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Questions and Answers
Ruby's name _ _ _ her if she'd been _ _ _ _ her mother.
Ruby's name _ _ _ her if she'd been _ _ _ _ her mother.
might have suited
She _ _ _ _ in that family.
She _ _ _ _ in that family.
looked like a changeling
There's _ _ _ _ _ in this house!
There's _ _ _ _ _ in this house!
nothing for me to do
The _ _ _ _ peace.
The _ _ _ _ peace.
Delighted with _ _ _ Ruby quiet.
Delighted with _ _ _ Ruby quiet.
Something _ _ disappointing.
Something _ _ disappointing.
And _ _ _ left alone.
And _ _ _ left alone.
Ruby _ _ on her page _ _ _ family.
Ruby _ _ on her page _ _ _ family.
Appeared _ _ enough.
Appeared _ _ enough.
What _ _ _ _ exactly?
What _ _ _ _ exactly?
What did Ruby steal?
What did Ruby steal?
Wailed _ _ _.
Wailed _ _ _.
What did Ruby lament?
What did Ruby lament?
Foraged _ _ _ of biscuits _ _ wardrobe.
Foraged _ _ _ of biscuits _ _ wardrobe.
Whose _ _ _ _ as ever.
Whose _ _ _ _ as ever.
She _ _ _ and _ _ key.
She _ _ _ and _ _ key.
What is uncharacteristic restraint?
What is uncharacteristic restraint?
Something _ _ _ story _ _ protection.
Something _ _ _ story _ _ protection.
She carried _ _ _ dancer's _ _ way.
She carried _ _ _ dancer's _ _ way.
They'd _ _ _ right _ _ parenting.
They'd _ _ _ right _ _ parenting.
Strained _ _ _ _ explanation.
Strained _ _ _ _ explanation.
What kind of weeping is mentioned?
What kind of weeping is mentioned?
Bracing _ _ _ with Ruby.
Bracing _ _ _ with Ruby.
Dalia _ _ eyes.
Dalia _ _ eyes.
For all _ _ _ to things sexual, _ _ __ opening the door, _ _ _ might be _ _ _ side.
For all _ _ _ to things sexual, _ _ __ opening the door, _ _ _ might be _ _ _ side.
Do _ _ _ know?
Do _ _ _ know?
But the _ _ _ _ house was blissful, _ _ _ _ _ to her quiet _ _ _ _ _ garden.
But the _ _ _ _ house was blissful, _ _ _ _ _ to her quiet _ _ _ _ _ garden.
What is an organic tomato?
What is an organic tomato?
What kind of glasses does Dalia wear?
What kind of glasses does Dalia wear?
She'd _ _ _ days.
She'd _ _ _ days.
Dalia, _ _, _ _ her husband.
Dalia, _ _, _ _ her husband.
It _ _ _ she'd _ _ _ _ forever.
It _ _ _ she'd _ _ _ _ forever.
Not _ _ _, who _ _ attractive.
Not _ _ _, who _ _ attractive.
Carrie _ _ _ on her _ _ _, so well known _ _ _ _ of her own self.
Carrie _ _ _ on her _ _ _, so well known _ _ _ _ of her own self.
It _ _ _ she'd have _ _ _ forever.
It _ _ _ she'd have _ _ _ forever.
Sometimes _ _ _ _ the clock stonily.
Sometimes _ _ _ _ the clock stonily.
Exploding _ _ _ _ or defeat.
Exploding _ _ _ _ or defeat.
And _ _ _ practice.
And _ _ _ practice.
Piano wasn't _ _ _ _ for, to _ _ _ _ herself.
Piano wasn't _ _ _ _ for, to _ _ _ _ herself.
______ unseen.
______ unseen.
Carrie _ _ _ _ dinner party.
Carrie _ _ _ _ dinner party.
Perhaps _ _ _ her existence.
Perhaps _ _ _ her existence.
Carrie _ downstairs.
Carrie _ downstairs.
She _ _ _ him now _ _ _ safe.
She _ _ _ him now _ _ _ safe.
What did Carrie take to heart?
What did Carrie take to heart?
She _ _ _ the door _ _ him.
She _ _ _ the door _ _ him.
Carrie _ _, _ be where _ _ _ them talking.
Carrie _ _, _ be where _ _ _ them talking.
What does it mean to be disembodied?
What does it mean to be disembodied?
What kind of letter is mentioned?
What kind of letter is mentioned?
Her _ _ _ nightdress.
Her _ _ _ nightdress.
Not _ _ _, like one of _ _ _ who were _ _ at her.
Not _ _ _, like one of _ _ _ who were _ _ at her.
What does pushing him away symbolize?
What does pushing him away symbolize?
But _ _ _ in any _ _ _ _ to her guests.
But _ _ _ in any _ _ _ _ to her guests.
What are stark flashes?
What are stark flashes?
It _ _ _ a grown _ _ _ _ to the _ _ _ child.
It _ _ _ a grown _ _ _ _ to the _ _ _ child.
Dom _ _ _ _ mother.
Dom _ _ _ _ mother.
Writing his _ _.
Writing his _ _.
Full of _ _ _ other lives, _ _ _ their heads.
Full of _ _ _ other lives, _ _ _ their heads.
Resented _ _ _ brooding overhead.
Resented _ _ _ brooding overhead.
The _ _ _ if a hurricane _ _ _ it.
The _ _ _ if a hurricane _ _ _ it.
All of _ _ _ _ Nancy Blackett, _ _ _ girl.
All of _ _ _ _ Nancy Blackett, _ _ _ girl.
In _ _ _ _ housekeeping.
In _ _ _ _ housekeeping.
Would _ _ _ the past:
Would _ _ _ the past:
She didn't _ _ _ _ about this.
She didn't _ _ _ _ about this.
She _ _ _ _ passion to break _, _ _ this world.
She _ _ _ _ passion to break _, _ _ this world.
Still, the _ _ _ 'ripe old age' _ _ _ horror;
Still, the _ _ _ 'ripe old age' _ _ _ horror;
The _ _ _ by the _ _ _ accumulation.
The _ _ _ by the _ _ _ accumulation.
The _ _ _ if she _ _ _ _ own home.
The _ _ _ if she _ _ _ _ own home.
In their absence, her parents were more distinctly present to her than usual, as individuals with their own unfathomable adult preoccupations.
In their absence, her parents were more distinctly present to her than usual, as individuals with their own unfathomable adult preoccupations.
Made _ _ on.
Made _ _ on.
Her _ _ _ in the chaos.
Her _ _ _ in the chaos.
The _ _ implacable.
The _ _ implacable.
What is impersonal print?
What is impersonal print?
What voice is associated with detachment?
What voice is associated with detachment?
What is scored into awareness?
What is scored into awareness?
What does it mean to tear jaggedly?
What does it mean to tear jaggedly?
What does it mean to feel strong dread?
What does it mean to feel strong dread?
What is something horrible and so plausible?
What is something horrible and so plausible?
It _ _ _ _ that she was _ _ _ _ own dreams.
It _ _ _ _ that she was _ _ _ _ own dreams.
There were _ _ _ scattered on the floor _ _ _ _ was working.
There were _ _ _ scattered on the floor _ _ _ _ was working.
What does gloating mean?
What does gloating mean?
What does it mean to feel exposed and vulnerable?
What does it mean to feel exposed and vulnerable?
Study Notes
Ruby and Family Dynamics
- Ruby feels disconnected from her family, highlighted by the reference to her name and her mother’s traits.
- Portrayed as a changeling, Ruby's appearance contrasts sharply with her family's, further emphasizing her outsider status.
- Ruby expresses frustration and lack of purpose in her home environment, which feels suffocating to her.
Emotional Isolation
- The phrase "the three left behind in peace" underscores a divide, indicating Ruby is often excluded from family interactions.
- Ruby's tears for her family while writing symbolize her emotional struggle and feelings of being an outcast.
Relationships and Maturity
- Dalia, Ruby's mother, is depicted as neglectful, prioritizing her own comfort over her daughter’s needs.
- Dalia's professional openness contrasts with her inability to address Ruby’s emotional struggles, marking a significant disconnection.
Themes of Childhood and Transition
- Carrie exhibits childish behaviors, feeling out of place and disenfranchised amid adult conversations, a reflection of her innocence.
- The narrative captures Carrie’s desire to understand and connect with adulthood, yet highlights her disillusionment with it.
Vulnerability of Women
- The narrative illustrates the vulnerabilities faced by women, both in familial roles and relationships with men, particularly through the portrayal of Dalia and Carrie.
- Dalia’s reluctance to engage with Ruby on sensitive topics reveals a broader theme of isolation within familial relationships.
Symbolism and Metaphors
- Elements like "organic tomatoes" and "serious psychotherapist glasses" contrast health and appearance with Ruby's unhealthy lifestyle.
- Symbols of chaos, as presented in descriptions of rooms and emotions, encapsulate the disorder within their lives.
Complex Emotions
- The dark undertones of growing up are captured through children's perspectives, representing their transition from innocence to awareness of adult complexities.
- The tension between childhood freedom and adult responsibilities is central, particularly expressed through the little girl's chaotic environment.
Conclusion
- The text presents a rich exploration of familial disconnection, emotional isolation, and the complexities of transitioning through childhood and adulthood.
- Themes of vulnerability, neglect, and the harsh realities of adult life serve as critical components of the narrative, offering insights into character development and emotional landscapes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key quotes from the 'Bad Dreams' anthology through flashcards. This interactive quiz will help you understand the themes and character dynamics in the narrative, particularly focusing on Ruby's identity and conflict within her family. Engage with each quote and deepen your comprehension of the text.
