A Streetcar Named Desire Quiz
24 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does Blanche compare Stanley's behavior to in her remarks?

  • A misunderstood artist
  • A refined scholar from the past
  • An animal with ape-like habits (correct)
  • A cultured gentleman

What phrase does Stella use to express her commitment to her life with Stanley?

  • I want freedom from this life.
  • I wish for a different existence.
  • I am ready to leave everything behind.
  • I am not in anything I want to get out of. (correct)

Which of the following quotes indicates Blanche's desire to escape her past?

  • This party of apes is unbearable.
  • What you are talking about is brutal desire.
  • I want reassurance that nothing unpleasant is known about me. (correct)
  • Maybe he’ll strike you or maybe grunt and kiss you.

What does Blanche accuse herself of during her conversation?

<p>Being a liar (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Blanche's eyes, what does Stanley symbolize in her comments?

<p>The harshness of reality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Blanche's attitude towards Mitch, as indicated by her actions before their date?

<p>She sees him as a means to stability. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche's flirtation with the newspaper collector suggest about her understanding of consent?

<p>She misunderstands the concept of consent. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche mean by referring to 'the name of that rattle-trap streetcar'?

<p>A reflection of her current desires. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary device is demonstrated by the phrase 'loud cackle'?

<p>Auditory imagery (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Stanley referring to Stella as his 'doll' indicate?

<p>His control over her (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept does Mitch’s statement about poker suggest?

<p>Poker games are inappropriate in domestic settings (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What imagery is created through the phrase 'gaining on her fast'?

<p>Kinaesthetic imagery (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Blanche's dissatisfaction with Stanley is exemplified through her reaction to which of the following?

<p>Stella's acceptance of Stanley's behavior (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Blanche describe her feelings about a ‘naked light bulb’?

<p>As intolerable and vulgar (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'all quiet in the Potomac now' allude to?

<p>A moment of peace after conflict (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Stella's peacefulness in bed symbolize?

<p>Nurturing of her pregnancy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche mean when she says, 'Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers'?

<p>She believes in trust without knowing people. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Stella mean when she says, 'I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley'?

<p>She has chosen familial loyalty over romantic love. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'Luck is believing you’re lucky' spoken by Stanley suggests what about his outlook on life?

<p>He thinks luck is purely a mental construct. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Blanche refer to when she mentions 'the blue of the robe in the old Madonna pictures'?

<p>It reflects her longing for the past. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentiment does Blanche express when she reflects on her circumstances, stating, 'Only Poe![…] could do it justice!'?

<p>She believes only tragedy can encompass her story. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the recurring theme of light symbolize in the interactions between Blanche and Stanley?

<p>Illusion and reality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might be implied by Blanche's tragic radiance in her red satin robe?

<p>She is maintaining a facade despite her suffering. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Blanche's character, what does the concept of 'plastic theatre' convey?

<p>It showcases her delusions and subjective experience. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Stanley's Dislike for Blanche

Stanley's dislike for Blanche grows after overhearing her discussing plans to leave with Stella, and her comments about his behavior.

Stella's Loyalty to Stanley

Despite Blanche's attempts to persuade her, Stella's fierce embrace of Stanley demonstrates her unwavering loyalty to him.

Blanche's Description of Desire

Blanche describes Stanley's attraction to Stella as 'brutal desire,' comparing it to a destructive force.

Blanche's Perception of Stanley

Blanche views Stanley as primitive and animalistic, comparing him to an ape and a survivor of the Stone Age.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Blanche's Fear of the Past

Blanche desperately wants to escape her past and its associated trauma, but Stanley's knowledge of her past threatens to expose her.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Blanche's Desperate Need for Security

Blanche is eager for a secure future with Mitch, whom she barely knows, as an escape from her uncertain present.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Blanche's Lack of Consent

Blanche's flirtatious and physical behavior with a young newspaper subscriber demonstrates a lack of understanding about consent.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Blanche's Self-Deception

Blanche acknowledges her deception, but struggles to accept responsibility for her actions and continues to make excuses for her behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Blanche's Dependence

Blanche believes that she can rely on the kindness of strangers, highlighting her vulnerability and optimism despite her difficult circumstances.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Stella's Choice

Stella chooses to believe Stanley over Blanche, ultimately aligning herself with her husband and rejecting her sister.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Stanley's Comfort

Stanley's attempt to comfort Stella after Blanche's departure is a form of manipulation, leading to intimacy and further cementing his dominance.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Plastic Theatre

The play utilizes theatrical techniques like lighting and costumes to showcase Blanche's subjective state and inner world.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Symbolism of Light

The play uses light to contrast Blanche and Stanley; Blanche is often in dim light, while Stanley is bathed in harsh, garish lighting.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Elysian Fields as Symbol

Elysian Fields, the setting of the play, is a symbolic representation of Blanche's longing for escape and a better future.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The Blues as Expression

The blues music featured in the play reflects the themes of loneliness, rejection, and longing for connection in the characters' lives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Theatrical Techniques

The play uses Expressionist techniques to convey Blanche's subjective reality, blurring the lines between what is real and imagined.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Foreshadowing

A literary device where the author hints at future events in the story, creating suspense and anticipation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Auditory Imagery

The use of descriptive language to create a vivid picture of a sound in the reader's mind.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Kinaesthetic Imagery

The use of descriptive language to evoke a sense of movement, action, or physical sensation in the reader.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Zoomorphism

A literary device where human qualities are given to animals, or animals are depicted as having human characteristics.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or event from history, literature, mythology, or pop culture.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How does Stanley's dominance affect Stella?

Stanley's dominance over Stella is seen in his physical strength, controlling behavior, and a tendency to treat her like an object. This creates a power imbalance in their relationship and reinforces the notion that Stanley holds a position of authority over Stella.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What does Blanche's disdain for Stanley reveal about her values?

Blanche's strong disapproval of Stanley's actions and behavior reveals her own set of values, which are likely associated with a more refined and genteel lifestyle. She is repulsed by his vulgarity and physicality. This clash in values exposes the cultural divide between the two characters.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How are Stella's pregnancy and Stanley's sporadic violence connected?

The baby represents a new level of commitment and dependency between Stella and Stanley. However, her pregnancy also highlights the risk of Stanley's violence becoming a threat to her and the child. It creates a complex dynamic where Stella is both drawn to Stanley's passion and bound to him by the responsibility of their unborn child.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is Stella's ambivalent position towards Stanley?

Stella is torn between her attraction to Stanley's raw passion and her awareness of his violent tendencies. While she acknowledges his aggression, she rationalizes it as a necessary element of their relationship. This creates a sense of both love and fear in her relationship dynamic.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The theme of 'power' in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'

The play explores the thematic tension of power dynamics between characters, particularly between Stanley and Stella. Stanley exercises dominance through physical strength and aggressive behavior, while Stella struggles to maintain autonomy within this unbalanced relationship.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What does the phrase 'all quiet in the Potomac now?' signify?

It's an allusion to the poem 'All Quiet in the Potomac Tonight', which is about the Civil War, suggesting that the peace is superficial and an illusion. It points to the underlying tensions and impending possibility of conflict, mirroring the delicate equilibrium in the relationships within A Streetcar Named Desire.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How does the imagery of lightness and darkness contribute to the play's themes?

The play uses contrasting images of lightness and darkness to symbolize the characters' inner states and the themes of hope and despair. For example, Blanche's use of lightbulbs to create a romantic atmosphere reflects her longing for beauty and a happier life. However, this is juxtaposed with the oppressive darkness of Stanley's world, symbolic of aggression and the realities of their situation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser