Costume choices

Definition

Costume choices refer to the decisions made regarding the design and selection of clothing and accessories for characters in a theatrical production. These choices play a crucial role in conveying a character's personality, status, and emotional state, while also reflecting the overall themes and setting of the play. In works like 'Death of a Salesman' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire', costume choices are integral to understanding character dynamics and social commentary.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In 'Death of a Salesman', Willy Loman's clothing reflects his middle-class aspirations and ultimate failure, using his costume to symbolize his struggle between reality and illusion.
2. Blanche DuBois's costumes in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' evolve throughout the play, illustrating her descent into madness and the contrast between her past glamour and her present vulnerability.
3. Costumes can signify relationships between characters; for example, in 'Death of a Salesman', Biff's clothing choices reflect his conflict with his father's expectations.
4. Lighting and set design often work hand-in-hand with costume choices to create a cohesive visual storytelling experience that enhances audience understanding.
5. The choice of colors and fabrics in costumes can evoke specific emotions or themes, with brighter colors often representing hope or vitality, while darker tones may suggest despair or decay.

Review Questions

• How do costume choices contribute to the characterization of Willy Loman in 'Death of a Salesman'?
  • Willy Loman's costume choices are essential in revealing his character throughout 'Death of a Salesman'. His clothing often appears worn and outdated, symbolizing his struggle with the changing American Dream and his internal conflicts. The contrast between his aspirations for success and his reality is visually represented through his attire, making his journey more poignant for the audience.
• Analyze the significance of Blanche DuBois's evolving costumes in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and what they reveal about her character arc.
  • Blanche DuBois’s costumes serve as a powerful representation of her fragile mental state and social status. Initially, she wears elegant and sophisticated outfits that suggest refinement and beauty, which gradually deteriorate into more disheveled garments as her psychological state worsens. This progression underscores her decline from a once-glamorous past to a troubled present, reinforcing the themes of illusion versus reality within the play.
• Evaluate how costume choices reflect the broader social commentary present in both 'Death of a Salesman' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
  • Costume choices in both plays serve as critical reflections of social themes such as class struggle, identity, and personal failure. In 'Death of a Salesman', Willy's outdated business attire highlights the challenges faced by the middle class in post-war America, while in 'A Streetcar Named Desire', Blanche's costumes illustrate the fragility of social status and femininity in a rapidly changing world. Both productions use costumes not just for aesthetic purposes but also to provide insight into characters' struggles within their societal contexts.

Related terms

Characterization: The process by which an author or playwright reveals a character's personality through actions, dialogue, and appearance.

Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often enhancing the meaning of costumes beyond their physical appearance.

Period Style: The visual style that reflects a specific historical time frame, influencing costume design to accurately represent the era in which the story takes place.