Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-1-3-recurring-motifs [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel.md) › [English Lit: Edexcel A Level A Streetcar Named Desire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire.md) › Recurring Motifs # Recurring Motifs English Lit: Edexcel A Level A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 5.1.3 ## 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: ### Blanche avoiding light ![Blanche avoiding light](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/57c77c4b-896b-40c0-8f39-69cf4dfd4df2/fashion-lights-show.jpg) - Blanche’s avoidance of light – she likes to be seen in the shadows. ### Blanche's bathing ![Blanche's bathing](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/5d16e3c0-256e-4025-9a35-5d086a3909e7/bath-.jpg) - Blanche’s continual bathing – perhaps she hopes to wash away the sin of her past. ### Blanche's closed trunk ![Blanche's closed trunk](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/e3f93d85-572e-43b9-b9c0-6337ad7d960e/suitcase-luggage-travel-baggage-.jpg) - Blanche’s closed trunk as a metaphor for hiding her past and closing it off. ### Shadows ![Shadows](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f41dd76f-391f-479b-a935-e1690cf2a8f0/shadow-family.jpg) - Williams’ wider use of shadows as a dramatic method. ### Meat ![Meat](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/081e2ff9-f3dc-499f-929b-f1e2ba6a2ead/shutterstock_640904416.jpg) - The use of meat as a metaphor. This puts Stanley in the position of the caveman who leaves the home to hunt food. ### Gambling terms and cards ![Gambling terms and cards](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/0c0bf7d8-992e-405b-9d38-59edacc013c1/cards-gamble-casino-.jpg) - The use of gambling terms and cards as descriptions of real-life events on stage. ### Mexican woman ![Mexican woman](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/169f0012-bd26-456e-9506-b5c259c86c91/hand-giving-gift-flowers-.jpg) - The Mexican woman selling flowers signifies Blanche’s downfall and suffering. ## Test yourself on Recurring Motifs - Who likes to avoid being in the light? - What action does Blanche repeat? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/2abd1827-4ec2-46ca-b7bd-d0cfb229810d/section/e055feb9-e507-4198-b477-96b059e6178f/session) - Previous topic: [5.1.2 Linking Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-1-2-linking-devices.md) - Next topic: [5.2.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-2-1-genre.md) ## English Lit: Edexcel A Level A Streetcar Named Desire contents ### 1 Context & Overview - 1.1 The Author - [1.1.1 Tennessee Williams](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-1-1-tennessee-williams.md) - 1.2 Social Context & Setting - [1.2.1 Social Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-2-1-social-context.md) - [1.2.2 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-2-2-social-issues.md) - [1.2.3 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-2-3-setting.md) - 1.3 Tragedy - [1.3.1 Overview of the Tragic Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-3-1-overview-of-the-tragic-genre.md) - [1.3.2 Modern Domestic Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-3-2-modern-domestic-tragedy.md) - [1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/1-3-3-end-of-topic-test-author-context-and-tragedy.md) ### 2 Scene Summaries - 2.1 Scene One - [2.1.1 Scene One: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-1-1-scene-one-summary.md) - [2.1.2 Scene One: Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-1-2-scene-one-tragedy-ideas.md) - 2.2 Scene Two - [2.2.1 Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-2-1-scene-two-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.2.2 End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-2-2-end-of-topic-test-scenes-one-two.md) - 2.3 Scene Three - [2.3.1 Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-3-1-scene-three-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - 2.4 Scene Four - [2.4.1 Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-4-1-scene-four-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.4.2 End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-4-2-end-of-topic-test-scenes-three-and-four.md) - 2.5 Scene Five - [2.5.1 Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-5-1-scene-five-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - 2.6 Scene Six - [2.6.1 Scene Six: Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-6-1-scene-six-summary.md) - 2.7 Scene Seven - [2.7.1 Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-7-1-scene-seven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - 2.8 Scene Eight - [2.8.1 Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-8-1-scene-eight-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.8.2 End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-8-2-end-of-topic-test-scenes-five-eight.md) - 2.9 Scene Nine - [2.9.1 Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-9-1-scene-nine-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - 2.10 Scene Ten - [2.10.1 Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-10-1-scene-ten-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - 2.11 Scene Eleven - [2.11.1 Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-11-1-scene-eleven-summary-and-tragedy-ideas.md) - [2.11.2 End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/2-11-2-end-of-topic-test-scenes-nine-eleven.md) ### 3 Character Profiles - 3.1 Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski - [3.1.1 Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-1-1-blanche-dubois-the-past-and-illusions.md) - [3.1.2 Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-1-2-blanche-dubois-relationship-with-men-and-breakdown.md) - [3.1.3 The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-1-3-the-dynamic-between-blanche-and-stanley.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-blanche-and-stanley.md) - 3.2 Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch) - [3.2.1 Stella Kowalski](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-2-1-stella-kowalski.md) - [3.2.2 Harold Mitchell (Mitch)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-2-2-harold-mitchell-mitch.md) - 3.3 Minor Characters - [3.3.1 The Hubbels & Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-3-1-the-hubbels-and-other-characters.md) - [3.3.2 End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/3-3-2-end-of-topic-test-stella-mitch-and-others.md) ### 4 Key Ideas - 4.1 Sex & Gender - [4.1.1 Sex & Desire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/4-1-1-sex-and-desire.md) - [4.1.2 Masculinity & Femininity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/4-1-2-masculinity-and-femininity.md) - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-sex-desire-and-gender.md) - 4.2 Appearances, Fantasy & Reality - [4.2.1 Outer & Inner Appearances](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/4-2-1-outer-and-inner-appearances.md) - [4.2.2 Fantasy & Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/4-2-2-fantasy-and-reality.md) - [4.2.3 End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/4-2-3-end-of-topic-test-appearances-fantasy.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Structure - [5.1.1 Structure & Stage Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-1-1-structure-and-stage-design.md) - [5.1.2 Linking Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-1-2-linking-devices.md) - [5.1.3 Recurring Motifs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-1-3-recurring-motifs.md) - 5.2 Genre, Form & Language - [5.2.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-2-1-genre.md) - [5.2.2 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-2-2-form-and-language.md) - [5.2.3 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/5-2-3-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) ### 6 Critical Debates - 6.1 Early & Modern Reception - [6.1.1 Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/6-1-1-interpreting-blanche-and-self-pity.md) - [6.1.2 Contemporary & Modern Reviews](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/6-1-2-contemporary-and-modern-reviews.md) - 6.2 Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach - [6.2.1 Feminist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/6-2-1-feminist-approach.md) - [6.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/6-2-2-psychoanalytic-approach.md) - [6.2.3 Marxist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/6-2-3-marxist-approach.md) - [6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/6-2-4-end-of-topic-test-critical-debates.md) ### 7 Ideas About Tragedy - 7.1 Ideas About Tragedy - [7.1.1 Tragic Ideas & Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/7-1-1-tragic-ideas-and-villain.md) - [7.1.2 Tragic Structure & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/7-1-2-tragic-structure-and-language.md) ### 8 Recap: Main Quotes - 8.1 Main Quotes by Scene - [8.1.1 Scene One - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-1-scene-one-quotations.md) - [8.1.2 Scene Two - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-2-scene-two-quotations.md) - [8.1.3 Scene Three - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-3-scene-three-quotations.md) - [8.1.4 Scene Four - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-4-scene-four-quotations.md) - [8.1.5 Scene Five - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-5-scene-five-quotations.md) - [8.1.6 Scene Six - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-6-scene-six-quotations.md) - [8.1.7 Scene Seven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-7-scene-seven-quotations.md) - [8.1.8 Scene Eight - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-8-scene-eight-quotations.md) - [8.1.9 Scene Nine - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-9-scene-nine-quotations.md) - [8.1.10 Scene Ten - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-10-scene-ten-quotations.md) - [8.1.11 Scene Eleven - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/a-streetcar-named-desire/8-1-11-scene-eleven-quotations.md)