Blanche's Downfall

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A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, is riddled with symbolism. They consist of masculinity, light, bathing, liquor, white, and much more. Each symbol can be interpreted with a profound underlying meaning. However, the most prominent symbol that drastically changed the play’s plot was the Varsouviana Polka. Ever since Allan’s death, it has caused a ripple effect on Blanche’s state of mind. Through the art of symbols, Williams narrated the tragedy of Blanche’s downward spiral into the internal abyss by using polka music. Blanche’s desire to remain in her “make-believe” world caused her to lose her grasp on reality, and it became her ultimate demise. Tribulation after tribulation, madness was inevitable in any human beings, in this agonizing situation. What commenced Blanche Dubois’s mental decline was the death of her husband, Allan Grey. However, it was how he perished to be subjected. Like any other beginnings of a love story, Blanche and Allan fell in love too young, too hard, and too quickly, “like [one] suddenly …show more content…

Her fantasy world was under distress. “What ought to be truth” to Blanche was slowly dismembered through Stanley's investigation (Tennessee 117). And, of course after being informed, Mitch confronted her later the evening. Coincidentally, when she heard his voice, the polka stopped. Whenever the music stops, it signified that Blanche was back to her normal self. Her mind was void of Allan’s images. Mitch was what she desired. At the door, Blanche complained to Mitch not only about his “uncouth apparel” but also the “awful” polka tune that was caught in her head (Tennessee 113). This scene revealed that she was “continually prey to her memories of Alan. In short, this music torments her. [Polka] serves as a reminder of the past” and foreshadows Blanche’s grim future (Gpane). It is a fate where only she can

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