A Streetcar Named Desire Lighting and Sound

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feeling at the end of the play because the viewer knows that Stanley has won even though he committed a heinous act of abuse. Throughout the play, the mood of the Blue Piano becomes dependent on the current mood of the play which helps the viewer depict the true actions and feelings behind the scene. Furthermore, the adjective “blue” suggests that the Piano represents depression or sadness. Much like the Polka, whenever Williams cues the piano, the viewer witnesses Blanche’s progressive fall into a state of mental illness. In the end, the Blue Piano magnifies the atmosphere of New Orleans and the New South in contrast to the gentile mood of the Old South that Blanche clings to. The impact leaves audience members sympathizing with or possibly pitying Blanches, either way, there is an underlying “blue” feeling.

In addition to sounds effects, Williams calls for a rich display of lighting. In essence, light serves as a motif throughout the play. From the beginning, it is stated that Blanche’s “delicate beauty must avoid a strong light”. On stage, Blanche always appears in a dim light: she places a paper lantern over the naked light bulb in the kitchen, and when she sees Mitch she only lights on a candle. This absence of strong light can convey many layers of meaning to the viewer. First, as the stage direction suggests, light is almost aggressive to Blanche’s fragile beauty; the dim light from the paper lantern contrasts with the violent “raw color” light at Stanley’s poker night. Progressing through the play, the viewer learns that darkness “comforts” to Blanche. She can protect herself behind the screen of darkness, only revealing to men what “ought to be the truth”, which is a younger, purer and more attractive Blanche. When Mitch tears down the lantern and turns on the bright light over her, the significance becomes obvious: he has torn down her last line of defense, revealing her real age and her deceitful secrets to the world, leaving her broken and helpless. The loss of this protective darkness signifies the final blow before she falls into lunacy. Therefore, it becomes clear that light, as a stage effect, plays an undeniable role in helping the spectator to understand the evolution of a character.

Williams’ undeniable talent as a playwright employs dramatic conventions in the form of lighting and sounds adding depth and emotion to a tragic and melancholy display of social realism. The Sound and light he adds helps set up an atmosphere and allows the spectator to depict the detailed characters. A Streetcar Named Desire serves as an excellent example of Williams’ abilities. Music such as the Polka and the Blue Piano have deeper significance and assist in creating the atmosphere and mood of the play. These conventions also help the viewer understand the evolution of Blanche’s Character. Light plays an important role as a motif in the play which also helps characterize Blanche. As can be seen, the staging in Williams’ play adds a depth which truly must be watched to appreciate its effect.