Reality and Illusion in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire"

An Analysis of Frequent Symbols

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2009 , 19 Pages , Grade: 1,7

Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works

Tennessee Williams, born Thomas Lanier Williams, is not only known for being a “talented, perceptive and influential American playwright” (Day 1987, vii), but also for his frequent use of symbols. “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1947), the work which will be dealt with in this paper, is a good example for of usage, since it contains a lot of different kinds of symbolism, for example concerning colours, names, music and many more.
Numerous works will be found, if anyone searches for essays about symbolism in Williams’ works. Moreover, it is common knowledge that Streetcar is a play which deals not only superficially with a woman going insane, but a play which “bring[s] into violent contrast a neurotic woman’s dream world and the animalistic realism of her brother-in-law” (back of the book in the Diesterweg edition). But since there does not seem to be any work which deals with the question of how exactly Williams drew this contrast by use of symbolism, it will be my aim in this paper to analyse this question. Consequently, I will try to point out the main symbols with which Williams underlined the contrast between realism and illusion, especially considering names, colours, clothes, light, music and certain rituals of the main characters.
In the second part of this paper, I will deal with the question to what degree the main characters Stanley and Blanche are strictly opposed to each other or may have something in common. I will also deal with the meaning of the ending concerning realism and illusion. Therefore, what will be discussed are the most striking antinomies and similes in the main characters’ attitudes. A general conclusion about the topic of symbolism in Tennessee Williams’ Streetcar will be given in the end.
To introduce the reader to the topic and also to justify my choice of symbols, a definition of the notion of symbolism will be given right at the beginning of this paper. This will be done by including different approaches, so that a broader definition can be given. Furthermore, for this paper is based on symbolism in Streetcar by Tennessee Williams, it may also be very interesting for the reader to have a look at Williams’ attitude towards symbols which will be done at the end of the second chapter.
One last point to mention in this introduction is that due to space restrictions not all symbols concerning the topic of illusion and realism can be discussed in this paper. Nevertheless, it is my aim to present the most striking ones.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Symbolism in Literature
• Symbols of Illusion and Realism in Streetcar
  • The Symbolism of Names
  • The Symbolism of Colours and Clothes
  • Symbolism of Music
  • Symbolism of Light
  • Symbolism of Rituals
• Antinomies and Similarities of Stanley and Blanche
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze the use of symbolism in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" to highlight the contrasting themes of illusion and realism in the play. It explores how Williams utilizes specific symbols, such as names, colors, clothes, light, music, and rituals, to portray the characters' struggles with these contrasting realities.

• The clash between illusion and reality in the characters' lives
• The use of symbolism to portray the characters' psychological states
• The contrasting personalities and attitudes of Stanley and Blanche
• The impact of societal expectations and gender roles on the characters
• The consequences of clinging to illusions in a harsh reality

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction establishes the context for the paper, outlining the significance of symbolism in Williams' work and the specific focus on "A Streetcar Named Desire." It introduces the concept of symbolism in literature, providing different perspectives and definitions.

The second chapter dives deeper into the symbolism of names, exploring the meanings behind Blanche and Stanley's names and how they relate to their characters. It also discusses the symbolism of colors and clothes, highlighting how these elements contribute to the portrayal of illusion and realism.

The third chapter delves into the symbolism of music and light, analyzing how these elements are used to create specific moods and atmospheres in the play. It also examines the symbolism of rituals and how they contribute to the overall thematic concerns of the play.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include symbolism, illusion, realism, "A Streetcar Named Desire," Tennessee Williams, Blanche DuBois, Stanley Kowalski, names, colors, clothes, music, light, rituals, antinomies, similes, and societal expectations.

• College: RWTH Aachen University (Institut für Anglistik I)
• Course: Hauptseminar "American Drama"
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Ilona Sontag (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 19
• Catalog Number: V146515
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640559558
• ISBN (Book): 9783640559251
• Language: English
• Tags: Tennessee, Williams, Symbolism, Streetcar, Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche, Symbols, Tennessee Williams, Symbolismus, Stanley, Stella, Symbole, Farben, Illusion