streetcar MOTIFS Flashcards
(14 cards)
What does Blanche try to avoid and why?
Blanche tries to avoid light because it exposes her flaws and the truth about her age.
This avoidance symbolizes her fear of confronting her past and aging appearance.
What does the motif of light and darkness represent in A Streetcar Named Desire?
The motif represents the conflict between truth and illusion, and Blanche’s fear of revealing her true self.
Light symbolizes truth, while darkness represents Blanche’s attempts to hide from reality.
How does Blanche’s fear of light manifest in her behavior?
Blanche avoids bright light, insisting on dim lighting to cover her aging appearance and hide her emotional scars.
She famously states, ‘I don’t want realism. I want magic!’
What role does Stanley play in relation to Blanche’s illusions?
Stanley exposes Blanche’s lies and secrets, often in harsh, revealing moments.
His actions, like tearing away the paper lantern, symbolize his confrontation with the truth.
What does the polka music symbolize in the play?
The polka music symbolizes Blanche’s mental state and the trauma of her past, particularly her guilt over her husband’s death.
The music often recurs during her emotional distress.
How does Blanche use music in her life?
Blanche uses music as a form of escapism, trying to romanticize her reality and temporarily drown out her pain.
However, it also highlights the tragic tension in her life.
What is the significance of Blanche’s bathing rituals?
Blanche’s bathing rituals represent her attempts at purification and escape from her painful past.
The baths symbolize her desire to cleanse herself of guilt and shame.
What does the paper lantern symbolize in the play?
The paper lantern symbolizes Blanche’s attempt to conceal the truth about her appearance and age.
It softens the light, making her appear more youthful and desirable.
What does Stanley’s destruction of the paper lantern represent?
Stanley’s destruction of the paper lantern symbolizes his rejection of Blanche’s illusions and the exposure of her harsh reality.
This act signifies the end of her romantic fantasy.
What does the poker game motif represent?
The poker game represents the battle for power between Stanley and Blanche, as well as underlying violence in their relationship.
It symbolizes Stanley’s dominance and authority over Blanche.
How does the streetcar motif relate to Blanche’s journey?
The streetcar represents Blanche’s journey driven by desire, symbolizing her longing for love and escape from trauma.
Her obsession with these desires leads to her tragic fate.
What does the streetcar symbolize in relation to Stanley?
The streetcar symbolizes Stanley’s grounded sense of reality and his practical desires.
His resistance to Blanche’s illusions highlights the clash between their worlds.
What are the main motifs in A Streetcar Named Desire?
The main motifs are:
* Light and Darkness
* Music and Sound
* The Bath
* The Paper Lantern
* The Poker Game
* The Streetcar (Desire)
These motifs deepen the exploration of themes such as illusion versus reality.
What central themes do the motifs in A Streetcar Named Desire explore?
The motifs explore themes of:
* Tension between illusion and reality
* Desire and repression
* Clash of different social and personal values
These themes enrich the characters’ emotional landscapes.
