When Blanche moves in with Stanley and Stella, she uses a cheap paper lantern to cover a bare bulb hanging in her room. She cannot bear the harsh light that emphasizes the truth about her looks and living situation. The paper lantern symbolizes all of Blanche's fantasies.
Blanche uses the paper lantern to make sure that no one can see her as she truly exists. When she first meets Mitch, she ensures that he will come into her room before he gets a closer look at her. Within that room and in that light, Blanche is able to retain her fantasies and have Mitch fall in love with her.
As the fantasies become more out of hand, Blanche and Mitch begin to have problems. Eventually he rips down the paper lantern.....
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