Symbolism within A Streetcar Named Desire By Saji

Symbolism within A Streetcar Named Desire By Saji Sultan

Symbolic • Belle Reve: Name of Blanche's family home in Mississippi. It represents the "beautiful dream" ( the translation of Belle Reve)that Blanche seeks but never experiences. • Eylsian Fields: This is ironic as Blanche is seeking refuge and is expecting a paradise but in reality it’s a rundown and poor. This is sign from the beginning that her stay will not be a good one. The streetcar also symbolises the uncontrollable journey of desire Blanche has taken through most of her life into one of total disasterthe rape and the asylum.

The Lantern and the light bulb • The lantern is used to • The light bulb is reality cover the light which Blanche can not Blanche is always hiding cope with and therefore from and also the past she tries to hide and which Blanche is trying to shield herself from bright keep hidden away. them whenever she can. • The tearing down of the • Blanche can handle her lantern represents how ageing and fading beauty Blanche has been found so she feels is she is out for her lying about her exposed to light she will age, past partners and be seen for who she about the true nature of really is, a liar. Which her departure from Blanche feels will stop her teaching. gaining a man and above all security.

The coloured lights • Scene Eight Stanley- “having them coloured lights going!” • Stanley is using imagery to show his relationship with Stella has always been sexual and this is the only way apart from getting angry Stanley has of expressing himself and connecting with Stella.

Blanches bathing • Throughout, Blanche bathes herself to an obsessive degree. Her sexual experiences have made her a hysterical woman, but these baths, as she says, calm her nerves. But in actual fact she is trying to cleanse herself of her past sexual encounters.

The Polka Music. • Blanche is aware that to hear the music is strange and knows that it will fade eventually. • The polka and the moment it evokes represent Blanche’s loss of innocence. The suicide of the young husband Blanche loved dearly was the event that triggered her mental decline. Since then, Blanche hears the Varsouviana whenever she panics and loses her grip on reality.

Alcohol • Blanche’s drinking is anti-social, and she tries to keep it a secret. She drinks on the sly in order to withdraw from harsh reality. A state of drunken stupor enables her to take a flight of imagination such has with Shep Huntleigh. • Blanches drinking leads to destructive behaviour and alcohol augments Blanche’s gradual departure from sanity.