STELLA: I said, Is Mitch through with her?
[Blanche’s voice is lifted again, serenely as a bell. She sings "But it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me."]
STANLEY: No, I don’t think he’s necessarily through with her – just wised up!
– Tennessee Williams
A Streetcar Named Desire, Scene 7. From the bathroom Blanche sings her song about love and illusion unaware that Mitch is no longer smitten by her and won’t be marrying her. A simile describes her voice as being as serene as a bell. This is an example of the Williams using Stanley’s speech and Blanche’s song contrapuntally to build up tension by creating dramatic irony.