A Streetcar named Desire was written in 1947 and was probably one of Tennessee Williams′ most successful plays. In all of his plays, he makes explicit use of symbols as a dramatic technique. He once said that symbolism is, "say(ing) a thing more directly and simply and beautifully than it could be said in words…sometimes it would take page after tedious page of exposition to put across and idea that can be said with an object or a gesture on the lighted page" (Jackson 26).
In this paper, some of the symbols used by Tennessee Williams shall be discussed. Since he makes excessive use of symbolism only the major ones shall be dealt with, but it shall be added that the distinction between major or minor importance lies in the perception of the author of this paper. The order of the symbols in this paper is not identical with the order of appearance in the play.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Symbolism
- 3. The names' symbolic meaning
- 3.1. Blanche DuBois
- 3.2. Stella
- 3.3. Belle Reve
- 3.4. Desire, Cemeteries and Elysian Fields
- 4. The light as a symbol for truth and reality
- 4.1. Blanche's aversion of light
- 4.2. Stanley's affection for light
- 5. The use of color symbolism
- 5.1. Blanche's symbolic colours
- 5.2. Stanley and his friends
- 6. Music as a symbol for emotions
- 6.1. The blue piano
- 6.2. The Varsouviana Polka
- 7. Animalistic images
- 7.1. Blanche's connection to the moth
- 7.2. Stanley and his wild image
- 8. Conclusion
- 9. Works Cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the symbolic devices employed by Tennessee Williams in his play, *A Streetcar Named Desire*. The objective is to analyze the major symbols and their contribution to the play's overall meaning and atmosphere. The analysis focuses on how these symbols reveal character traits, enhance thematic development, and create a rich and layered interpretation of the story. * The symbolic meaning of names, particularly Blanche DuBois. * The use of light and darkness to represent truth and illusion. * Color symbolism to portray character and mood. * The role of music in evoking emotions and foreshadowing events. * The use of animalistic imagery to highlight character traits and relationships.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of symbolic devices in Tennessee Williams' *A Streetcar Named Desire*. It highlights Williams' prolific use of symbolism as a dramatic technique, emphasizing its ability to convey complex ideas more effectively than lengthy exposition. The chapter establishes the scope of the paper, focusing on major symbols as perceived by the author, acknowledging the subjective nature of such a distinction. It also notes that the order of symbol analysis will deviate from their order of appearance in the play. 2. Symbolism: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation for understanding symbolism in literature. It defines a symbol as something that represents itself while also standing for something else, emphasizing the duality of literal and suggestive meaning within a symbol. Two types of symbols are introduced: those with universal meanings and those that derive meaning from their usage within a specific work. The concepts of "pictura" (the literal image) and "subscriptio" (the symbolic reflection) are introduced as two levels of meaning inherent in a symbol. This groundwork is crucial for understanding the subsequent analyses of specific symbols in the play. 3. The names' symbolic meaning: This chapter delves into the symbolic significance of character names, beginning with Blanche DuBois. It meticulously unpacks the meanings of "Blanche" (white or fair) and "DuBois" (made of wood), revealing the irony in the juxtaposition of Blanche's name with her actual character. While her name suggests innocence and purity, the analysis reveals the discrepancies between this image and her deceitful, self-destructive behavior. The chapter further explores the contrast between her fragile nature and the "hard wood" aspect of her last name, suggesting a connection to her wild past and the difficulty of penetrating her deceptive exterior.Keywords
A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams, Symbolism, Blanche DuBois, Character Analysis, Dramatic Technique, Light and Darkness, Color Symbolism, Music, Animal Imagery, Illusion vs. Reality, Southern Gothic.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Streetcar Named Desire - Symbolism Analysis
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper analyzing the symbolism in Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on several key symbolic themes in "A Streetcar Named Desire," including the symbolic meaning of names (especially Blanche DuBois), the use of light and darkness to represent truth and illusion, color symbolism to portray character and mood, the role of music in evoking emotions and foreshadowing events, and the use of animalistic imagery to highlight character traits and relationships.
What specific symbols are analyzed in the paper?
The paper delves into the symbolic meaning of names like Blanche DuBois, Stella, and Belle Reve. It also examines the symbolism of light and darkness, specific colors, the use of music (particularly the blue piano and the Varsouviana Polka), and animalistic imagery connected to characters like Blanche (the moth) and Stanley (his wild image).
How is symbolism defined and approached in this analysis?
The analysis establishes a theoretical foundation for understanding symbolism, defining a symbol as something that represents itself while also standing for something else. It distinguishes between symbols with universal meanings and those specific to the play. The concepts of "pictura" (literal image) and "subscriptio" (symbolic reflection) are used to interpret the dual levels of meaning within symbols.
What is the significance of Blanche DuBois' name?
The analysis explores the irony in Blanche DuBois' name, contrasting the meaning of "Blanche" (white or fair) and "DuBois" (made of wood) with her actual character. The juxtaposition reveals the discrepancy between her outward appearance of innocence and her deceitful and self-destructive behavior.
What is covered in the introductory chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, highlighting Williams' prolific use of symbolism as a dramatic technique and outlining the scope of the paper. It emphasizes the subjective nature of interpreting symbols and notes that the order of analysis deviates from the symbols' order of appearance in the play.
What is discussed in the chapter on the use of light and darkness?
This chapter explores how light and darkness are used to represent truth and illusion. It contrasts Blanche's aversion to light with Stanley's affection for it, analyzing how this symbolism reveals aspects of their characters and their differing perspectives on reality.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords include: A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams, Symbolism, Blanche DuBois, Character Analysis, Dramatic Technique, Light and Darkness, Color Symbolism, Music, Animal Imagery, Illusion vs. Reality, Southern Gothic.
What is the conclusion's purpose?
The conclusion (Chapter 8) summarizes the findings of the analysis and offers a final interpretation of the symbolic devices' contribution to the play's overall meaning and impact.
- Quote paper
- Kerstin Müller (Author), 2001, Symbolic devices in A Streetcar named Desire, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/8331
