English Final Assessment

By
Pitchapa Prasetphan (May) 1207

Prompt: Analyse Tennessee Williams’s use of

symbolism to develop the principal themes in ASND.
 In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, the writer utilizes the

motifs of light and sound to reinforce the main protagonist's growing struggles with reality as a

consequence of her traumatic past and her conflict with Stanley and Mitch that leads to her tragic

demise. The ‘Varsouviana’ (music) reflects on her remosing past of her husband's death

associated with Stanley, who tries to tear off her illusion. In addition, ‘Darkness’ (lighting)

conveys how Blache stayed in the darkness to hide her harsh reality.

The author highlights the themes of death by using the Varsouviana polka. This music is

what we hear within Blanche’s mind when we hear the polka. When she memorizes her husband,

Allan Grey, and when she feels emotionally threatened, this memory worms its alternative to the

center of its consciousness and assists to illustrate her disintegrating sanity. “The music is in her

mind; She is drinking to escape it.” (Williams, p.122) The haunting Varsouviana polka causes

the insanity of Blanche as she wants to escape her past and reality; she has a weak state of mind;

the drug addiction to escapism is revealed. The polka and the moment polka evokes reflection of

the loss of innocence for Blanche. The incident that caused her mental collapse was the death of

the young husband Blanche loved dearly. Since then, whenever she panics, Blanche hears

Varsouviana and loses her hold on reality. Stanley calls on Blanche and tries to persuade

everyone that her appearance is entirely distinct from her true self. To make things look more

glamorous, Blanche attempts to cover everything up, but Stanley sees beyond the clothing, her

beauty, and age and has had enough of the lies. Therefore, the only path he can defeat Blanche

and regain his power is, thus, to beat her and physically triumph over her, which he finally does.

Ironically, however, it is the influence of Stanley and his actions on her mind that eventually

causes her to fall.

 The only thing beyond her authority was ‘darkness’ and she took all the beneficial

aspects from it. It was the only way to hide herself from Mitch. To hide the individual she really

was, Blanche put on a facade. “Her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light” (William, p.3).

This quote illustrates that Blanche is unwilling to show her true self, so she replaces reality with

illusion to hide in the dark. She wanted to go out at night with Mitch because she wanted her

presence to be masked. She was worried that he wouldn't want to be with her anymore if he

realized how old she looked under the light. To cover the bright light from the naked light bulb,

Blanche wraps up a paper lantern, both because she wants to soften the physical light so that it

looks more beautiful, and also because she can have control over her flirtation with Mitch.

Blanche uses the paper lantern or stays in the dim light in front of Mitch to make herself appear

to be an innocent young woman. However, Blanche dislikes the uncovered light bulb or the

bright light because she finds it to be cheap or in bad taste.“He tears the paper lantern off the

light bulb. She utters a frightened gasp.” (William, p.126) This demonstrates a turning point in

the relationship that finally ended because Mitch never trusted her after that night. Therefore,

Mitch found out the truth about Blanche led to her mental decline.

The author develops the central ideas and themes through Blanche, by the usage of the

motifs of the song ‘Varsouviana’ (music) and ‘Darkness’ (lighting). Both background music and

lighting chiefly emphasize her traumatic past and how she wrestles with reality due to the

confrontation with Stanley and Mitch, which led her to mental deterioration. Eventually, the truth

will always be the truth, no matter how hard anyone tries to hide it, it will come out in the end

like Blanche who was alone forever.