In the opening stage direction Williams illustrates the area around Elysian Fields. He uses personification to describe “the warm breath of the brown river” (P1) . I think this creates an atmosphere that is decaying yet at the same time welcoming and affectionate.
How does Williams use imagery?
William’s uses imagery and symbolism to great dramatic effect throughout the whole play, in dialogue and largely in stage directions, this gives the play a complex story, and when many hidden symbols and metaphors are discovered, opens many new aspects of the story.
How is imagery used in A Streetcar Named Desire?
Flower imagery is common in A Streetcar Named Desire. The flowers represent both youth and decay . In scene 3, Stella calls Blanche “fresh as a daisy,” to which Blanche responds she’s a daisy that’s been plucked a few days. In scene 9, Blanche hears a woman in the street selling flowers for the dead.
How does Williams establish the setting of Elysian Fields?
Williams describes Elysian Fields as “ poor ” (p. 3) and Blanche’s “appearance is incongruous to this setting” (p. 5) because she is well-dressed and appears to be rich with her “necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea” (p. 5).
What does Elysian Fields symbolize in A Streetcar Named Desire?
Elysian Fields is a melting pot of people, music, and temperaments. In the end, Elysian Fields symbolizes the realities of life (abuse, drunkenness, desire, and love) .
WHAT IS A Streetcar Named Desire a metaphor for?
Williams called the streetcar the “ideal metaphor for the human condition .” The play’s title refers not only to a real streetcar line in New Orleans but also symbolically to the power of desire as the driving force behind the characters’ actions.
What does the paper lantern symbolize in A Streetcar Named Desire?
In A Streetcar Named Desire, a Chinese paper lantern is used to symbolize a main character’s own insecurities . ... The paper lantern is an important symbol of Blanche because it simplifies all of her imperfections onto, literally, a piece of paper.
Why is Blanche afraid of light?
Blanche constantly avoids light because she is concerned with how others view her. Her fear of exposing her face metaphorically represents her manipulative tendencies and delusion. Tennessee Williams uses this motif to advance the story while further establishing Blanche’s character.
How does animal imagery characterize streetcar characters?
Negative animal imagery is used to describe the men throughout the play. Mitch’s clumsy attempt to waltz with Blanche is likened to a bear’s movement . ... In fact, Stanley is portrayed as an animal hunting his prey, as he seeks to destroy Blanche. His bestial instinct is just below the surface throughout the play.
What literary devices are used in A Streetcar Named Desire?
- Foreshadowing. In Scene One, Blanche takes a streetcar named Desire through Cemeteries to reach Elysian Fields, where Stella and Stanley live. ...
- Symbolism. Blue Piano = sex, lust, animal desire. ...
- Irony. ...
- Enjambement. ...
- Lateral Consonance. ...
- Dysphemism.
Why is it called Elysian Fields?
Elysian Fields, the Kowalskis’ street, is named for the land of the dead in Greek mythology . The street name is both a literal street in New Orleans and a symbolic resting place. It foreshadows Blanche’s looming fate.
What does the name Belle Reve mean?
Answer and Explanation: The family home that Blanche had to leave behind is called Belle Reve, which is French for ‘ sweet dreams .
How is the neighborhood’s name Elysian Fields ironic?
Elysian Fields is the name of the street on which Stanley Kowalski lives with Stella and Blanche DuBois takes a streetcar named Desire and then a streetcar named Cemeteries to reach Elysian Fields; the name is because of mythology and was the place that heroes rest when they die; this is ironic because Blanche ...
What is the main message of A Streetcar Named Desire?
A Streetcar Named Desire presents a sharp critique of the way the institutions and attitudes of postwar America placed restrictions on women’s lives . Williams uses Blanche’s and Stella’s dependence on men to expose and critique the treatment of women during the transition from the old to the new South.
What is the moral of A Streetcar Named Desire?
Various moral and ethical lessons arise in this play such as: Lying ultimately gets you nowhere, Abuse is never good, Treat people how you want to be treated, Stay true to yourself and Don’t judge a book by its cover. A very important moral lesson that I gained from A Streetcar Named Desire is to always tell the truth .
Why is Stanley so concerned about Belle Reve?
Stanley is more interested in the bill of sale from Belle Reve. Stella’s mention of the loss of Belle Reve seems to convince Stanley that Blanche’s emotional frailty is an act contrived to hide theft . He thinks Blanche has swindled Stella out of her rightful share of the estate, which means that he has been swindled.
