Paper 1

Kelly Hendricks

Professor J. Mignano-Brady

English 102

October 18, 2015

A Streetcar Named Desire

In the play A Streetcar Named Desire, American playwright Tennessee Williams using a variety of motifs and symbols to create higher ideas that are not clearly stated in the play as a technique that allows readers to closely examine the characters inner mind and desires. In literary terms, a motif is classified as reoccurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes. Symbolism on the other hand is characterized as objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Aside from the use of symbolism and thematic elements, Tennessee Williams also highlights the significance of one having an internal desire and drive to generate illusions as opposed to facing reality in order to survive in society. Throughout the play Blanche’s fears and the false reality she’s created for herself are exposed through the use of motifs and symbolism which in the end lead to her tragic downfall.

            In literature the metaphorical light exposes someone for their true selves; it is a place where someone can no longer hide themselves and all inner demons are brought forward out of the shadows and into reality . Blanche, who is the play’s dazed and romantic protagonist is petrified of this so called light and is depicted multiple times fighting to steer clear of it. In scene 3 Blanche is introduced to Mitch, her brother-in-law Stanley’s friend who she finds a particular interest in. While in discussion with this new man Blanche states, “Yes Stella is my sister, I call her little in spite of the fact she’s somewhat older than I. Just slightly. Less than a year. Will you do something for me?” (Blanche, 1189). Mitch gladly accepts as Blanche continues, “I bought this adorable little colored paper lantern at a Chinese shop on Bourbon. Put it over the light bulb! Will you please?” (Blanche, 1189). This odd request portrays Blanche’s desperate fear of being seen in the light and her comfort in the darkness which allows her to mask who she really is. In order to conceal her feelings toward being exposed to the light Blanches explains to Mitch, “I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action” (Blanche, 1189). Clearly Blanche possesses a desperate desire to not be viewed in direct light and is willing to do or say anything to elude from it. Blanche’s repression of the light is also exemplified when she refuses to tell Mitch how old she truly is. In scene 6 Mitch asks her age; at a loss for words Blanche replies “Why do you want to know?” (Blanche, 1210). In shock of his highly insolent question and fear of her true age being acknowledged  Blanche quickly changes the subject going on to ask Mitch about his sick mother. Blanche’s expeditious reaction to Mitch’s question distinctly represents her desperation for her age to remain hidden so she can go on with the story that she is younger than she actually is. It is in scene 9 where it is brought to Mitch’s attention that he has never actually seen Blanche in direct light and goes on to say “It’s dark in here” (Mitch, 1223). In response to his comment Blanche reveals, “I like the dark. The dark is comforting to me” (Blanche, 1223). Mitch beings to come to the realization that he has never truly gotten a good look at Blanche for who she truly is. Unaware of the circumstances Mitch is blind to the fact that by Blanche hiding herself in the darkness she is preventing him from seeing her fading beauty and exploiting her fears.

            Throughout the play, Blanche is found in various scenes bathing and soaking herself in the tub, although this ritual may seem minuscule it in fact has a much more convoluted meaning behind it. Blanche’s sexual past is interpreted in the play to be nothing less than licentious therefore leaving her with the label of being indecent. In scene 2, Blanche’s sister Stella attempts to justify the repetitive bathing to her husband Stanley by claiming “She’s soaking in a hot tub to quiet her nerves. She’s terribly upset” (Stella, 1177). In contrary to Stella’s explanation that bathing soothes Blanche’s nerves, she is in fact attempting to cleanse herself of her repugnant sexual past. Blanche believes that if she scrubs her skin enough her unwholesomeness actions will be washed away, although in reality such a thing is not possible therefore her bathing is never ending. In scene 7 Stanley discloses information that back in the town of Laurel Blanche had been fired from her job at a high school in response to her having a sexual relationship with a seventeen year old boy. Unable to hold back his eagerness Stanley explains to Stella, “She’s not going back to teach school! In fact I am willing you that she never had no idea of returning to Laurel! She didn’t resign temporarily from the high school because of her nerves! No, siree, Bob! She didn’t. they kicked her out of that high school before the spring term ended- and I hate to tell you the reason that step was taken! A seventeen-year-old boy- she’d gotten mixed up with!” (Stanley, 1214). Clearly Blanche’s unfitting past has lead her to having the desire to cleanse herself of her sins. Although it doesn’t end there, Stanley continues with his anecdote a fellow worker informed him of. According to Stanley’s reliable source, Blanche also had a few encounters with men at a local hotel in Laurel called the Flamingo. Stanley goes on to explain, “This is after the home place had slipped through her lily-white fingers! She moved to the Flamingo! A second-class hotel which has the advantage of not interfering in the private social life of the personalities there! The Flamingo is used to all kinds of goings-on” (Stanley, 1213). Blanche has evidently had a reputation in Laurel for being a floozy, which during her time was immensely frowned upon by society for a woman to be so sexually discriminate. Therefore by coming to the new town of New Orleans, Blanche anticipated to cleanse herself of her dissipated past.

The reoccurring polka music that plays in the background of the play is a symbol of Blanche’s memory and guilt she holds as a result her husband’s death. The tunes are symbolic due to the fact that polka music was playing at the casino Blanche and her late husband had been dancing at before his untimely death. Earlier that day before the calamitous events occured, Blanche had found Allen in bed with another man, although after the discovery was made they continued to act as if nothing had happened. In scene 6 Blanche explains, “Afterward we pretended nothing had been discovered. Yes, the three of us drove out to Moon Lake Casino, very drunk and laughing all the way. We danced the “Varsouviana!” Suddenly in the middle of the dance the boy I had married broke away from me and ran out the casino. A few moments later- a shot!” (Blanche, 1211). After this clarification on Allen’s death, Blanche goes on to state that before he had put the gun to his head she couldn’t help but acknowledge what had happened. “It was because- on the dance floor- unable to stop myself- I’d suddenly said- “I saw! I know! You disgust me…” And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one moment since has there been any light that’s stronger than this-kitchen- candle…” (Blanche, 1212). Clearly, the sound of the polka music in the background represents Blanche’s regret and guilt she holds for Allen’s death. She believes that her actions and incapability to accept her husband’s homosexuality forced him to the point of killing himself, therefore leaving Blanche to carry that burden forever.

            The song “It’s a Paper Moon” which is sung by Blanche while bathing in scene 7 symbolizes her outlook on life and how our perspective on the world can turn our fantasies into a reality. The song delineates that if one chooses to believe in something, it therefore must mean it’s true. For example, Blanche sings “Say, it’s only a paper moon, sailing over a card-board sea/- But it wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me!” (Blanche, 1213). These lyrics patently describe and symbolize Blanche’s approach to life and how she begins to believe in her own fantasies.    

Throughout the play, the theme of fantasy vs. reality plays a crucial role in contributing to Blanche’s tragic downfall. When it comes to someone like Blanche who uses illusions as a means of coping with life, they will go to extravagant lengths to keep up with the flawless image that they have created for themselves. Unable to differentiate the fantasies and realities of her life, Blanche shows signs of falling into the category of having a fantasy prone personality. In 1981, psychologists Cheryl Wilson and Theodore Barber discovered a theory in which someone strains from separating fantasy from reality. There are a number of characteristics that characterize someone as having a FFP, examples include adopting a fantasy identity or reliving past experiences, both of which Blanche holds (Weiler 2).  Due to Blanche’s informal past and desire to feel wanted by the opposite sex, she thrives off her own fantasy of purity in hopes of being perceived as a proper woman. For example in scene 5 Stanley begins to question Blanche’s past and sexual history at The Hotel Flamingo, concerned she replies “I’m afraid he does have me mixed up with this “other party.” The Hotel Flamingo is not the sort of establishment I would dare to be seen in!” (Blanche, 1201). Although Stanley’s accusations of her staying at this debauched establishment are completely true, Blanche is quick to say she would never be caught dead there because it is known for welcoming promiscuous women. If the reality behind Blanche’s past and situation had been exposed, her lies and illusions would cause her to be seen as undesirable therefore demolishing her fantasy. Blanche’s lies of purity don’t end there, in scene 1Blanche attempts to hide her promiscuity by telling Stella, “I was so exhausted by all I’d been through my-nerves broke. I was on the verge of- lunacy, almost! So Mr. Graves-Mr. Graves is the high school superintendent- he suggested I take a leave of absence. I couldn’t put all of those details into the wire…” (Blanche, 1170). In order for Blanche to hide the real reason behind why she left her job, she creates this illusion that she needed a break when in reality she was attempting to hide the fact that she was involved sexually with one of her young students therefore resulting in her expulsion. If the news were to ever surface of her erotic behavior, it would cause her to be deemed undesirable and unwanted by men. In scene 5 Blanche continues with her created perception that she is an innocent girl, as discussing Mitch with Stella she proclaims “Mitch-Mitch is coming at seven. I guess I am just feeling nervous about our relations. He hasn’t gotten a thing but a good-night kiss, that’s all I have given him, Stella. I want his respect. And men don’t want anything they get too easy. But on the other hand men lose interest quickly. Especially when the girl is over- thirty. They think a girl over thirty ought to- the vulgar term is- “put out.”… and I-I’m not “putting out.” Of course he-he doesn’t know- I mean I haven’t informed him- of my real age” (Blanche, 1203). Without a doubt by her statements in this scene, Blanche attempts to portray she is nervous about what will come that night with Mitch as though she has never been in this scenario. In addition to her apparent fears for her date with Mitch, Blanche also confirms that she had been hiding her true age from Mitch suggesting that she has created the illusion for him that she is younger than she truly is. By creating these mirages Blanche exemplifies her desperate need to feel accepted and wanted by her suitors. It is in scene 10 where Blanche’s fantasies and illusions come tumbling down leading to her crumble. In her last attempt to create the illusion that she is a proper woman and needed by men, Blanche informs Stanley that she has received a telegram from an old admirer asking to join him on a cruise through the Caribbean. Uneasy of her story Mitch begins to question the liability of this so called invitation; as a result Blanche argues “It won’t be the sort of thing you have in mind. This man is a gentleman and he respects me. What he wants is my companionship. Having great wealth sometimes makes people lonely! A cultivated woman, a woman of intelligence and breeding, can enrich a man’s life- immeasurably! I have those things to offer, and this doesn’t take them away. Physical beauty is passing. A transitory possession. But beauty of the mind and richness of the spirit and tenderness of the heart- and I have all of those things- aren’t taken away but grow! Increase with the years! How strange that I should be called a destitute woman! When I have all of these treasures locked in my heart. I think of myself as a very, very rich woman! But I have been foolish- casting my pearls before swine” (Blanche, 1228). By ranting of her internal beauty including intelligence and a kind heart, Blanche attempts to persuade Stanley into believing that although her physical beauty may wear off she is still a respectable and desirable woman to men. Although in reality, she does not truly believe this herself. To Blanche her appearance is everything and without the fountain of youth she has nothing.  These illusions and fantasies Blanche created herself soon fade after Stanley reacts to her story arguing, “There isn’t a goddamn thing but imagination!” (Stanley, 1229). It is within this moment of being exposed that brings upon Blanche’s downfall, her immense fear of her reality being exposed have come true and are now out in the open for all to know. In the end she is ultimately forced to abandon her fantasies and face reality.

             Through the use of symbolism and motifs, Tennessee Williams clearly portrays Blanche as a multidimensional character who creates illusions of her life because she is unable to accept reality. Although the symbols within the play are not clearly stated they allow for the readers to understand Blanche on a more complex level. Aside from her obsession with fantasy and appearing as someone she is not, Blanche’s fears of being exposed to the light, cleansing herself of her past, and constant reminders of her late husband’s death in background music leads her to the point of insanity. All in all, Blanche’s inability to accept her past and face reality ultimately lead to her downfall which was outlined through the use of higher ideas including symbolism and theme.

Weiler, Craig. "The Myth of the Fantasy Prone Personality (FFP)."Weilerpsiblog.wordpress.com. 12 May 2009. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.

Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. Ed. Alison Booth and Kelly J Mays. New York: Norton Introduction To Literature, 2006. Print