Music in Streetcar Named Desire is played to evoke feeling and tone with the play. Every time that Allan is mentioned, the polka plays. Blanche stated that, “the polka tune were played when Allan-” died. The polka music is reminiscent of the guilt that Blanche feels because of Allan’s death. Even though Blanche did not murder Allan, she feels like she had a role in his death. The sounds of the polka remind Blanche of what she has lost. In the scene where Blanche reveals the truth about her past to Mitch, the polka tune also plays. The usage of music in the play is detrimental because it adds a level of feeling and tone in the play. Instead of the actors relying on only themselves to evoke feeling in the audience, they have the addition of music, which proves to be useful when talking about touchy subjects for the characters – such as Allan’s death. Also, the sound of the Blue Piano is significant to the place where they live and the spirit of their life. The sounds of the Blue Piano evoke the feeling and tone of their community.
While bathing, Blanche sings the tune It’s Only a Paper Moon. The song is about how love turns the world into a fake fantasy. Blanche’s singing the song represents the way that she is living. Blanche sings the song about phony love while she cleanses herself in the hot bath. The use of the singing in the bathtub represents Blanche’s confidence with the world and her views of love and life.
The use of music, Blanche’s singing, the Blue Piano and the drums evokes different feelings such as livelihood, love, suspense and drama.
