A Streetcar Named Desire Play Analysis

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Tennessee Williams has mastered the idea of plastic theater throughout the plays he was written and “A Streetcar Named Desire” is no different. He incorporates many elements of plastic theater throughout this play to take you through a journey unlike any other. One of the main elements of plastic theater that is heavily used is the music. The music plays a vital role in this play in setting the moods for each scene. The “Blue Piano” and The “Varsouviana Polka” are prime examples for playing major roles in the scenes Williams used them in. When the plays begins, we are introduced to the “Blue Piano”. It represents the spirit of life (page 3) in the setting. We see the music have a great impact during Stella’s and Blanche’s conversation about Belle Reve. When the music gets louder, the conversation intensifies after Stella asks what happened to Belle Reve, causing Blanche to show her sadness to the fullest about losing Belle Reve and experiencing the deaths in the …show more content…

After Stanley asks about Blanche’s husband, the music comes on. Blanche says he died when she was young and after Stanley asks what happened, she turns into an emotional wreck (“I’m going to be sick! (page 28)). While Blanche tells Mitch about the death of her husband, the music comes on and Blanche remembers the dance she did with him. This song reminds her of the gunshot she heard when he shot himself (“A few moments later - a shot” (page 115)). This causes Mitch to be very remorseful toward her and then kiss Blanche. The music was essential bringing Mitch closer to Blanche. We see the music being played after Blanche finds out Stanley’s birthday gift to her. This also predicts disaster by causing Blanche to cry and for Stanley and Stella to have an argument about Blanche ruining their marriage. This show Williams used this music for tragedy and to predict disaster. The music was very effective in showing Blanche’s loss of

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