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Light and dark symbolize Blanche's ability to let someone in and open up to honesty and trust. She is often in the dark and puts a cheerful, polite facade on. When she talks about her ex husband, she states that he had turned on a bright light in her life, this meant to her that she could be honest and happy. But when he cheated on her she lost trust and when he died the light turned off.
Knowing this, you truly start to understand her characters every action. She avoids harsh light as to protect herself from the pain that follows, she keeps herself from trusting Mitch, and lies to everyone. Blanche only wants happiness and won't except any less. She doesn't even want people knowing her true age, the darkness hides this along with her sorrow. The sad part is that in the end, her sister doubts her when she tells the truth and chooses to not except it.

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"kinds of new light have come into the world since then! […] In this dark march […] don’t — don’t hang back with the brutes!" (4, 72)

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“What it means is I’ve never had a real good look at you, Blanche. Let’s turn the light on here.” (9, 116)

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“It was like you suddenly turned a blinding light on something that has always been half in shadow, that’s how it struck the world for me.”
(6, 95)

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“I can’t stand a naked light bulb no more than I can stand a rude remark or vulgar action.” (3, 55)

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"I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it! – Don’t turn the light on!" (9, 117)

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"It isn’t enough to be soft. You’ve got to be soft and attractive. And I – I’m fading now! I don’t know how much longer I can turn the trick."
(5, 79)

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Textual Reference

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“You’re standing in the light Blanche!” (3, 50)

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“Her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light.” (1, 15)

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“And turn that over-light off! Turn that off! I won’t be looked at in this merciless glare!” (1,19)