5.1.3

Recurring Motifs

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Recurring Motifs

Williams is famous for using symbols. These symbols work as recurring motifs in the play, which offer the reader and audiences insights into characters and events. Some examples include:

Illustrative background for Blanche avoiding lightIllustrative background for Blanche avoiding light ?? "content

Blanche avoiding light

  • Blanche’s avoidance of light – she likes to be seen in the shadows.
Illustrative background for Blanche's bathingIllustrative background for Blanche's bathing ?? "content

Blanche's bathing

  • Blanche’s continual bathing – perhaps she hopes to wash away the sin of her past.
Illustrative background for Blanche's closed trunkIllustrative background for Blanche's closed trunk ?? "content

Blanche's closed trunk

  • Blanche’s closed trunk as a metaphor for hiding her past and closing it off.
Illustrative background for ShadowsIllustrative background for Shadows ?? "content

Shadows

  • Williams’ wider use of shadows as a dramatic method.
Illustrative background for MeatIllustrative background for Meat ?? "content

Meat

  • The use of meat as a metaphor. This puts Stanley in the position of the caveman who leaves the home to hunt food.
Illustrative background for Gambling terms and cardsIllustrative background for Gambling terms and cards ?? "content

Gambling terms and cards

  • The use of gambling terms and cards as descriptions of real-life events on stage.
Illustrative background for Mexican womanIllustrative background for Mexican woman ?? "content

Mexican woman

  • The Mexican woman selling flowers signifies Blanche’s downfall and suffering.

Jump to other topics

1Context & Overview

2Scene Summaries

3Character Profiles

4Key Ideas

5Writing Techniques

6Critical Debates

7Ideas About Tragedy

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