Symbolism by definition is the representation of things by means of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events or relationships. Symbolism plays an important role in the play by helping readers understand the concept of the theme better. The most obvious symbol used in A Streetcar Named Desire is its title and the actual reference, in the play, to the streetcars named Desire and Cemeteries. They not only are the means by which Blanche was brought to the home of Stanley and Stella; as the play unfolds, we realize the names of the streetcars have a greater significance. [Blanche says, " They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at Elysian Fields"] (s.1, 6). Williams seems to be alluding to a belief that desire leads to death, even though it is not meant physically, but rather in an emotional aspect. The play also includes other key elements of symbolic meaning, such as Blanche wearing the color white, staying away from light, and bathing constantly.
Blanche is described as wearing white, the symbol of purity. This is very ironic, because she appears to be pure by wearing it, hiding her inner sins, even though she is actually not. In scene one the stage notes describe this to the reader. ["She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district"] (s.1, 5). The reader later discovers that Blanche is not pure by the way she has been living her life. She sees herself as a prim and proper woman, not as a prostitute. Williams shows how Blanche is not pure by an event that occurred with Stella and Blanche. [Stella pours the coke into the glass. It foams over and spills. Blanche gives a piercing cry. Stella shocked by the cry, "Heavens!" Blanche says "Right on my pretty white skirt"] (s.
In the Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, Stanley Kowalski displays his brutality in many ways. ... Stanley's brutality is shown in several places during the duration of The Street Car Named Desire . ... In Conclusion, in The Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, Stanley's brutality is evident throughout the entire course of the play. ...
Falsehood in A Street Car Named Desire Throughout life, people use false information to either hide or protect other information for their own benefit or maybe someone else's. ... In Tennessee William's book A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanch Dubois uses lies, fantasies and symbolic actions to escape the harsh reality of her life. ... Throughout the play a streetcar named desire by Tennessee Williams, Blanch uses lies, fantasies and symbolic actions to show her desperation to escape her harsh reality. ...
The characters make A Streetcar Named Desire an undeniable landmark in both American literature and film. ... A line could be straight, or a street, but the heart of a human being never." ... Although not as explicit, Stella also suffers from desire. ... 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 ...
The characters make A Streetcar Named Desire an undeniable landmark in both American literature and film. ... A line could be straight, or a street, but the heart of a human being never." ... Although not as explicit, Stella also suffers from desire. ... 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 ...
A Streetcar Named Desire - Complexity of the Characters It is the complexity of the main characters and their interactions that make A Streetcar Named Desire such a successful and challenging play. The play A Streetcar Named Desire made playwright Tennessee William's name and has deservedly since had over half a century of success. ... As the name suggests Stella and Blanche's time at "Belle Reve" was near perfect. ... A Streetcar Named Desire would hardly have a story if the characters weren't so complex and didn't interact with each other in the way in which they do....
In A Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, Stanley Kowalski displays his brutality in many ways. ... Stanley's brutality is shown in several places during the duration of A Street Car Named Desire; at the poker night when he gets so angry and throws the radio out the window, when he beats his wife, Stella, and his arrogant actions are most apparent when he rapes Blanche, while his wife is in labor at the hospital. ... I've discussed the aspect of brutality in A Streetcar Named Desire and now I want to compare it briefly to brutality in The Program, A book turned scree...
"A Street Car Named Desire" was one of his most successful and most performed plays. The title of the play has relations with the specific location; New Orleans is actually served by streetcars named "Desire" and "Cemetery". The action might be summed up as Blanche's (the main character of the play) emotional journey from desire to madness. ...
