A Streetcar Named Desire

Symbolism is often used in literature to give seemingly meaningless things a deeper, more profound meaning.  In Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire, symbolism is one of the most frequently used literary elements.  One of the main characters in the play, Blanche Dubois, has several character traits that are symbolized by other things.  Williams uses symbolism to convey Blanche’s shallow and insecure character as well as the unhealthy ways she copes with her problems.

Blanche is a very fake character who only seems to care about status and her appearance.  This is evident when she speaks with Stella and says, “I brought nice clothes and I’ll wear them” (23).  Blanche obviously wants attention and she seems to think that the only way she will get it is if she dresses well.  She thinks people only like those of high class, so she feels that is how she needs to dress.  It is obvious that Blanche cares a lot about her appearance when Stanley goes through her trunk and says to Stella, “Look at these feathers and furs she come here to preen herself in!”  (35).  Stanley can tell that Blanche only cares about her looks just by looking at the kind of clothing she has.  He seems to be the only one who thinks she is crazy for not caring about much else.  Blanche only cares about looking and dressing like something she’s not, and Stanley is the only one who sees right through her.

Blanche has extreme problems with anxiety that she copes with in very unhealthy ways.  One way she deals with her problems is binge drinking.  This is shown when she first arrives at Stanley and Stella’s house and “she springs up and crosses to [a closet], and removes a whiskey bottle.  She pours a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down” (18).  She is obviously anxious for Stanley and Stella’s arrival home since they aren’t aware that she’s already arrived.  In an attempt to calm her nerves, she turns to alcohol.  Another way she copes with anxiety is by becoming physically sick.  This occurs when Stanley gives her a train ticket back home and “Blanche tries to smile.  Then she tries to laugh.  Then she gives both up and springs from the table and runs into the next room.  She clutches her throat and then runs into the bathroom” (111).  When Blanche doesn’t know how to deal with something emotionally, her body handles it physically.  She doesn’t seem to know any healthier ways to deal with her feelings of anxiety.

Blanche feels that since she couldn’t turn a gay man straight, she isn’t good enough, which has a devastating effect on her behavior.  She has extreme insecurities about her looks, which is evident when Mitch mentions that he has never seen her in direct light.  He tells her he is going to turn on the light and Blanche replies fearfully, “Light?  Which light?  What for?”  (116).  She is afraid that if Mitch sees her in the light, he will see all of her imperfections and he will not like her anymore.  The light symbolizes this insecurity that she has, which is why she tries to avoid it at all costs.  On top of her insecurities about her looks, Blanche also develops a very promiscuous behavior.  She doesn’t think it’s a big deal until Mitch confronts her: “Oh, I knew you weren’t sixteen anymore.  But I was a fool enough to believe you was straight” (117).  Until Mitch confronts her about her behavior, Blanche believes it is okay because it’s the only thing that makes her feel better about herself.  Since she couldn’t be enough for her gay ex-husband, she hopes she can be good enough for these other men.  Blanche’s evasive and promiscuous behavior are brought on by her not being good enough for her ex-husband.

Through Williams’ use of symbolism, Blanche’s shallow and insecure character becomes more defined, as do her unhealthy ways of dealing with her emotional issues.  Symbolism is one of the most profound literary devices an author can use to relate two seemingly different things to one another.