1. A Streetcar named Desire
Symbolism
Ian Yule

2. 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

3. 2. The lantern and the lightbulb
The lightbulb – reality
The lantern – covering over it to cope – ‘magic’

4. 3. The moth Blanche’s fragility
Her attraction to danger and destruction

5. 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

6. 5. Blue Piano
Represents the life and vitality of the neighbourhood

7. 6. The Polka (Varasouviana)
Recalls the tragedy in Blanche’s past

8. 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

9. 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