A Streetcar Named Desire Light Analysis

Education is the process of receiving knowledge, which is gained through various ways, but the most popular way is through school. Usually in society school dedicates how much education is received and individuals are ranked within a society based on an understanding of the taught material. As McCandless said “You don't need to worry about me. I have a college education” (Krakauer 52). I would agree with that there is a difference between education and school because there are many other ways education can be gained other than going to an institution. However, school institutions provide the most basic and constant access to education to many. Education is earned through traveling the world and learning about other cultures or other forms of

languages which aren’t available through traditional institutions. Through school, I have become exposed to many interesting topics that were hidden before. My school has provided me with a safe and supportive environment to grow my talents. This year I have learned so much in school in my assigned courses but I have also learned about topics I’m interested in outside school. My education outside of school depends on my interest and not the guidelines of society. I further investigate about topics I’ve learned in school and also those that have attracted my curiosity. In school, I learned about the different aspects of Physics and when I went home, I dug deeper into Magnetism with no requirements from school. In his letter, Chris said, “You will see things and meet people and there is much to learn from them” (Krakauer 59). Into the Wild shows the difference between education and school the best. Chris McCandless is a good student who graduated from college with honors. However, he was still interested in knowing about himself so he set out into the wild with an effort of finding his individualism. Chris “seemed to have moved beyond his needs to assert so adamantly his autonomy, his need to separate himself from his parents” (Krakauer 167). Through my quest for education, I have learned new things about myself but also about the world I live in. I expect to continue pursuing formal education as well as an auxiliary one for my own benefit.
Part II
I believe throughout the year in English class my favorite type of assignments were the lengthy essays we had to write. I found it rewarding because it challenged me in many multiple ways that I was not used to. It required extreme diligence in the writing with many aspects such as word choice, grammar, spelling, punctuations, and style. In the essays, I was able to show that I was able to fully comprehend what we read in class and I was able to communicate it in an appropriate written manner. It also shows that I am able to critically read and identify the art of written works and hidden meaning behind the author’s mind and expressly convey it with my own artistic creativeness and word savviness. Through these essays, I have demonstrated determination, reliability, creativeness and perseverance as a character. I have always been and learned determination in making sure my essays were written to the best of my ability. My reliability has shown that I am able to turn in my work in a timely manner. However, sometimes I have lacked complete reliability due to circumstances beyond my power and some within mine. I never give excuses for these instances because it’s very important to take full responsibility for both my strengths and flaws. My creativeness has shown through my essays when I write with imagination and present my information in an expressive manner.
Part III
I find it difficult emphasizing with Blanche because of the decisions she made for herself during hard times. If she was as strong as she portrays to be, she should have been able to make the proper moral decision that would have changed her fate. At first, I thought Blanche was innocent and honest about her past but as the book went on, she implicated herself in more lies and fantasies of hers. She implicated herself when she said, “What telegram? No! No, after! As a matter of fact, the wire came just as—” (157) Blanche’s perspective of the world is one filled with predator men that prey on weak women. She also justifies her sins with the circumstances of her life such as losing all her family members which led to the eventual loss of Belle Reve, the death of her husband and the feeling of loneliness. She expressed this explicitly to Stella, “I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together…but all the burden descended on my shoulders” (20) Blanche has the ability to speak up against the predator men and even though she’s rarely honest about herself, she tells the truth about others around her. After her incident with Stanley in Scene 10, I began emphasizing with her because it shows that her perspective of men was true and she’s heavily affected by it. But also as the play went on, my empathy for her grew as I realized more of her circumstances. Even though her initial actions weren’t right, she was looking forward and trying to redeem herself with numerous metaphorical acts. She mentions often that, “A hot bath and a long cold drink alway gives me a brand new outlook on life!” (128). Because of her efforts to turn her life around, I see Blanche as a tragic hero, because regardless of her decisional and moral flaws, she tried to help others and herself have a new life.
Part IV
Light is one the most prominent symbol in A Streetcar Named Desire and it is used by Tennessee Williams to show the characters’ differences throughout the book.

It is significantly connected to Blanche’s personal image compared to the other characters. Light captures the theme of truth and reality through the book. Blanche hates being in the light because she is afraid it’s going to show her true age and she’s ashamed of her past. She uses the paper lantern to cover the bulb in her room. She never lets Mitch see her in the light in the beginning of the book by only agreeing to go out at night and only to poorly lit areas. Mitch expresses to her “I don’t think I ever seen you in the light… you never want to go out till after six and then it’s always some place that’s not lighted much” (Williams 143). Light also symbolizes love, both Stanley and Stella’s and Blanche’s also. Blanche uses light to describe important events in her life especially when she found out the truth about her spouse and then when she lost him to suicide. His death was the turning point of Blanche’s problem with light. She says to Mitch “And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off” (Williams 115). Bright lights represent the reality and full desires of the characters while dim ones represent fantasies and attempts to stay in the past. Stanley is also connected to the symbol which represents his reality and wishes. It shows when he mentions to Stella “I pulled you down off them columns and how you loved it, having them colored lights going!” (Williams 136). Stanley wants their love life can be reignited and his usage of light signifies his honest attitude. He lacks the fantastical attitude of Blanche but rather lives in reality. Stanley can also be symbolized by the naked bulb in their apartment. With the arrival Blanche, she tried to diminish his effect on Stella by metaphorically covering the bulb with a Chinese lantern. However, as the book went on and Blanche

became more exposed to the light and the reality, Stanley’s dominance gradually reasserted itself. Every character is somewhat affected by light throughout the book but Stanley and Blanche the most. Light conveys various themes but as a whole is one of the most important symbols in the book.
Part V
SCENE TWELVE
It’s been 5 years since Blanche left to the hospital. She has recovered immensely from her issues but still goes to therapy sessions. She now lives in Metairie near the New Orleans City Park. Stella and Stanley still live in their flat. However, it’s become more crowded especially with Samuel growing up now.
Blanche: [In an excited voice] I can’t wait to go to the park, it’s so peaceful over there, the sounds of the birds, the scent of the trees, oh Stella you can’t imagine.
Stella: [grunting] Yeah I could imagine… how wonderful it is. Now could you help me with my luggage?
Blanche: Me? Oh me? No Stella I can’t do such but I’ll have Mark help you.
Stella: Who’s Mark?
Blanche: He’s my helper. I’ll get him to get the carriage, it’s a long walk from here. [pressing the intercom button at the gate].
Stella: Blanche how could you afford all of this? This is magnificent.
Blanche: I’ll tell you later sister, you need to rest.
[Arriving in the carriage] Mark: Hello Mrs. Kowalski… I’ll take those, only these two?
Stella: Yes, why thank you.
Blanche: Mark will show you your room when we get there. You can meet me in the piano room when you’re done freshening up.
An hour later
Stella: Oh Blanche [shouting] We need to talk… Stanley has a message for you.
Blanche: Let’s talk about it on the way to the park, we need to get there before the sun’s down. You wouldn’t want to miss the last bit of light in the day.
Stella: Yeah I would love to see the sunset; it creates wonderful colors in the sky much like a rainbow.
Blanche: So what was it you wanted to tell me?
Stella: Well Stanley said I should tell you he couldn’t make it and he’s really sorry about it. He has a job interview to be an accountant, he’s been studying hard and learning all the basics. He said it’ll help us move out of the cramped house.
Blanche: Oh no don’t worry sister, at least it will be just you and me like the old times like back in Belle Reve, only now it’s in La Éclairee. So how long are you staying?
Stella: Just a couple of days, just came by to see how you were doing after Stanley sent you to that horrible place. As I can see you are a lot better now than before. Did it help you?
Blanche: Oh, I don’t like to talk about it. That’s the past and I’ve moved on. I’m living in the present now not the past. Look over there, a perfect bench with a perfect view of the sunset.
Stella: Yes, what a beautiful view.
Blanche: Mark, [as she looks over her shoulder] do you have the sandwiches?
Mark: Yes ma'am, right here. I have bologna, tuna, and turkey meats with different…
Blanche: … different ingredients, I know Mark. Now would you please make me, Stella and yourself mini-wiches before we enjoy the sight.
Mark: Coming up right away.
Stella: Did you hear Mitch’s mother passed away a month after you left the Quarter?
Blanche: Yes, Mitch sent me a post. I sent him flowers after I got out of… So how’s your boy?
Stella: He’s growing up strong, just like his father.
Blanche: Anything but his father! Forgive me, Stella, that’s wonderful is what I mean.
Stella: I’m sorry about the past.
Blanche: As Ralph Emerson said, “Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.”

END SCENE