Sounds in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Adrienne and Rohit

Overall the sound effects in A Streetcar Named Desire establishes the setting, time period, foreshadows events which are about  to occur, and most importantly emotional situation of characters present.

Here are some of the significant sounds we noticed in the script of the play, written by Tennessee Williams:

Train sound (82- 83)

The train sounds provide the setting of the modern American south and its unique culture. In this scene, the sounds cover Stanley’s movements allowing him to be discrete and deceptive. Since Blanche represents the past and Stanley the present, it shows that Stanley is comfortable in his environment while Blanche is not.

Mexicana (147)

The words of the Mexicana flower lady remind Blanche of the motif of death. The Mexicana lady yells “Flores para los muertos” causing Blanche to panic as she is reminded of her husband’s death and her mother’s death. “…And other things such as bloodstained pillow-slips…” Flowers represent death. Through this scene, we see Blanche’s attitude and outlook on death and its inevitability. “Everything gone but the (…) Death” (148). In addition, Blanche explains that desire can at times be an escape from death as seen from her story about the young soldiers.

Radio (62)

In this scene, Blanche turns on the radio which plays “Wien, Wien, nur du allein.”  Mitch and Blanche are enjoying the song while Stanley reacts negatively. The scene contrasts the differences between Stanley’s modernity and Blanche’s civilized nature as seen through her enjoyment in classic waltzing while Stanley’s animal instincts take over him in disapproval of the song.

Slamming doors

 Stanley, with his intense physicality, slams doors and displays aggressive actions in his everyday encounters with Blanche. These constant sounds reminds the audience of his character and lack of control of his own power.

Neighbor Noises- Steve and Eunice (laughing 133, yelling at each other 86)

“[A disturbance is heard upstairs at the Hubbell's apartment]…” The argument upstairs between Steve and Eunice is a reminder to Blanche about the nature of love in modern society. “[A clatter of aluminum striking a wall is heard, followed by a man's angry roar, shouts and overturned furniture. There is a crash; then a relative hush]” (86). She sees the physical love between Stella and Stanley and this is complemented by the shouting of Steve and Eunice. The sounds in this scene also show how the women of this time period downplayed the aggressive nature of men in their love. In the laughing scene, Steve and Eunice represent the past relationship of Stanley and Stella which has now developed further. This also portrays how the relationship between Stanley and Stella has deteriorated after Blanche’s arrival.

Inhuman Voices

“The night is filled with inhuman voices like cries in the jungle” (159).
Creates the mood between Blanche and Stanley which sets up the intensity for the rape scene.
The whistle which breaks the prostitute and a drunkard. This sound is of importance because it is foresight and almost a warning for what is about to happen to Blanche.