A Streetcar Named Desire: Scene 5

An interplay of memories, guilt and denial takes centre stage in Scene 5, lending the audience an insight into the characters’ susceptibility and struggles.
The sexual tension between Blanche and Mitch unravels, setting up questions about their future endeavours.
An implicit understanding of Blanche’s falsifications about her past emerges, offering an intriguing view into her fear of judgement and need for appreciation.

Blanche DuBois: Her mix of honesty and deception towards Mitch reveals her inner struggle between honesty and preservation of her desirability.
Stella Kowalski: Hardly present in this scene, Stella still serves as the bridge helping to weave Blanche’s faux world with the real one.
Harold Mitchell (Mitch): His being simultaneously enchanted and repelled by Blanche reflects his conflict between romantic idealisation and stark reality.

Reality vs Illusion: Blanche’s stories of her past life with rich suitors and promotions further depict her illusionary veil to shield her insecurities.
Love and Desire: The budding romantic tension between Blanche and Mitch reveal their desperation for companionship and love.
Loneliness and isolation: Blanche’s need to hold onto Mitch stems from her fear of being alone.

“It’s only a paper moon, just as phoney as it can be, but it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me.” - Blanche. This connects to the illusory world she has built around her.
“Honey, don’t get worried, your sister hasn’t become suddenly cruel.” - Blanche. Suggests Blanche’s struggle between her need for love and her recognition of her manipulative behaviour.

Metaphor: The paper moon serves as a metaphor for Blanche’s illusory world that can be maintained only through the belief of others.
Contrast: This scene serves significant contrast to the preceding dark and violent scene. The temporary relief offered here, however, alludes to lurking dread beneath its surface.
Symbolism: The phone, as a symbol of communication and news, becomes a source of tension, revealing Blanche’s vulnerability and fear of her secrets getting exposed.
The use of popular music throughout signifies Blanche’s distracting fantasy world, while the tension escalating music during Stanley’s revelation hints at the impending tragedy.
Scene 5 shows strong dialogues that represent the characters’ deep insecurities, ambitions, and complex psychological makeups.

The best approach to writing an essay about Scene 5 is to intertwine these points, creating a broad and multifaceted analysis.