A Streetcar Named Desire: Blanche Dubois Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What literary technique is used when a writer drops hints that warn the reader about what is about to happen in the story?

Foreshadowing

What does Blanche Dubois' name symbolize? (Explain both words of her name)

Blanche means "white", which symbolizes purity and innocence. Dubois means "of wood", which symbolizes the strong, durable nature of wood. Blanche is ironic as she is far from innocent, and unstable.

What are the names of the three streetcars that Blanche rides in Scene One?

The three streetcars are named Desire, Cemeteries, and Elysian Fields.

Which of the following is a direct result of Allan Grey's death: the constant sound of gunshots, the Varsouviana Polka, the constant use of paper lanterns, the smell of the sea?

The Varsouviana Polka Signup and view all the answers

What is most important for Stanley to achieve in the play?

Stanley's actions are driven by his need for dominance, often using physical and violent actions to assert his masculine power, in a way that suggests a primitive and instinctive drive. Signup and view all the answers

What is the metaphorical meaning of water in the play? (Select all that apply)

Cleansing/Purification Signup and view all the answers

What are Blanche's two coping mechanisms in the play? (Select all that apply)

Lying Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT identified as a reason for Blanche's fear of bright light? (Select all that apply)

Exposing her intelligence Signup and view all the answers

Blanche believes she has always been kind to the people around her.

False Signup and view all the answers

Stanley's treatment of Blanche's trunk signifies the violence that he will later inflict upon her.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST describes the relationship between Blanche and Mitch? (Select one)

A fleeting attraction based on lies and delusion Signup and view all the answers

The "paper moon" in the play is a symbol of Blanche's desire for a more stable life.

False Signup and view all the answers

Stanley believes that his physical strength and power gives him a right to control and dominate his wife, Stella.

True Signup and view all the answers

The loss of what event ultimately causes Blanche's mental breakdown?

The loss of Belle Reve Signup and view all the answers

What is the most striking realization that Blanche comes to in Scene 6?

Blanche realizes that nobody was as loving and trusting as she was when she was a girl. She believes that people like Stanley have abused her, and forced her to change. Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche hope to escape from by taking baths?

Blanche uses baths as a ritual to cleanse herself of the guilt and pain of her past, seeking to purify herself and start anew. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A Streetcar Named Desire: Blanche Dubois Character Profiles

Blanche Dubois is the anti-heroine in the play, Tennessee Williams portrays her with a narcissistic personality disorder.
She uses alcoholism to cope with her past from the family plantation, Belle Reve.
She had affairs with many men, and lost her job as an English teacher for sleeping with a seventeen-year-old student.
She suffers from delusions. She is obsessed with her past, especially the death of Allan Grey, constantly reliving her youth and illusions.
She is manipulative and a pathological liar, bending the truth.
She is insecure and sensitive about her age, often seeking validation and attention.
She is lonely, and her relationships are often built on mutual loneliness.
She flirts and is manipulative, tries to win over others through seduction and charm.
Blanche's trunk is a symbol of her past, holding her possessions, clothes and love letters etc. This represents her regret.
Her relationship with Stanley is characterized by conflict and tension, reflecting the clash between social classes.
Through her relationships, especially with Mitch, we see how she struggles with her past and the reality of her current situation.
She is portrayed as a fading Southern belle, highlighting the decline of the Old South.
Blanche is characterized by a delusion and sinking into madness at a young age.
Her character is also examined through the context of Tennessee Williams, whose life experiences are mirrored in the play itself.

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Description

Explore the complex character of Blanche Dubois in Tennessee Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. This quiz delves into her personality traits, struggles with addiction, manipulative behavior, and her deep-seated insecurities. Understand the nuances of her character and her tragic journey.