A Streetcar Named Desire: the symbolic meaning of names, setting and colors

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1, Technical University of Braunschweig, course: Proseminar, language: English, abstract: This paper deals with the symbolism in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. In this context, I will take a closer look at the different forms of symbolism. One major part of this paper is the meaning of the different characters in the play. Blanche, Stella and Stanley are the most important characters. Therefore I will analyze their symbolic function regarding to their character in general, their names and colors. Not only the characters carry a symbolic meaning, but also the different places mentioned in the play. The city of New Orleans is the larger setting of the action. I will analyze the meaning of the Elysian Fields, of Belle Reve and of New Orleans in general.