also references the idea of moths= image used of blanche's fragility in s1
• blanche has the most symbols


  reflective of how she has the greatest need to find another, more bearable reality in her imagination
• stanley vs blanche as constructs


  post-war society vs the antebellum
• s11: baby is wrapped in a blue blanket


  another symbol of stanley's luck and triumph= received the son he always wanted

  idea of a new generation/ sustained masculine dominance
• polka music, inhuman jungle cries

  significantly these die out as blanche listens to the doctor's gentle, courteous voice= the first person to offer her comfort and understanding (which she asks for)= voices dying out mirror her distress lessening

  important= as she leaves stanley's presence the voices die out too= highlights his role in worsening her hysteria