A Streetcar Named Desire has a unique style and cinematography. Elia Kazan uses darkness effectively to bring a sense of suspense and drama to the film. When Blanche first arrives outside Stanley and Stella's apartment, the streets are dark and the world seems dangerous. We see that she is living in a world where her sensual desires have brought her to a dark and sometimes scary place.

Inside the apartment, much of it is well lit, but Blanche uses the paper lantern to dim the lights in her room. She realizes that in the bright lights, people can see exactly who she is. She ends up looking her age, and she feels like even her personality and faults suddenly become clear to those around her. She keeps her relationship with Mitch in half darkness so that he will not see her for who she...