Maddening Music: An Analysis of Polka Music Symbolism in A Streetcar Named Desire Ally Schrieber College

Unlike novelists, playwrights can use visual and auditory effects to emphasize certain aspects of the storyline. Tennessee Williams’, A Streetcar Named Desire, utilizes music to portray an internal conflict taking place within Blanche DuBois. This music, the polka, is heard throughout the play increasing as the scene’s continue. Musical styles of polka are generally upbeat and have the positive connotation of festivities and happiness. However, the polka music in A Streetcar Named Desireis played during times of distress, despite the common positive energy usually associated with it. Blanche’s auditory illusion of polka music, specifically the Varsouviana, heard by the audience throughout the play sheds light on Blanche’s mental condition and provides the reader, or watcher, with a unique perspective into Blanche’s mind.

The first mention of polka, at the end of scene one, takes place when Stanley asks Blanche about her first marriage. Polka music begins to play softly in the background: “[The music of polka rises up, faint in the distance](28). The first instance of polka music is heard playing steadily, but distantly, auditorily depicting Blanche's mental condition’s steady decline starting faintly at the play’s beginning....