What does a paper Moon symbolize in A Streetcar Named Desire?

“It’s Only a Paper Moon” The speaker in the song says that if both lovers believe in their imagined reality, then it’s no longer “make-believe.” These lyrics sum up Blanche’s approach to life. She believes that her fibbing is only her means of enjoying a better way of life and is therefore essentially harmless.

Who puts up the paper lantern for Blanche?

Stanley, symbolizing the new era of the harsh truth, tears the lantern, implying that Blanche is finally stripped from her dreams and she is left exposed toe the harsh reality with no sympathy as she ‘cries out’. Stanley extends the ripped paper lantern to her, giving back her shattered dreams.

What do the characters represent in A Streetcar Named Desire?

While Blanche represents an old-world ideal—she formerly owned a plantation called Belle Reve and has a patrician affectation—, the other characters, including Stanley, his friends, and other inhabitants of the quarter, represent the multi-cultural reality of a city like New Orleans.

What does the paper lantern symbolism in the play?

In A Streetcar Named Desire, a Chinese paper lantern is used to symbolize a main character’s own insecurities. Some would see the paper lantern as just a prop in this play but it is actually a reflection of how Blanche, the haughty and mysterious sister, really feels on the inside.

What does Paper Moon represent?

Despite this flaw, photos sitting in a paper moon had meaning because they were taken with a loved one. This concept, that life and all it contains is false until love is added, influenced the popular song It’s Only A Paper Moon.

Why does Blanche cry out and cover her face when Mitch tears off the paper lantern and turns on the light?

She begs him not to turn the light on, but he says that he wants to be “realistic.” Blanche cries that she doesn’t like realism and “want[s] magic.” She explains that her policy is to say what “ought” to be true. Mitch switches the light on, and Blanche lets out a cry and covers her face. He turns the light off.

What is the symbolism of Mitch tearing off the paper lantern?

When Mitch rips the paper lantern off the light in Scene Nine, we as an audience understand that he no longer buys into the illusion that Blanche tried to craft, and wishes to expose the truth as represented by the light.

How is Stanley’s tearing the paper lantern from the bulb significant?

Mitch’s action in ripping the paper lantern off the light bulb is significant because he is also ripping the dreams that Blanche has created and trapped herself in, in order to hide from the ugly reality she is unable to confront.

How is Blanche’s name ironic and symbolic?

What does Blanche’s name mean and why is it ironic? It means white woods. It’s ironic because white is pure and she is the farthest from pure.

Why is Blanche compared to a moth?

The Moth Motif Williams describes Blanche as a moth, for she is flighty in movement and frail in appearance. Like a moth flitting around, Blanche makes senseless, nervous gestures, displaying the fact she is tense and high-strung. She also has delicate features and wears light, airy clothing.

How is Blanche’s name both ironic and symbolic?

Combined with her first name, her entire name would translate as “white wood”, which she explains to Mitch in scene three, “It’s a French name. It means woods and Blanche means white, so the two together mean white woods” (Williams 150).

Where does Stanley find Eunice after the fight with Steve?

Stella says that Eunice has had a fight with Steve, and she asks whether Eunice is with the police. Stanley replies that he has just seen her at the bar around the corner, having a drink.

Who are the characters in A Streetcar Named Desire?

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Characters 1 Blanche DuBois 2 Stella Kowalski (née DuBois) 3 Stanley Kowalski 4 Harold Mitchell (Mitch) 5 Allan Grey 6 Eunice Hubbell 7 The Mexican Woman 8 The Doctor More

What is Blanche’s personality in A Streetcar Named Desire?

Blanche feigns modesty and a coquettish nature, but behind the veneer, she hides a much darker past. The A Streetcar Named Desire quotes below all refer to the symbol of Paper Lantern and Paper Moon. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ).

What makes A Streetcar Named Desire an exceptional literary work?

Later in the play, the reader realizes that statement most likely refers to Blanche’s arriving at the place and the situation she is now in because of her servitude to her own desires and urges. What really makes A Streetcar Named Desire such an exceptional literary work is the development of interesting, involving characters.

What happens to Stella at the end of A Streetcar Named Desire?

During the events of A Streetcar Named Desire, Stella is pregnant with his child, and eventually delivers the baby towards the end of the play. We see her being torn between loyalty to her sister and loyalty to her husband.