A Streetcar Named Desire
All BUT which of the following expressions are used by Blanche to describe Stanley? A. He's an ape B. He acts like an animal C. He's superior to the others D. He's common Answer: C
A Streetcar Named Desire
Based upon Blanche's commentary on Stella's body and the appearance of the apartment, what contrast can be drawn between Blanche and Stella? Answer: Blanche's commentary on Stella's body and the appearance of the apartment draw a contrast between the physical life that Stella has chosen and the dream world that Blanche desperately wants to inhabit. Though Stella has changed and moved into a new life, Blanche clings to her version of the past.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Based upon this quote, what is Stanley's view about women in general? And, how does this relate to Blanche? "I never met a woman that didn't know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and some of them give themselves credit for more than they've got." Answer: Stanley can easily size up a woman at a glance. He is able to know if he is able to manipulate them and if he even cares to try.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Blanche sings a song called "Paper Moon" that goes: "It's only a paper moon, Just as phony as it can be— But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me!" What is IRONIC about Blanche singing this song? A. She sings about the moon when Blanche actually enjoys the daylight. B. She wishes she had a beautiful singing voice to look more high-class, but in reality she does not sing well. C. The song is about the world being phony and make-believe, just as Blanche's world is. D. It references the paper lantern that Blanche busy to cover the naked light bulb in Stella and Stanley's apartment Answer: C
A Streetcar Named Desire
Describe Blanches behavior while she waited for Stella to return to the bowling alley to greet her. Answer: Blanche is nervous, sits on the couch with her body shaking and knees clinging together. She appears upset, frazzled, and out of place.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Describe Stella's character - think STEAL. Answer: The answers will vary.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Describe Stella's demeanor the morning after the poker game scene and how is it in contrast to Blanche's? Answer: Although Stella claims to repudiate Stanley's violence, she is clearly aroused by his aggression. Stella is calm, peaceful, and glowing, as though still lit with some of the lurid kitchen lighting of the previous night. Though Blanche sees Stanley's actions as unforgivable, Stella, to a certain degree, is under the spell of some of the violence—as she says, she finds it thrilling.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Describe the poker scene when Blanche and Stella return from their night out. Be specific with each of the characters actions towards one another. Answer: When the women enter the apartment, they walk straight into the heart of the masculine space. Stanley asserts his dominance physically over Stella, and she and Blanche retreat to the shadowy, feminine bedroom space.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Describe the relationship Stanley has with his friends. Answer: Stanley is the leader or the bully of his friends. They follow his instructions and directions probably because he is a bully and they aren't man enough to stand up to him. Stanley treats them poorly with his all his yelling, brute force, and demanding ways.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Describe the setting in detail at the beginning of Scene 1. Answer: This should include the colors around Elysian Fields - brown, blue, turquoise, white, weathered grey - all used to help describe the apartment and setting around.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Explain how Blanche's character can be defined in the following quote: "After all, a woman's charm is fifty percent illusion." Answer: Blanche is trying to use her charm, sex appeal towards others in her life. She believes that embellishing, flirting, and acting less intelligent is perfectly normal. She tells what ought to be the truth.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Explain how each of the four main characters - Blanche, Stella, Stanley, and Mitch - display desire. What do they desire and how does it influence their actions? Answer: Answers will vary - if need assistance, please ask Forte or Soucheck
A Streetcar Named Desire
Explain the symbolism within the title of the play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." Answer: The answers will vary.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Explain the title of the play: "A Streetcar Named Desire" What gives Stanley the right to go through Blanche's trunk of clothes and personal items? Answer: Stanley is the man of the house and everything in it. He is all powerful and dominant over the women and is the boss.
A Streetcar Named Desire
From the Scenes we have read, give an example or two that supports the following statements: Blanche is both disdainful of Stanley and afraid of him. He holds the power in the apartment, even though Blanche sees herself as elite. Her disparaging comments about the mixed social class show Blanche trying to cling to her prior social status. Answer: Answers will vary
A Streetcar Named Desire
How does Blanche's encounter with the young collector boy related to the play as a whole? A. It references the reason that Blanche was fired from her teaching job B. It functions as a reminder of her young romance with her husband who committed suicide C. It reinforces the fact that Blanche has an unstable and fragile mind D. Both A & B Answer: B
A Streetcar Named Desire
How does Stanley assert his power over Blanche? Answer: Stanley reveals the bus ticket that will take her out of the house for good, slamming drawers, throwing food on the floor, sitting on the table, clearing his plate all over the floor and wall, Shaw, acquaintances, telling Mitch about her past . . .
A Streetcar Named Desire
How does Stella defend her relationship with Stanley? Stella defends her relationship with Stanley through their sexual chemistry.
A Streetcar Named Desire
How does Stella feel about Mitch being told all the horrible stories Stanley has told him? Answer: Stella is horrified that Mitch knows about Blanche not because she is thinking about her own reputation but because she is worried about how Blanche will feel and because she knows—perhaps always knew—that Mitch represented a last chance for Blanche.
A Streetcar Named Desire
How has Stanley's veiled hints that he knows the truth about Blanche's background affected her behavior? Answer: Blanche nerves begin to become more noticeable and Blanche starts to question Stella if she has heard anything bad about her. She is becoming more paranoid.
A Streetcar Named Desire
In Scene 3, Stanley bellows, "STELL-LAHHHHH!" at the foot of the long winding staircase to Eunice and Steve's flat. Why does Stanley yell emphatically at Stella and how does she respond to him? Answer: Stanley wants his woman (Stella) with him. He is desperate and knows that his behaviors towards her at the poker game were wrong. He loves her and tries to get her to come back. Stella is drawn to him and returns to Stanley and they embrace and forgive one another and have "make-up" sex.
A Streetcar Named Desire
In addition to being the name of a streetcar, "Desire" also refers to which of the following? A. The love between Mitch and Blanche B. Blanche's self-destructive personality C. The life force in Blanche and the other characters D. The infidelity of all of the characters Answer: B
A Streetcar Named Desire
In pursuing her relationship with Mitch, Blanche is NOT specifically seeking: A. Sexual pleasure B. A source of constant attention C. A way of recapturing her youth/innocence D. The "magic" of a romantic relationship Answer: A
A Streetcar Named Desire
In the beginning of the play, Blanche is seen as the antithesis of Stanley. What are some of the differences that can support that they are direct opposites of one another? Answer: Blanche is immediately seen as Stanley's direct opposite: fluttering, insubstantial, and pale rather than a robust, muscular specimen. In this way, Stanley and Blanche are like the sun and the moon. Blanche may be able to hide her alcoholism from devoted Stella, but not from Stanley.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Lighting is a key factor in this play. Consider what it means - what could its presence and absence mean? Answer: It can tie to the fact of concealing the truth and hiding from reality. Also, creating an atmosphere of illusion or make-believe, pretending, or comfort of darkness.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Of all the following descriptions of Stanley, choose the one that clearly DOES NOT apply to him: A. He is possessed of an "animal magnetism" B. He drinks to repress bad memories of the past C. His primary goal is life is asserting himself over others D. He is blunt to the point of being rude Answer: B
A Streetcar Named Desire
Predict what you think will happen in the remaining 3 scenes. What is your support for this view? Answer: This will vary.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Stanley reveals Blanche's secret past to Mitch for all of the following reasons EXCEPT because: A. He doesn't want this friend marrying a liar B. He dislikes Blancher personally C. It is a way for him to assert himself over her D. He is jealous of Mitch and Blanche's relationship Answer: D
A Streetcar Named Desire
Stella and Stanley's relationship can be best described as which of the following? A. Loving and equal B. Platonic and familiar C. Impassionate and cold D. Sexual and passionate Answer: D
A Streetcar Named Desire
There is a power struggle between what 2 characters? Answer: Stanley and Blanche
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False Aspects of Tennessee William's life are depicted in the play. If true, what are some examples. If false, make the statement true. Answer: True
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False Blanche flirts with the newspaper boy, kisses him, and then they go out on a date. Answer: False
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False Mitch considers marrying Blanche. Answer: True
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False Stanley buys Blanche a new dress for her birthday. Answer: False
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False Steve and Eunice live in the downstairs flat. Answer: False
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False The name of Stella and Blanche's ancestral home is DuBois. Answer: False
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False? Blanche believes that she is staying with Stella by choice, rather than necessity, and that at any moment she can sail away with Shep. Answer: False. Blanche is living in a fantasy.
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False? Even though Blanche is horrified at the way Stanley treats Stella, her solution to get out of the situation also relies on a man. Answer: True - Blanche has a plan to contact Shep Huntleigh to rescue them and help them open their own shop.
A Streetcar Named Desire
True or False? Steve and Eunice, like Stanley and Stella, have a relationship that blows hot and cold and has ferocious underpinnings. Sex and violence are paired on both floors of the house. Answer: True
A Streetcar Named Desire
Unbeknownst to Blanche, Stanley hears her whole speech against him (the morning after the poker game), but he stores this up as power against her. What events show that he is using his power to hurt Blanche? Answer: Stanley begins to plot against Blanche. He sized her up the moment they met. He investigates Blanche's past in Laurel with a man named Shaw, The Flamingo Hotel, and a bus ticket back to Laurel for her birthday, and informs Mitch of the situation.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What "double standard" does Blanche display toward her treatment of Mitch's advances that in the antithesis when she was chatting with the paperboy? Answer: Blanche's treatment of Mitch's advances exposes her double standard: though she will barely let Mitch kiss her, in secret, she aggressively seduced the paperboy.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What about Stanley makes Stella think he will succeed in life? Answer: Stanley's appearance is manly and the way he carries himself and the dominance and desire he has over Stella.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What according to Stella is Blanche's "little weakness"? Answer: Blanche likes to receive compliments about her appearance. She wants everyone to perceive her as pure, innocent, sweet, kind, a lady and so forth.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are a couple of examples that support the fact that Stanley is from a lower class origin than Stella and Blanche? Answer: The fact that Stanley is blinded by the flashy dresses and fake gems show his lower-class origins: all that glitters seems to be gold to his animalistic, avaricious eye.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are a few examples that provide evidence to the fact that Blanche is scared or fearful of Stanley? Answer: Answers will vary, but - she hides behind the headboard in the bedroom when Stanley walks in and they are going to meet for the first time. Or, in the birthday dinner scene both Blanche and Stella cringe and withdraw their bodies inward when Stanley yells about how badly the girls have talked about him and he "clears his place" at the table. Or, after Stanley asks about Shaw and the Flamingo Hotel, or when Blanche and Stanley are face to face about the loss of Belle Reve and the papers. . .
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are some of the things that Blanche has lied to Stella, Stanley and Mitch? Answer: There is a long list of things such as: drinking, and the limit to how many is her limit, her age, her reason for being in Elysian Fields in May, being a widow, her past life events, knowing a man named Shaw, her experiences with Shep Huntleigh, that Stella has married a man, not being married, ...
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are the various ideas that the color red can represent? Which apply to the play? Answer: devil, death, blood, revenge, angry, love, romance, lust, heart, seduction, and so forth.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are the various ideas that the color white can represent? Which apply to the play? Answer: purity, cleanliness, ignorance, innocence, new, virgin, and so forth
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are the various ideas that the color yellow can represent? Which apply to the play? Answer: afraid, fearful, the sun, happiness, tainted, aging . . .
A Streetcar Named Desire
What are two things a man should ever ask a woman? Answer: Her age and weight
A Streetcar Named Desire
What can you foreshadow about when Blanche flirts with the young paperboy and what do we learn about her that she wants to keep hidden? Answer: Blanche's direct flirtation with this young boy foreshadows the affair with the student that we later learn was the real reason she lost her job, and reveals the voracious, uncontrollable sexual appetite that Blanche tries to keep hidden.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Blanche Dubois mean? Answer: Blanche - white and Dubois - woods
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Blanche find that is comforting to her? A. drinking B. smoking C. the dark D. flirting Answer: C - the dark
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Blanche pretend to find when Mitch comes by while Stella is in labor? a. Candles for her cake b. A gun c. Liquor d. A light to turn on Answer: C
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Blanche say caused her family to lose Belle Reve? a. Her ancestors "epic fornications" b. Her ancestors "spendthrift ways" c. Her father's death d. Blanche couldn't pay all the bills on a teacher's salary Answer: A
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Blanche's rant about the loss of Belle Reve demonstrate about her life and where it is headed? Answer: Blanche's rant demonstrates the last gasp of the South, the melodramatic notion held by many former plantation owners that the end of life in estates such as Belle Reve was the end of civilization.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Stanley do that proves he dominates Stella? Answer: Some examples are the following: Hits her on the back of the thigh during the power game, punching her during the poker game scuffle, smashing the light bulbs with the heel of her slipper on their wedding night, heaving the meat at her, etc.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does Stella insinuate to Blanche when Blanche says, "What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire!-the name of that rattle-trap street-car that bangs through the Quarter." Answer: Stella is figuratively trying to make the comment that Blanche has been in a relationship that has focused on desire and not love.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does this quote depict about Blanche's character? "Sit there and stare at me, thinking I let the place go? I let the place go? Where were you! In bed with your-Polack!" Answer: Blanche is trying to hide various events in her past. And, she is angry with Stella for leaving her to handle all of the deaths and funerals at Belle Reve. She is judgmental and accusatory.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does this quote imply about Blanche's character? "Sometimes-there's God-so quickly!" Answer: Blanche is a desperate woman.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does this quote reveal about Stanley's upbringing compared to Blanche and Stella's? "Hey, canary bird! Toots! Get OUT of the BATHROOM!" Answer: Stanley is primitive, vulgar and crude, while Stella and Blanche were raised to be refined, respectful and kind women.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What does this statement mean? Blanche depicts herself as a damsel in distress, positioning Mitch as a knight in shining armor. Answer: Blanche needs for Mitch to believe she is worth marrying and many times women need to appear as soft and attractive and only can survive with a man at their side.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What early warning does Stella give Blanche about her husband, Stanley? A. He is abusive B. He does not like visitors C. His friends are not the type that Blanche is accustomed to D. He values his privacy What can you say about Stanley's character from your answer? Answer: C This can hint at the fact that Stanley is the antithesis of the type of men from Belle Reve - proper, elite vs common or street smart.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What genre is "A Streetcar Named Desire?" Answer: A play
A Streetcar Named Desire
What image is Blanche trying to cultivate of herself to Mitch and why? Answer: Blanche wants to cultivate the image of her to Mitch as a young, dainty innocent, so even though she is quite sexually experienced, she pretends to be naïve, even though she knows—that it's an illusion.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Blanche admitting to when she makes the following statement to Stella? "I never was hard or self-sufficient enough. When people are soft-soft people have got to shimmer and glow-they've got to put on soft colors, the colors of butterfly wings, and put a-paper lantern over the light...It isn't enough to be soft. You've got to be soft and attractive. And I-I'm fading now!" Answer: Blanche is admitting that she is aging and she is not as appealing to men as she may have been when she was younger. She is scared and concerned about what she has left to offer men to care for her.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Blanche explaining to Mitch about in the following quote? "And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one moment since has there been any light that's stronger than this-kitchen-candle..." Answer: Blanche finally shares her deep dark secret about her young husband who committed suicide and how she blames herself and life has never been the same for her.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Blanche wearing when she arrives to Elysian Field and what is she compared to that describes her uncertain mannerisms? Answer: Blanche is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party. Her uncertain manner and white clothes suggest a moth.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Blanche's biggest fear in regards to Mitch? Answer: Blanche doesn't want her relationship with Mitch to become another version of the Stanley / Stella or Steve / Eunice dynamic: she wants to see Mitch as a gentleman and an escape from her surroundings.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Blanche's first impression of Mitch? A. He is just as crude as Stanley B. He is sensitive C. He is hiding a secret D. He reminds her of her father Answer: B
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Blanche's reaction to hearing from Stanley that Stella is going to have a baby? And, why did Stanley tell her the news that Stella wanted to wait to share with Blanche? Answer: Blanche was in shock disbelief, sort of dazed when she heard the news of Stella's pregnancy. Stanley told her instead of waiting to gain and keep the upper hand with Blanche. He was exercising his power and control over the situation and Stella.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Elysian Fields an ALLUSION for? Answer: The Greek underworld, Hell
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Stanley saying in this quote? "The Flamingo is used to all kinds of goings-on. But even the Flamingo wasn't impressed by Dame Blanche!" Answer: The Flamingo Hotel is one that permits their guests to provide services to others. Blanche was included in this situation and was too noticeable by others and the hotel was getting too much negative press. Blanche was participating in sexual relationships with strangers.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is Stanley's view of Blanche? Answer: Stanley is suspicious of Blanche and insistent that she is hiding something from him.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is one important thing that Blanche and Mitch have in common? Answer: Blanche and Mitch have both lost their sweethearts, and the death of loved ones draws them together.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is symbolic of Stanley tossing the bloody meat stained package at Stella? Answer: Tossing the package of meat symbolically captures Stanley and Stella's sexual relationship: he hurls himself physically at her, and she accepts delightedly. Raw physical lust forms a vital part of the life-blood of New Orleans, and of their relationship.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the Blanche's purpose for buying the Chinese paper lantern for the light bulb? Answer: Blanche hangs a paper lantern over the bare light bulb to create shadows and illusions that hide the reality of her real age.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the connection with the Varsouviana being played in Blanche's head most of the play and Allan? Answer: The polka music was playing the night Allan shot himself. They danced together on the dance floor before he rang out of the casino. This has haunted her for so long.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the connotation behind the red satin robe Blanche wears in front of Stanley and how does he react to it? Answer: The red satin robe suggests sexuality. Blanche tries to flirt with Stanley by emphasizing her femininity, but Stanley continues to assert his aggressive physical dominance.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the meaning and what literary term can be connected to the "blue piano" in the play? Answer: The blue piano is heard throughout the play and is always just around the corner. It ties into the setting of the play and what is accepted in the Quarter of New Orleans. He expresses the easy going, relaxed, and entertainment provided to all.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the name of Blanche's dead husband? Answer: Allan
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the pinnacle point of the poker game scene? Answer: Stanley breaks the harmony of the scene and throws everything into discord when he breaks the radio and shatters the music. Stanley violently asserts his aggression over Stella in an abusive demonstration of dominance. Blanche and Stella retreat into a safe female space.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the reason for the loss of Belle Reve according to Blanche? Answer: Blanche traces the loss of Belle Reve to mismanaged sexual desire (epic fortifications of her father, grandfathers, uncles, and so forth).
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the significance of Blanche's need to bath so often? Answer: Bathing refreshes her outlook on life and washes away her guilt. For example, death of Allan, intimacies with strangers, etc.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the significance of the polka music in the play and who is affected by it? Answer: The polka music is only in Blanche's mind—even though the audience hears it—and its appearance signifies that she is haunted by her dead husband.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is the streetcar named "Desire" symbolic of? Answer: Blanche's hope and wish for a new life; a fresh start
A Streetcar Named Desire
What is this quote inferring? "There are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark-that sort of make everything else seem-unimportant." Answer: The quote is inferring that when a couple is alone behind closed doors - that things in life or situations or problems do not exist.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What material is Mitch's jacket made from? a. Alpaca b. Satin c. Silk d. Cotton Answer: A
A Streetcar Named Desire
What message is the author trying to convey about Stanley's character to his readers? Since earliest manhood the center of [Stanley's] life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens. Answer: Tennessee Williams is letting the readers know that Stanley is a manly man, a brute, only cares about his needs, and he is dominant one in a relationship.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What mood does Blanche set when she and Mitch meet in Stella and Stanley's bedroom the night of the poker game? How does Mitch respond? Answer: Blanche encounters Mitch under her terms, that is, in the half-light of the bedroom that hides reality. She sees that she can draw him in with her flirtation, and she views him as a potential suitor. Mitch appears interested in her.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What reaction and actions does Stanley exhibit when he finds out about the loss of Belle Reve? Answer: Stanley is not concerned with Blanche's emotional fragility: he is only looking out for his own interests. He immediately distrusts Blanche, as he senses that she has some power over Stella, whereas he wants to have Stella completely.
A Streetcar Named Desire
What subject did Blanche teach? a. Math b. Social Studies c. Science d. English Answer: D
A Streetcar Named Desire
What types of behaviors do Steve and Eunice and Stanley and Stella have in common in their marriages? Answer: Both couples fight, yell and scream, and threaten one another, love, can't live without the other, and have make-up sex.
A Streetcar Named Desire
When Blanche disapproves of Stella's lifestyle how does this permit Blanche to see her own life and/or life before at Belle Reve? Answer: Blanche's disapproval of Stella's lifestyle allows Blanche to reinforce her own sense of superiority. She romanticizes the situation, envisioning herself as an ingénue in a tragic narrative. Blanche portrays herself as a lady who rarely drinks, but her words are directly opposite to her actions.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Where is Shep Huntleigh from? a. Spain b. New Orleans c. New York d. Dallas Answer: D
A Streetcar Named Desire
Which character said this quote? And, how does it apply to the conversation between the character and Blanche? Answer: Mitch said this to Blanche when he is confronting her about her past that Stanley shared with him.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Which of the following bonds is NOT shared by Mitch and Stanley? a. They served in the army together. b. They work at the same automotive parts company. c. They each married a DuBois sister. d. They play poker together. Answer: C
A Streetcar Named Desire
Which of the following does NOT serve as a symbol? a. Alcohol b. The polka c. Dark light d. Bathing Answer: A
A Streetcar Named Desire
Which of the following is NOT a theme in the play? a. Power b. Family c. Abusive relationships d. Psychological disorders Answer: D
A Streetcar Named Desire
Which of the following songs does Blanche sing while taking a bath? a. Desire b. It's only a paper moon c. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star d. The Varsouviana Answer: B
A Streetcar Named Desire
While Blanche and Mitch were out on a date, what does Blanche share with Mitch that she has not shared with others about her past? A. Blanche shares that she used to be a maid who worked at Belle Reve with her family. B. Blanche shares that she was once living on a yacht with Shep Huntleigh. C. Blanche shares her story about her husband, Allan. D. Blanche shares that she worked at the Flamingo and invites Mitch to join her for the evening. Answer: C
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who does the following quote refer to: "Don't-don't hang back with the brutes!" Answer: Blanche is referring to Stanley being a brute.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who is Blanche speaking to and to whom is she speaking about in this quote? "There's even something-sub-human-something not quite to the stage of humanity yet!" Answer: Blanche is speaking to Stella about how she views Stanley.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who is Blanche talking to and what does she mean in this quote, "I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action." Answer: Blanche is speaking with Mitch and is making a correlation between a light bulb and a rude mark or vulgar action as being things she tries and needs to avoid in her life.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who is Blanche's old beau (boyfriend)? How is he depicted by Blanche to demonstrate that she embellishes? Answer: Shep Huntleigh
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who is the author of "A Streetcar Named Desire?" a. Kate Chopin b. William Tennessee c. Tennessee Williams d. Ernest Hemingway Answer: C
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who is the protagonist and antagonist in the play? And support your answers. Answer: Stanley - Antagonist, Blanche - Protagonist
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who plays the mediator in the play? Answer: Stella
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said the following quote and how can this be considered a lie? "Oh, I guess he's just not the type that goes for jasmine perfume, but maybe he's what we need to mix with our blood now that we've lost Belle Reve." Answer: Blanche - This can be a lie based on the fact the Blanche doesn't like Stanley, is afraid of him, and wants to appear to like him in front of Stella.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said the following quote? And what is Stanley's reaction? "Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself." Answer: Stella and Stanley yells and displaces his manly power in the room.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote and explain why is it relevant? "There are thousands of papers, stretching back over hundreds of years, affecting Belle Reve as, piece by piece, our improvident grandfathers and father and uncles and brothers exchanged the land for their epic fornications—to put it plainly! . . . The four-letter word deprived us of our plantation, till finally all that was left—and Stella can verify that!—was the house itself and about twenty acres of ground, including a graveyard, to which now all but Stella and I have retreated." Answer: Blanche - She is trying to let Stanley know their plantation, Belle Reve was lost and not due to her actions.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote and to whom? "Deliberate cruelty is not forgivable." Answer: Blanche, said to Mitch
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "I want magic." How does this quote tie to the theme of reality vs. fantasy? Answer: Said by Blanche, Blanche can't live in the present time, but rather needs fantasy and/or illusions of magic to mask her past allowing her to pretend.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "Listen, baby, when we first met, you thought I was COMMON." What does the quote reveal about the character to the readers? Answer: Said by Stanley, Stanley is dominant in their relationship and Stella accepted this in him.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself." What is Stanley's reaction to this statement and how do other characters in the scene react? Answer: Stella
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "Poker shouldn't be played in a house with women." Answer: Mitch
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "She is as famous in Laurel as she was the President of the United States, only she is not respected by any party." What does this quote reveal about how the character feels about Blanche? Answer: Said by Stanley, Stanley doesn't like or trust Blanche. He is out for revenge, since he overheard Blanche's conversation to Stella about how she feels about Stanley.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "They told me to take a streetcar named Desire..." Answer: Blanche
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "What's a rhinestone?" What does this statement reveal about the character? Answer: Said by Stanley, Stanley ASSUMES that Blanche's jewelry and possessions are expensive.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "Whoever you are--I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." What literary term can be associated with this quote? Answer: Blanche, motif
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "Why you're as plump as a little partridge." How is this quote received by Stella? Answer: Blanche, Stella remains calm and nonjudgmental
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "You're not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother." Answer: Mitch
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? "When he's away for a week I nearly go wild!" What character trait(s) can you tie to this quote about the speaker? Answer: Said by Stella, Stella is in love with Stanley and is desperate without him
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said this quote? And what is the character referring to? "I wish you'd stop taking it for granted that I am in something I want to get out of!" Answer: Stella - and she questions Blanche about why she keeps insisting that they leave Elysian Fields and Stanley because Stanley is not the best for Stella. Stella is in disagreement with Blanche's thinking.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who said, "Now let's cut the re-bop!" and what is the character conveying? Answer: Stanley yells this at Blanche. He can see right through her flirtatious ways and can't be fooled by her.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who says the following quote? And, what is the character referring to? "It looks to me like you have been swindled, baby, and when you're swindled under the Napoleonic code I'm swindled too. And I don't like to be swindled." Answer: Stanley to Stella. He is referring to the loss of Belle Reve. He expects to receive money and an explanation as to what has happened to Belle Reve, but reap the rewards to the 'sale' for his own personal greed.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Who's more to blame for Blanche's ruin - Blanche or Stanley? Explain. Answer: These will vary, but with explanation each can be justified.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why can't Blanche enjoy her date with Mitch after Stanley has questioned her about a man named Shaw? Answer: Neither being with Mitch nor the gaudy, fake world of the amusement park can fully distract Blanche from the nightmares of her past that Stanley keeps bringing to the surface.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why do you think Blanche could share her most personal taunting tragedy with Mitch? Answer: These may vary
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche behavior so nervous around Eunice's questions after Eunice lets her into Stanley and Stella's apartment to wait for Stella? Answer: Blanche's nervousness at Eunice's questions indicate that she has something to hide in her past and that there is more to her seemingly innocent appearance than meets the eye.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche conceal that fact that she has a shot of whiskey at Stella's apartment while waiting for Stella to return from the bowling alley? What does this suggest about her with this behavior? Answer: Blanche considers herself to be above her surroundings. Her concealed drinking shows her desire to escape reality as well as the fact that she is quite adept at hiding facts about herself. Blanche is very concerned with keeping her delicate surface appearance intact.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche drink and what is her reaction when her drink that Stella has prepared for her spills? Be specific. Answer: Blanche drinks to escape the present and to blur the harsh edges of reality. When she thinks Stella has stained the dress, she overreacts as though Stella has ruined her whole dream of herself, and she is overly relieved when the stain blots cleanly away. If the stain had stayed, Blanche would have seen herself as tarnished forever.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche fall apart when Stanley touches the poems Blanche has wrapped in ribbon in her trunk? Blanche does not want Stanley to contaminate the love letters from her husband: she does not want her romantic vision of her past soiled by the present.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche frequently bathe? Answer: Blanche's frequent baths symbolize her yearning for emotional rejuvenation and cleansing.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche need to create the illusion stated below with Mitch? "We are going to be very Bohemian. We are going to pretend that we are sitting in a little artists' café on the Left Bank in Paris!" Answer: Blanche's life is full of lies and deceptions. She is hiding her past and pretending with Mitch to make life what it ought to be like.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche say in French to Mitch, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir"? Answer: Blanche is flirting, but Mitch is unable to understand French and therefore can't benefit from her actions. She is deceiving him.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Blanche want to deceive Mitch? Answer: Blanche wants Mitch to care for her the way she wants to be perceived because the truth will ruin their relationship. And, Mitch is a good, sensitive man whom Blanche can rest and relax with and not worry about life.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Stella enjoy waiting on Blanche while she is visiting, even though Blanche has been more of an interloper rather than a guest? Answer: Stella has always enjoyed waiting on Blanche and now it reminds her of Belle Reve. And, Stella knows her sister and looks on the brighter side of their relationship.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Stella stay with Stanley after reading the following passage? Unlike Blanche's bathing, which serves as an escape from reality, Stanley's shower brings him back to his sober self in the real world. His bellow is like a wounded animal roaring for his mate. Stella returns to him wordlessly, and the two embrace and make murmuring noises as they hold each other. Their relationship exists on a deep, primal level. Even though Stanley abuses his wife, and even though Blanche protects her, Stella chooses to come back to Stanley. Answer: Stella finds Stanley very attractive and has the physical connection with him. He is very different from the young men she was introduced to living at Belle Reve and she is thrilled by Stanley's vulgar and dominant actions towards her.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why does Tennessee William's use the symbol STAR to refer to Stella in the following quote by Blanche: "Stella, oh Stella, Stella! Stella for Star!" Answer: Each character in the play has a symbol attached to him/her. Stella represents Blanche's ideal concerning the fact that she is leading a contented life.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why doesn't Blanche tell Stella the truth about her sordid past? And, what does she use to hide from the truth? Answer: Blanche does not tell Stella the full truth about her time in Laurel. Just as she hides her face from direct light by putting a paper lantern over the bulb, she glosses over the nasty facts of her history and insists on the illusions.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why doesn't Stella share her news of being pregnant when Blanche criticizes her about her being "as plump as a partridge?" Answer: Stella has not yet told Blanche so as not to surprise Blanche's delicate nerves all at once.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why is Blanche emphatic about the phrase "Deliberate cruelty" in talking with Mitch? Answer: Blanche does fib a great deal. She likes magic and illusion and it is 50% of a woman's charm, but she will not intentionally be deliberately cruel to another human being and will not accept that of others either. She claims that she has fibbed to Mitch, but never cruel to him. She never lied in her heart about him.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why is Blanche singing this song? What does it imply? "It's only a paper moon, Just as phony as it can be-But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me!" Answer: Blanche wants others to join her "make-believe" world of illusion.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why is Blanche so nervous about seeing Mitch one evening after Stella, Stanley, Steve and Eunice head to the Four Deuces? What is she expecting from Mitch at this point in her life? Answer: Blanche claims that she is only nervous because she wants things with Mitch to go well, but this is also the end of her line, her last chance: she is clinging to this relationship as a way to make her dream about herself stay alive. She is dependent on Mitch to restore her "honor" and security as a married woman.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why is Mitch not the gentlemen who goes out very much on the weekends? Answer: He has a sick mom and she worries when he is out. He also worries about her and knows he has limited time left with her.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why is Stanley frustrated with Blanche when he says the statement below. Why is Stanley insistent about being a Pole? "I am not a Polack. People from Poland are Poles, not Polacks. But what I am is a one hundred percent American, born and raised in the greatest country on earth and proud as hell of it, so don't ever call me a Polack." Answer: He is angered by the fact that Blanche insults him about being a Polack.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Why was Blanche fired from school? How does this contrast with what Blanche shared with Stella in Scene 1? Answer: She had an affair with a 17 year old student. Blanche shared with Stella that Mr. Graves, the Superintendent, suggested she take a leave of absence. Blanche was on the verge of lunacy.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Would you describe Stella as a loyal character? Explain and give an example. Stella remains loyal to Blanche despite Stanley's stories of her past. She doesn't deny Blanche's instability, but she doesn't want to see all the ugly, physical details. She knows what kind of person Blanche was in the past (She was always too kind to others and they took advantage of her kindness.)
A Streetcar Named Desire
