SETTING
STREETCAR- PRESENTATION
BROADER CONTEXT- NEW ORLEANS & ‘DEATH ALLEY’
·
New Orleans described to be Williams ‘Spiritual home’-
reflects how although the play is riddled with nostalgia for the Old South and
its large, pillared plantations, the bustling New America is where Williams
finds he is truly comfortable; possibly due to its more progressive nature both
economically and socially (his homosexuality is more likely to be accepted
·
The ‘Death Alley’ from his childhood was where dogs
would chase unsuspecting cats, in order to devour them- similar to Darwinism-
the somewhat brutal and primal experiences within the setting of his
development most likely inspired his relationship between Stanley and Blanche
·
New Orleans was filled with cultural diversity- shown
in the ‘Negro’ woman, Stanley’s Polish ancestry and Pablo- which starkly
contrasted with the white-washed community of the Old South- as Blanches
illusions rely upon the colour ‘’white’’ and a false sense of purity. Criticism
of the dated cultural divide found in the South- that progress lies in a
multi-ethnic community ‘’easy intermingling of races’’
·
‘’Blue’s’’ was prominent throughout the
industrialisation of New America- the constant background ‘’Blues piano’’
creates a much more atmospheric setting, adding to the dragging sense of
melancholy and stagnancy of the characters situation, as well as a sense of
impending misery and strife
ELYSIAN FIELDS
·
Theoretically- houses typically represent the
personalities and mentality of the people living in them and around them. ‘’White
frame’’ ‘’weathered’’ ‘’rickety’’- the colour of the houses represents Blanches
desperate attempt to hold onto a sense of purity, by surrounding herself in the
symbolism of it, as well as foreshadowing her fate to be taken to an asylum, as
the white walls of a state mental hospital are likely to have embedded
themselves in William’s mind (Roses lobotomy).
·
Supposed to represent Elysium- Greek heaven, place of
rest and blessing upon brave and heroic souls who had died in battle and were
seeking peace. Portrays how this place is Blanche’s last hope/place of refuge
from those who wish to ruin her. Ironically she is completely denied any sense
of peace or safety when she comes here- inversion is a cynical outlook upon
religion and its tendency to be exclusive to the ‘righteous’ and ‘pure’.
Blanche’s character may additionally be inspired by Mary Magdalene- former
prostitute who followed Jesus
APARTMENT
·
Cramped/small ‘’Two rooms can be seen’’ creates a
sense of entrapment. Reflects how Blanche and Stella are trapped- Blanche is
trapped by her ruined reputation, only escapes Stanley when she is taken to an
asylum. Stella is trapped and bound to the apartment by her responsibilities as
a wife and a mother- lured by the intriguingly different atmosphere of New
America and Stanley’s primal, brutal character; contrast to traditional
Southern gentility
·
The small size of the apartment creates a sense of
anxiety and building tension between the characters which cannot escape the
scene. Blanche creates a sense of escapism by claiming the bathroom- angering
Stanley as she manages to find a refuge from him. The building tension in the
apartment means the emotions and frustrations of the characters cannot escape,
in a sense suffocating and suppressing their character- which responds by being
driven via impulse and desire (ie Stanley)
·
Apartment is dark: Blanche wishes to avoid light to
conceal her truth and withhold a fragment of her illusion, ‘’I won’t be looked
at in this merciless glare’’- Stella and Stanley seek darkness as its cover
allows them to take advantage of their invisibility and engage in their primal
relationship, ‘’He smashed all the light bulbs with the heel of my slipper!’’
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