Blog Post 3 Topic 4

“A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams is a tragic play that explores controversial topics in society, such as rape, suicide, mental illnesses, homosexuality and abusive relationships. This play was written in 1947 - a conservative time in which these topics would have been considered taboo to write about. Therefore, this story is best depicted through a play form because it offers an opportunity to allude to these contentious topics without explicitly stating them. The author utilizes the unique features of dramas, including stage directions, music, and body language, to tell the story.

Key aspects of this story are revealed through stage directions. Without this play form, many important details of the plot would not have been as obvious. For instance, Stanley indicates his intention to rape Blanche when he says, “Come to think of it – maybe you wouldn’t be bad to – interfere with…” (120). This alludes to the fact that Blanche will be raped, but this is not confirmed until we see the stage cue, “[Stanley] picks up [Blanche’s] inert figure and carries her to the bed. The hot trumpet and drums from the Four Deuces sound loudly” (190). The movement of Stanley carrying Blanche to bed creates a more powerful rape scene that would have been impossible to portray with just words. Furthermore, the background music helps set the mood for the audience and clarifies Stanley’s intent.

 Throughout the play, music is often used to emphasize and to foreshadow significant events. For instance, the “blue piano” sounds are played in various scenes, which appear to correspond with Blanche’s emotional state. As Blanche’s emotions intensify, the “blue piano” sounds grow louder. This is evident in the scene where Blanche anxiously tells Stella that she had lost their home, Belle Reve. Similarly, the music becomes increasingly louder as tensions rise between Stanley and Blanche as they argue, ultimately building up to her rape scene. In addition, polka music can also be heard during scenes in which Blanche talks about her late husband. Later, Blanche reveals that when she was dancing to polka music with her husband, she told him that she knew he was gay and that he disgusted her, causing him to run out and shoot himself. Blanche is haunted by her actions, which is why polka music is constantly on her mind and is played throughout scenes that mention her husband. Music is an essential part of this play and provides a deeper understanding of the characters.

In addition, this play form provides an additional layer of depth to the characters and their interactions through their facial expressions and body language. For example, after hitting Stella, Stanley is screaming her name and begging for her to come back to him. When she finally comes out of Eunice’s house, “They stare at each other... He falls to his knees on the steps and presses his face to her belly, curving a little with maternity. Her eyes go blind with tenderness as she catches his head and raises him level with her” (60). Although no words are exchanged between them, Stanley can express his remorse for his actions and Stella demonstrates that she has genuinely forgiven him. This is an emotional scene that illustrates how love is blinding Stella from realizing that she is in abusive relationship.

The unique aspects of a play allow the audience to get a better understanding of the play as opposed to a narrative book. Throughout the play, background music is used to set the mood and to alert the audience of a symbolic event. In addition, the stage cues and the characters’ actions, facial expressions, and body language help the audience see what the characters are alluding to. Altogether, these features of a play allow the author to subtly discuss controversial topics in society.