Symbolism of the Lantern in William´s A Streetcar Named Desire

In Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, he uses a Chinese paper lantern to symbolize Blanche’s own insecurities. Some would say that the lantern is just used as a prop but in actuality it is a reflection of how Blanche feels about herself. The lantern is used to cover up something that is not so appealing just as Blanche uses clothes and other frivolous things to mask herself. Blanche takes all of her insecurities and buries them underneath her cheap fashion and lies so she may seem more desirable to others. The Chinese paper lantern serves as an important symbol of Blanche because it puts her insecurities onto, quite literally, a piece of paper. All the light bulb needed to look more attractive was the paper lantern and “lo and behold the place has turned into Egypt,” (Williams 96). With this quote, Stanley supports the symbolism of the lantern because it directly relates to that of Blanche and how she is always trying to hide herself from everyone. Blanche would prefer to be seen as something that she is not just to please others, and if she must lie to do that then she is more than willing to do so. The Chinese paper lantern enters the play as a simple prop but throughout the play becomes one of the most important symbolic elements in A Streetcar Named Desire.

A lantern is usually a case that is made out of plastic, glass or paper and is used to protect a light. With Blanche however, she purchases a paper lantern which are normally very cheap, collapsible and come in a variety of colors. Blanche bought the lantern because she, “can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more that I can a rude remark or vulgar action,” (Williams 37). The lantern Blanche purchased symbolizes the idea that she is able to cover up anything and make it see...

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...he person truly is and masks their true self. Stanley would rather the naked bulb, but Blanche is just the complete opposite. Blanche hoped that her belongings and her cover ups would impress Stanley and his wife and all they did was crumble all around her leaving her alone and weak.

The Chinese paper lantern seemed as just a prop but played an important role in the symbolism between it and Blanche. Just as the lantern is very fragile, Blanche is the same and the only way she believes that she is able to protect herself is by covering herself up. Blanche kept herself trapped inside a beautiful façade but in actuality all it was, was a flimsy, battered, cheap paper sack that was stripped off by the man who can see who she really is. In the end, Blanche could not stop the paper lantern from being removed and was ultimately left alone and helpless to be her true self.