Light imagery in streetcar
Transcript of Light imagery in streetcar
"I don’t think I ever seen you in the light. That’s a fact! You never want to go out in the afternoon. You never want to go out till after six and then it’s always some place that’s not lighted much. […] What it means is I’ve never had a real good look at you.” (Mitch)
Blanche equates darkness with lack of romance, civilisation and danger. Can you think of some examples from the play?
Why is it significant that Stanley smashes all the bulbs in the house when he and Stella first get together?
When Blanche reminisces about her husband’s fate, the Varsouviana polka plays and she is lit by a bright light. What might this symbolise?
WBlanche describes falling in love like this:
“You suddenly turned a blinding light on something that had always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me.”
Blanche describes the impact of her husband’s suicide like this:
“The searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one moment since has there been any light that’s stronger than this — kitchen — candle…"
So…hiding herself (and her past/pain) from the world AND blocking the world out by pretending it is not there, is an important coping mechanism for Blanche. REALITY VERSUS FANTASY.
THE SYMBOLS GAME…..GUESS WHO?
Guess the character based on the symbol shown before the clock runs out.