Imagery and symbols Essay

Quotations from the text are in italics.A tramcar Named thirst is a undertake enriched with imagery and teeming of expressionism it shows the world through the characters emotions preferably than how they literally perceive it. Throughout this tend, Tennes cope with Williams uses various forms of imagery and symbolism to explicate and highlight estimations and moods. The play often uses symbols to accentuate the thoughts and emotions of the characters, and it is these expressionist elements that I pass on go on to discuss in this essay. In this piece of writing, I will not only look at the imagery utilize and the meaning behind it, I will similarly try to evaluate its role in the functioning of the play.The main motifs of symbolism used in this play areo Lighto Heato Musico Colouro Titles & Nameso turno Reference to animalsThe most signifi do-nothingt imagery in the play is the use of light and shade in the play. Light is, in legion(predicate) ways, a playwrights biggest asset light (or the lack t herefrom) clear denote tension, fear, and suspense and can be used to draw the audience, to cogitate their attention on a certain point. In A aerial tramway Named Desire, Tennes divulge Williams, while using it for all of the above minds, manipulates light in a unique way light is a physical scorespring of the justness. For this contend, Blanche hates light, she is afraid it will destroy her illusions I dont deficiency trueism.By looking at light as synonymous with truth we can see her aversion to light stems from her disposition for magic (Ill tell you what I want. Magic). Blanches disgust at cutting light medulla (I cant stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or vulgar action.) expresses her inability to face reality, and so she puts a paper lantern over the light the paper lantern which represents her illusions, and the faade she presents to the sculptural relief of the world. Stanley has no patience with her fantasi es, and so he tears the paper lantern off the light bulb. This action of his is a symbol for his revealing her true self. on that point is also a more apparent and less subtle reason for Blanches terror of light she wants is very subconscious most her age, and she has fears of existence scrutinised under the merciless grandeur of the light.Light also has other connotations in the play. For Blanche, it represents first complete. When she was very young the searchlight was switched on, and after Allans death it all of a sudden went off again, after which never for adept moment has there been a light stronger than the soft glow of a cd. Through this we can clear see that the tragic events of her past, and the loss of her first love, have led to Blanches fear and intense loathing of light she was dazzled by love early in life, and after Allans death, she avoided all light. For Blanche there is a difference between the soft shimmer of the candle, which she takes comfort in, and t he harsh glare of the light bulb.This leads to another, more obscure, connotation of light in the play. If the light bulb represents reality, then the candle represents hope. Blanche acknowledges that candles arent safe, and she associates the burning out of the candle with the loss of innocence, and after that happens, electric light bulbs go on and you see too plainly. Therefore, she associates light (reality) with the loos of innocence, specifically hers which was cruelly snatched away from her at Allans death. This fear of light/ reality portrays her inability to grasp anything real or solid, which is demonstrated when she gasps at her reflection in the mirror.As can be seen, the symbol of light has a major role in the play, and it is impossible to conceive how the play would even function without it. Therefore, we can see that, in the case of the motif of light, the imagery and symbolism cerebrate thereof is very important in the play.Another form of symbolism in the play, an d closely linked to light, is the mind of foment. This time, however, the imagery is just not related to Blanche, it relates to many of the main characters in the play. In A Streetcar named desire, heat represents different individuals response to their body image. Stanley is confident, assured about his image, full of power and pride, and his level of comfort with his physical image is the reason why he easily says, my clothesre sticking to me. He sums up his outlook on his self-image when he says Be comfortable is my maxim.In this play, heat is also used to accentuate the differences between the characters, and the differences between Mitch and Stanley are emphasised in this way. Stanley simply says Do you mind if I make myself comfortable, whereas Mitch says he is ashamed of the way he perspires. This computer address to heat by both characters shows us the difference between them. It also shows that, if Stanleys body image is bold, brash and confident, Mitchs is shy, clumsy and insecure.Blanches issue with her appearance has already been glimpsed in the previous section, through her try to conceal her age and wilting beauty. This can be discussed in great detail from the perspective of the motif of heat. Stella says that Blanche takes baths to cool down, which seems to directly relate to the motif heat. However, is that really why Blanche bathes so often?Some critics timbre that Blanches frequent bathing is a vent for her feelings of guilt over her stained past. Perhaps her frequent bathing is a settlement of her immersion with washing away sins and making a fresh start. She likes bathing because it makes her feel like a brand new mankind organism. However, I disagree with this interpretation, as Blanche herself does not feel she has done anything vituperate I dont tell the truth, I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that is sinful, let me be damned for it Therefore, it is unlikely that her bathing is a result of her guilt.In my opinion, h er frequent bathing is a result of her insecurity about her age and appearance. She herself states that the baths are a form of hydrotherapy it assuages her fears of her tarnishing beauty.Overall, although the symbol of heat is not as major or well-developed a theme as light, it enriches the play and adds many nuances to the personalities of the characters.Names and ennobles are also used symbolically in this play. One critic has said that Essentially this is a play about Desire and Death and the effect these have on the human soul. From this, and indeed simply from the title, we can see that Desire is an important theme. This theme is portrayed through the imagery of A streetcar named Desire. In his own life in New Orleans, Williams observed two streetcars (trams), one named desire, the other called cemetery.As he observed their movement, he was impressed by the symbolism of this and their relevance to life in general. In A Streetcar Named Desire, Desire and Cemetery are two journ eys we make in life one towards our desires, our hopes, dreams and ambitions, and another toward the cemetery, through death (they told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemetery. These streetcar titles are oddly relevant to Blanche and her past life. She has travelled on Desire to get here it is because of her lustful desires that she is in a position wherein she has to come to Elysian field to live with her sister.Other names and titles also hold significance in this play. Elysian palm is a name that brings an image of peace and tranquillity, which is a definite contrast to the violent actions of the habitants of Elysian Fields. Elysian Fields also indicates a resting place for the dead, and this once again reflects symbolically on the themes of Desire and Death. The last significant name in this play is the title of the plantation, Belle Reve. Earlier on I looked at hope from the point of overhear of Blanche, and we can see that Belle Reve is a personification of that hope, as Belle Reve means splendiferous dream. For Blanche, when she looses Belle Reve, she has fully lost all her hopes and dreams, and her journey of Desire begins to come to a halt, and her journey towards the Cemetery begins.In general, the symbolism of titles and names is essential to the theme of the play, and therefore holds a great deal of importance in this play.