S5 Higher

The use of a physical object or entity which is actually in the text to convey an idea or concept:  What happens to the object represents  What happens to the idea

This is different than a metaphor, which is comparison to something which isn’t really there: e.g. You are the light of my life (no real light) Metaphor There’s never been anything stronger than this kitchen candle (there is an actual candle) Symbolism

Bathing Lights The streetcar

Blanche feels dirty because of her past misdemeanours, sins and lies So, when she is persistently bathing, this means:

1. “And turn that over-light off! I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare!” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

2. Blanche stands in her underwear in the light coming through the portieres. When she is told, she moves, saying “Oh, am I?” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

3. “Why, on our wedding night – he snatched off one of my slippers and rushed about the place smashing all the lightbulbs with it” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

4. “He tears the paper lantern off the lightbulb. He turns the light on and stares at her. She cries out and covers her face” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

5. “You come in here and sprinkle the place with powder and spray perfume and cover the lightbulb with a paper lantern, and lo and behold... You are the Queen of the Nile!” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

6. “You left nothing here but spilt talcum and old empty perfume bottles – unless it’s the paper lantern you want to take with you. You want the lantern?” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

7. “They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and get off at – Elysian Fields!” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

8. “What you are talking about is brutal desire – the name of that rattletrap streetcar than bangs through the Quarter…” 1. Context: 2. Scene: 3. Who says it: 4. Symbol: 5. Symbolic of:

Critical Essay Task Choose a play in which symbolism is important in conveying the central concerns of the text. By referring to the use of one or more symbol, show how its use helps you to understand the central concerns of the play. Would you do:  Bathing  Light  Streetcar? What central concern would you link it to? What other moments in the play could you link it to?

Alternative Critical Essay Task Choose a play in which there is an object or device which is important for you to understand a key idea in the text. Through detailed reference to the text, explain how this object relates to a key idea.

Alternative Critical Essay Task Choose a play in which there is an object or device which is important for you to understand a key idea in the text. Through detailed reference to the text, explain how this object relates to a key idea. Light  When does B avoid light / conceal it with a lightshade?  What does she say?  What do others say / do to conceal light?  What is she really concealing? How do you know? (References from elsewhere?)  When is the light revealed?  What does she say / how does she react?  What is really being revealed? How do you know? (References from elsewhere?)

In “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, a lightbulb and shade is used at several points during the play to convey the central idea of truth and concealing the truth. Development of illusion Sc 1 B to St “I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare!” – insists on illusion and concealment from start. Sc 3: putting Chinese lantern over the bare lightbulb – flirtation - B presenting hs as delicate (illusion) – “I can’t stand a naked lightbulb …” But truth comes out when she stands in the light Sc 4 – 8 is the development and destruction of illusion. B gets to know Mitch and he sees her as she wants to be seen (illusion) BUT also admits to “intimacies with strangers” (truth) and Stan deliberately destroys the illusion and reveals truth (Sc 7/8 birthday) Destruction of illusion Sc 9: Mitch rips the lantern off the bulb and insists on seeing B in the light – reveals truth about her age and past – angry. B runs away from light. Dramatic scene – tragic for B. Faces truth Sc 11: Tragic conclusion. Stan taunts Blanche with the lantern – seizes it / tearing it – emphasising the fact that the illusion is gone and truth is being brutally revealed.