Love and Marriage in Scene One of A Streetcar Named Desire Essay

What methods does Williams use to introduce the theme of love and marriage in scene 1?

The theme of Love and Marriage is quite an important theme in the Play A streetcar named desire written by Tennessee Williams, as it can be related to, over and over again as the play goes on. Williams uses symbols, imagery and figures of speech to expand on this theme, and to give the reader a real sense of what is going on during the course of the play. In scene one the character of Stanley is described and then introduced by Stella (Stanleys wife) to Blanche (Stanleys sister-in-law),this is why the first scene is very significant, as it gives the audience a very good idea of what the relationship between Stella and Stanley is like (Love and Marriage).

As the scene opens, the audience is given a short introduction in which the setting is described ,for New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city where there is a relatively warm and easy intermingling of races in the old part of town, the description of this setting (New Orleans ) is enhanced slightly further, during the rest of the first scene. This description of New Orleans in the introduction gives, a good insight into the cities atypical characteristics (compared to other southern cities in the United States), such as the fact that different classes and ethnic groups can all intermingle with one and other without any problem. It gives the reader a very relaxed happy-going perception of the city This blue pianoexpresses the spirit of life which goes on here, almost to the point where it can be said that the setting is a romanticized version of slum life. This sets the background for the relationship between Stella and Stanley as it almost provides a foresight into their relationship (as we find out later on in the scene) as being one of true love. It shows how even though the two (Stella and Stanly) are from completely different backgrounds they still have a very loving relationship, again this can be related to New Orleans being a very multicultural city.

Stanleys introduction into the scene comes when he throws a package of meat to Stella, this throwing of the package of meat although a very straightforward simple action actually symbolizes a lot more than it first seems, and tells the audience a lot more about the relationship between Stella and Stanly. Not only does it portray Stanleys primitive almost cave man like characteristics (as if he is ringing back the meat to his cave) but it also underscores the sexual bond/connection-meat portraying flesh- between the two, this aspect of the action is noticed by the other characters aswell,What was that he thew at er(she rises from steps, laughing louder).Stella then asks Stanley if she can accompany him to the bowling alley to which he agrees. This sh