The inability to overcome reality is shown through the character Blanche Dubois. She is constantly lying to herself and to the people around her because she knows she cannot survive reality. Light is symbolic throughout the play as Blanche tries to avoid direct light. Especially in front of Mitch because she rather convince him as oppose to herself that she is a pure and valuable women. She does this as way to prevent him from seeing her true self and believe she is less broken. After the death of her husband Allan Grey, the light has been missing. This explains why she covers all the uncovered light bulbs in Stella and Stanley's apartment and refuses to make appearance throughout the day. According to Scene 9, Mitch comes to terms with Blanche and her reality and points out her avoidance of the light. Once Mitch discovers Blanche's true self and true age, his views and feelings towards her do not change. The two of them are prime examples of a mutually dependent relationship in the sense where they both desire to love and to be loved by anyone truly. "I just want magic" as Blanche states, but in reality she does not want a relationship, more so likes the idea of being in one as a way to fill in the empty gap in her life. "You need somebody. And I need somebody too. Could it be you and me, Blanche?(Williams pg 6)." Mitch truly might be interested in Blanche but hypothetically, does Blanche feel the same way? Light represents the good times while muted light represents broken dreams and vulnerability and she cannot have that side violated. Yet, it does when Mitch brings it to reality.
In addition to light being symbolic throughout the play, bathing is also another example. Blanche bathes herself frequently as a way to forget the past. In other words, she is cleansing her soul and soothing her nerves. This is ongoing because she has not come to terms with her past and so the cleansing continues. "... into the kitchen to find Stella decorating for Blanche’s birthday. Blanche is taking yet another bath to soothe her nerves, which Stanley mocks… (Williams pg 7)." Ironically, Stanley is one to talk because he turned to showering after hitting Stella to soothe his frustration. Post shower and feeling apologetic, he screams "Hey stellaaaahhh!!" numerously(Scene 3). "Put him under the shower" as Mitch states, another way water is used so Stanley can sober up(Scene 3). The idea of using water as a mechanism for "washing away" ones bad deeds relates to the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. The scene where Lady Macbeth is trying to wash the blood off her hands after killing King Duncan. "A little water clears us of this deed(Shakespeare Scene 5)." Lastly, another symbol used in the play is the polka tune called The Varsouviana. Blanche and her husband, Allen Grey, were dancing to this when she last saw him. We know she walked in on him while he was in bed with another man and pretended that nothing had happened afterwards. Because in essence, she did not want to accept the truth her husband was homosexual . In the middle of the dance however , Blanche lashed out at Allen and when he left, he shot himself. The polka music is shown throughout A Streetcar Named Desire when Blanche thinks about Allen’s death. In Scene One, when Stanley meets Blanche and asks her about her husband and secondly when Blanche tells Mitch the story of Allen. From this point on, the polka music increases often, and it always takes Blanche to a time she wishes to forget."She sways and covers her face(Scene 6)." She states that it ends only after she hears the sound of a gunshot in her head. Once the Varsouviana comes to mind, it causes Blanche to re-live her loss of innocence and the person she use to be. More so she panics and loses a sense of reality.
As an audience, we notice that Blanche has self preservation and must maintain her dignity even if it is a lie. She has desire to tell the truth as a way to gain respect. In addition to being imperative for self survival and the human condition. The light cannot lie or hide but can make us feel vulnerable. Which is the reason why Blanche only makes an appearance and plans in dim light as oppose to bright light. The appearance that is created, the external appearance, becomes manifested. Blanche is self conscious due to the fact she has a past and that’s why she comes off as innocent. Yet, she craves compliments and attention from others. Specifically men. What does it mean to be whole? We feel a sense of self that is secure. When we are fractured, some of that wholeness is broken. That sense of self becomes shattered in various parts. During this time, "broken dreams" is something no one wanted to deal with. In other words, one cannot survive this time period when you are incomplete, afraid, or fractured. One should speak freely with confidence. Euphoria can be achieved when you express feelings and create what you desires. This holds true because your mentality is your reality. However, when you have negativity weighing on your shoulders, it is easier said than done. Alison Malee once said, "Choose, everyday to forgive yourself. You are human, flawed and most of all worthy of love." Blanche was blinded by the fact and this explains why she was so desperate to marry and be with any man. Generally, the things you desire most in life come slow. One must remain patient because the best is yet to come.
As an audience, we notice that Blanche has self preservation and must maintain her dignity even if it is a lie. She has desire to tell the truth as a way to gain respect. In addition to being imperative for self survival and the human condition. The light cannot lie or hide but can make us feel vulnerable. Which is the reason why Blanche only makes an appearance and plans in dim light as oppose to bright light. The appearance that is created, the external appearance, becomes manifested. Blanche is self conscious due to the fact she has a past and that’s why she comes off as innocent. Yet, she craves compliments and attention from others. Specifically men. What does it mean to be whole? We feel a sense of self that is secure. When we are fractured, some of that wholeness is broken. That sense of self becomes shattered in various parts. During this time, "broken dreams" is something no one wanted to deal with. In other words, one cannot survive this time period when you are incomplete, afraid, or fractured. One should speak freely with confidence. Euphoria can be achieved when you express feelings and create what you desires. This holds true because your mentality is your reality. However, when you have negativity weighing on your shoulders, it is easier said than done. Alison Malee once said, "Choose, everyday to forgive yourself. You are human, flawed and most of all worthy of love." Blanche was blinded by the fact and this explains why she was so desperate to marry and be with any man. Generally, the things you desire most in life come slow. One must remain patient because the best is yet to come.