|
|
Contrasts: The major contrast is between Blanche and Stanley. It begins with how they grew up. Even their names and the way they sound are opposite. Blanche is aristocratic with a French name. She comes from a world of teas, cocktails and talks on a higher level. She searches for values and wants to keep the traditions of Belle Reve. Kowalski's are loud, aggressive. They come from a world, not of tea, but of cheap beer. They express their desires in crude, simple language and are concerned with physical things and money, not art and values. Colors are also contrasted between these two characters. Stanley is associated with vivid colors. Coarse, loud primary colors are his style. Blanche, however, selects pastels or white colors that are muted and muffled. Truth vs Reality: Stanley is simple, straightforward and honest. He embodies the unembelished truth. Blanche, obviously, typifies the opposite. She "puts a gaily-colored paper lantern" on the harshness of the truth. A woman's charm she say is 50% illusion. Stanley hates the lantern for covering up the truth and deceiving others. Take note of the words to the songs that Blanche sings in the bathroom. Love: Another theme is the of Love. Stanley is satified by his animal desires. Love to him is a physical act to be enjoyed. To Blanche, love is not physical. What she needs is someone to protect her. Love is a concept that she places on a higher level, a spiritual level. Light vs. Darkness: Stanley is into the reality of life. He is like a naked light bulb: harsh.
|
