Coexisting Principles of Belief and Self-Acceptance
Belief has always been a something in our human history that guides us to a certain extent of who we are. Whether we make these ideas up ourselves or believe the reality, we are shaped by these decisions. In Tennessee Williams’ play, A Streetcar Named Desire, we are introduced to a variety of characters that help to progress the main theme that he is trying to convey. Through character developments seen in Blanche and Stanley along with other characters as well as the usage of motifs and symbols, Williams’ demonstrates that dreams and reality can both exist but just not coexist and that we must accept ourselves for who we are in this case. A majority of the play centers around Blanche and …show more content…
The reoccurring symbol and motif of light and dark seen by shadows is essential towards the development in the theme and gives context to a majority of the play. Throughout the play, light and dark is represented in the terms of truths and lies that are held within the aspects of both Blanche and Stanley. The light can be compared to that of Stanley because it is used as realism that illuminates and shines into other characters and symbolizes the truth as well as the eventual self-destruction of Blanche when Stanley gets the message through to her. When Stanley and Blanche have an argument with each other, he states that “there isn’t a goddam thing but imagination” (158; sc. 10) and that they’re all “lies and conceit tricks” (158; sc. 10). This illustrates that Stanley knows that Blanche is attempting to alter reality and everything around her but Stanley just can’t get it through to her even though he’s been onto her from the start by knowing her intentions. He eventually puts an end to Blanche’s behavior and symbolizes her defeat after Stanley “crosses to dressing table and seizes the paper lantern, tearing it off the light bulb, and extends it towards her.” (176; sc. 11). This completely symbolizes how Stanley works off the dreams employed by Blanche completely as the light that he put up to her is her waking up to a new reality that she never experienced. Stanley eventually breaks through both of their barriers in the darkness through his actions of light and
Belief has always been a something in our human history that guides us to a certain extent of who we are. Whether we make these ideas up ourselves or believe the reality, we are shaped by these decisions. In Tennessee Williams’ play, A Streetcar Named Desire, we are introduced to a variety of characters that help to progress the main theme that he is trying to convey. Through character developments seen in Blanche and Stanley along with other characters as well as the usage of motifs and symbols, Williams’ demonstrates that dreams and reality can both exist but just not coexist and that we must accept ourselves for who we are in this case. A majority of the play centers around Blanche and …show more content…
The reoccurring symbol and motif of light and dark seen by shadows is essential towards the development in the theme and gives context to a majority of the play. Throughout the play, light and dark is represented in the terms of truths and lies that are held within the aspects of both Blanche and Stanley. The light can be compared to that of Stanley because it is used as realism that illuminates and shines into other characters and symbolizes the truth as well as the eventual self-destruction of Blanche when Stanley gets the message through to her. When Stanley and Blanche have an argument with each other, he states that “there isn’t a goddam thing but imagination” (158; sc. 10) and that they’re all “lies and conceit tricks” (158; sc. 10). This illustrates that Stanley knows that Blanche is attempting to alter reality and everything around her but Stanley just can’t get it through to her even though he’s been onto her from the start by knowing her intentions. He eventually puts an end to Blanche’s behavior and symbolizes her defeat after Stanley “crosses to dressing table and seizes the paper lantern, tearing it off the light bulb, and extends it towards her.” (176; sc. 11). This completely symbolizes how Stanley works off the dreams employed by Blanche completely as the light that he put up to her is her waking up to a new reality that she never experienced. Stanley eventually breaks through both of their barriers in the darkness through his actions of light and