A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire Symbolism Task: Find references/quotes from the text which demonstrate each of these examples of symbolism.

1. The Streetcar • The Streetcar symbolises Blanche’s journey of uncontrolled desire (passion) into disaster (the living death of the asylum) • The rails symbolise the inevitability of fate

2. The lantern and the lightbulb • The lightbulb – reality • The lantern – covering over it to cope – ‘magic’

3. The moth • Blanche’s fragility • Her attraction to danger and destruction

4. The stain on Blanche’s skirt • The coke stain on the dress (scene 5) • Symbolises the blood spilt by her husband’s suicide • Also Blanche’s stained reputation with her promiscuous past • Guilt

5. Blue Piano • Represents the life and vitality of the neighbourhood

6. The Polka (Varasouviana) • Recalls the tragedy in Blanche’s past

7. The Poker Game • The games people play – “cards on the table” • The strong masculine characters – they are the ones around the table

7. Stanley and Blanche • Blanche symbolises the decadent old plantation culture rooted in the slavery system • Stanley represents the new America of immigrants, labour, cities and sweat

A Streetcar Named Desire