A Streetcar Named Desire Play Analysis

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

family. Blanche says “I,I,I took blows to my face and my body! All of those deaths! The long parade to the graveyard!...” (page 21-22). After Blanche fully expresses herself about Belle Reve, Stella cries because Blanche tried to make her feel guilty for leaving and for leaving Blanche there to experience tragedy. This shows that the “blue piano” is a symbolism for depression. We see that is also a symbolism for loneliness. After Stanley tells Blanche that Stella is going to have a baby, the music sounds louder (page 44). Blanche reacts dreamily because she knows she will never have that type of presence in her life. Although Blanche show her excitement toward Blanche (page 45), deep inside she feels like an outsider. The music is also a symbolism for hope. The music is heard after Blanche’s conversation with the boy because Blanche feels hopeful she can find love and not feel lonely anymore. She says, “it would have been nice to keep you (page 99)” indicating she’s remaining positive even after the man left. She shows this positivity when Mitch shows up to her house with a bunch of roses. Calling him her “Rosenkavalier (page 99)”. The “Blue Piano” was very effective because to display Blanche’s desire for companionship.

The “Varsouviana Polka” is used to display tragedy and disaster.

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

reality.

The music showed Tennessee Williams’ brilliant of plastic theater through the play. The use of the “Blue Piano” and the

“Varsouviana Polka” played a very important role in the play by foreshadowing events later on in the play. This play showed the beauty

of plastic theater in every way possible, especially with the music.