1. Symbolism within A Streetcar Named Desire By Saji Sultan

2. Symbolic Belle Reve: Name of Blanche's family home in Mississippi. It represents the "beautiful dream" ( the translation of Belle Reve)that Blanche seeks but never experiences. Eylsian Fields: This is ironic as Blanche is seeking refuge and is expecting a paradise but in reality it’s a rundown and poor. This is sign from the beginning that her stay will not be a good one. The streetcar also symbolises the uncontrollable journey of desire Blanche has taken through most of her life into one of total disaster- the rape and the asylum.

3. The Lantern and the light bulb The lantern is used to cover the light which Blanche is always hiding from and also the past which Blanche is trying to keep hidden away. The tearing down of the lantern represents how Blanche has been found out for her lying about her age, past partners and about the true nature of her departure from teaching. The light bulb is reality which Blanche can not cope with and therefore she tries to hide and shield herself from bright them whenever she can. Blanche can handle her ageing and fading beauty so she feels is she is exposed to light she will be seen for who she really is, a liar. Which Blanche feels will stop her gaining a man and above all security.

4. The coloured lights Scene Eight Stanley- “having them coloured lights going!” Stanley is using imagery to show how his relationship with Stella has always been sexual and this is the only way apart from getting angry Stanley has of expressing himself and connecting with Stella.

5. Blanches bathing Throughout, Blanche bathes herself to an obsessive degree. Her sexual experiences have made her a hysterical woman, but these baths, as she says, calm her nerves. But in actual fact she is trying to cleanse herself of her past sexual encounters.

6. The Polka Music. Blanche is aware that to hear the music is strange and knows that it will fade eventually. The polka and the moment it evokes represent Blanche’s loss of innocence. The suicide of the young husband Blanche loved dearly was the event that triggered her mental decline. Since then, Blanche hears the Varsouviana whenever she panics and loses her grip on reality.

7. Alcohol Blanche’s drinking is anti-social, and she tries to keep it a secret. She drinks on the sly in order to withdraw from harsh reality. A state of drunken stupor enables her to take a flight of imagination such has with Shep Huntleigh. Blanches drinking leads to destructive behaviour and alcohol augments Blanche’s gradual departure from sanity.