A Streetcar named Desire Symbolism Ian Yule

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 1. The games people play – “cards on the table” 2. 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