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Meat

"It's Only a Paper Moon"

Alcohol

This is the song that Blanche sings when she is bathing. The lyrics of this song, "It's a Barnum and Bailey world, Just as phony as it could be, But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me," represent Blanche's life philosophy which is that though the life she creates for herself is a lie, it is the only way that she can survive such a cruel world.

Blanche is often seen drinking alcohol throughout the play. Alcohol represents Blanche's opportunity to escape her harsh reality and stay in her fantasy world.

Another symbol of the play is the meat that Stanley

heaves at Stella. “He heaves the package at her. She cries out in protest but, manages to catch it. Then laughs breathlessly.” The meat represents the physical relationship between Stella and Stanley. Stella laughing about a package of meat being thrown at her represents her yearning to having a physical relationship between her and Stanley. This demonstrates her realism as she recognizes the impossibility of a relationship based on love and as a result accepts one based on physical desire.

Conclusion

Bathing

Throughout the play, Tennessee Williams uses many symbols to portray the difference between dreamers and realists. While the realists accept their realities, dreamers hide from them by creating unrealistic fantasies.

Throughout the play, Blanche takes frequent and long baths to "calm her nerves". She uses bathing as an excuse to avoid facing her problems. Also, bathing represents a way to cleanse the sins of her past.

Light

Throughout the play, Blanche is only seen in dimly lit or dark places. She does this so she doesn't have to face the fact that her youthfulness is fading. She is almost scared of being seen in the light, especially around Mitch. Light also symbolizes Blanche's real past which she desperately wants to keep hidden in the shadows.

Symbolism in A Streetcar Named Desire

Jack Cooper, Judy Chen, Azende Davis, Mustafa Ebad, Nick Diamondis

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