Further accusations of author conceit ....

6. How do the various physical effects--theatrical components such as sets, lights, costuming, makeup, gestures, stage movements, musical effects of song or dance, and so forth-- reinforce the meanings and contribute to the emotional effects? By what means does the playwright indicate the nature of these physical effects--explicitly, through stage directions and set descriptions, or implicitly, through dialogue between characters?

Lights were important to the play in moments like the nonrealistic one in which, during Tom's spiel about how tricky people like his dad can escape coffins without removing nails, the portrait of his father lit up to unveil the veiled reference (1249). Also, the music, also nonrealistic, offered insights into the nature of the particular moment in the memory. Actually, the fact that it's a memory makes the nonrealistic elements sort of de facto realistic--who's to say I don't remember things as though they were musicals? Also, Williams' detailed stage directions sort of give away all of his symbolism. As an aspiring writer, I really have to admit feeling annoyed about this. If the reader won't pick up on the symbolism unless you shove it in his/her face, there's not much point in putting it in there to begin with. If it's so subtle very few will notice, then leave it to the few to feel smug and point it out to their friends. That's what Lit classes are for. Also, maybe I would have picked up on the parallels on my own. Now my brain has gone all lazy. Hmph.