Music and visual effects in A streetcar named Desire

Street Car Named Desire

The play a Street Car Named Desire is about the relationship between: Blanche, Stella and Stanley. Blanche is a southern belle, who is visiting her sister (Stella) and brother in law (Stanley) in New Orleans. Throughout the play, there is a conflict between Blanche and Stanley. This is because Stanley believes that Blanche is interfering in his relationship between Stella and himself. As he is emotionally and physically abusive, yet they are also dependent upon each other for support. The problem is that her presence is creating a situation which is highlighting the strains in this relationship. ("Street Car Named Desire")

However, Stanley finds out that Blanche was former teacher (from Laurel, Mississippi). The reason why she left is because: her husband was a homosexual; she had an affair with a 17-year-old student and was run out of Laurel. This is because he wants to get back at Blanche for interfering in his relationship with Stella. At the same time, he wishes to expose her as a fraud. During the final confrontation, is when Stanley has become violent with Blanche and rapes her. After this, is when Blanche has a nervous breakdown. It is at this point that the play ends and Blanche is committed to a mental institution. These elements are important, because they are showing the underlying conflicts that are occurring in the psychological states of the characters. The street car and its sounds are used to illustrate these changes in each person throughout the play. ("Street Car Named Desire")

What makes this such an interesting story is how Tennessee Williams is able to use: the music, sound and visual effects to highlight the underlying psychological states of the characters. This is accomplished by focusing on the actual street car that Blanche takes when she arrives in New Orleans. This is used to highlight her underlying psychological state by: the music, sound and image. As this is illustrating how is she escaping from issues of the past in Mississippi. At the same time, it is representing new opportunities and the chance to be able to start a new life by getting away from what happened. ("Street Car Named Desire")

However, for Stanley and Stella, the street care is a symbol of their current life. Where, Stanley is abusive and will often tell her what to do. The sound is illustrating Stanley's pushy personality. The sight is depicting their current relationship and how it is constantly changing. This takes place, once Blanche arrives and begins to question Stella as to why she is putting up with Stanley's abusive behavior. Over the course of time, this image is highlighting how there are changes in everyone's underlying mental state and the impact that it is having on them. At first, the play is illustrating how this is something that is highlighting the status quo. Then, as time goes by is when this highlighting how there are changes in the underlying psychological states of the characters and the conflict that exists. ("Street Car Named Desire")

Once this occurs, is when the combination of these elements are coming together to understand the different mental states among the characters. In the beginning, the sight and sound of the street car are showing how there is opportunity for Blanche. As she is riding on it which is: highlighting how this is Blanche putting the past behind her when she came to New Orleans (to understand who she was). At the same time, it is illustrating how this is an opportunity for her to start a new life. While simultaneously, the street car is depicting how Stella and Stanley have an abusive relationship that is hiding their need for each other. Yet, it is also underscoring the way that there are a number of issues beneath the surface that will have an impact on them. ("Street Car Named Desire")