Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire: Symbolism and Myth
Tennessee Williams’ “Plastic Theater” in *A Streetcar Named Desire*
Tennessee Williams names his theater the “Plastic Theater”, a term used to refer to a kind of theater that depicts life itself but with new, special techniques. In certain stage directions of the play, the author introduces some kinesic elements that symbolize the psychological state of the characters. Some of these are the Varsouviana music, lights, and shadows. The former sounds in Blanche’s head every time someone asks something about her resigned past. She is the only one who can listen to this song. The latter are used by Blanche to conceal her actual age. A key scene to exemplify this is the one in which Mitch finds out how old Blanche is and asks her to switch on the lights, as he had never contemplated her in a bright place. Blanche begins screaming as the Varsouviana music plays in her head and the lights turn on, thus providing us with her real age and hence her mental state.
Furthermore, Williams’ preference for poetic language is appreciated in the play. For example, just after Blanche has alighted from the streetcar and has arrived at that place, the river is said to smell like “bananas and coffee”. The play also uses elements that denote escapism and fantasy. For example:
- Blanche’s long baths are utilized to purify herself.
- The copious amounts of alcohol she drinks in the play are used to evade reality.
In short, Williams combines both realistic and impressionist techniques to write the play.
Mythological References: Dionysus vs. the King of Thebes
The mythological references are of the utmost importance when it comes to the confrontation and climax of the relationship between Stanley and Blanche. The author inspired himself by the tale that traces the fight between Dionysus and the King of Thebes, represented by Stanley and Blanche respectively. The myth tells the story of when the King of Thebes tries to usurp and encroach on Dionysus’ festivities. Towards the end of the story, Dionysus manages to defeat the King of Thebes.
Tension builds up as Stanley learns that Blanche is no longer in possession of Belle Reve (a mythological element, meaning *beautiful dream*). They also attack each other, often claiming what belongs to them, as can be seen in the scene in which Stanley orders Stella to switch off the radio. Stella obeys blindly, but Blanche dares to break one of Stanley’s orders and turns on the radio again. No sooner does Stanley consider Blanche a liar than he resolves to unmask her. At the end, Stanley figures out she lies about her past and gets rid of her.
Mythological Symbolism in Character Descriptions
The mythological references are also reflected in the descriptions of the characters. For instance, Stanley, representative of Dionysus, the god of fertility and wine, is described as a “seed-bearer”, thus symbolizing his fertility. Scenes like the one in which Stella ensures that she feels bewildered after sleeping with Stanley or the scene in which he hits Stella when he is drunk show us more characteristics of the mythological god.
Astrological References in *A Streetcar Named Desire*
On one occasion, Blanche asks Stanley to reveal which sign he was born under (Capricorn). Moreover, Blanche’s sign is also representative (Virgo). This detail reveals one of the animals associated with the divinity (goat). Blanche also refers to the Pleiades, the seven sisters, an astrological constellation known as the Lyre of Orpheus. The place where the play takes place is called “Elysian Fields” and refers to the place where immortal divinities and heroes lived.