Bad Dreams Anthology Quotes

Questions and Answers

Ruby's name _ _ _ her if she'd been _ _ _ _ her mother.

might have suited

She _ _ _ _ in that family.

looked like a changeling

There's _ _ _ _ _ in this house!

nothing for me to do

The _ _ _ _ peace.

three left behind in Signup and view all the answers

Delighted with _ _ _ Ruby quiet.

whatever was keeping Signup and view all the answers

Something _ _ disappointing.

tainting and Signup and view all the answers

And _ _ _ left alone.

Lady Carole was Signup and view all the answers

Ruby _ _ on her page _ _ _ family.

dropped tears for her dear Signup and view all the answers

Appeared _ _ enough.

downstairs chastely Signup and view all the answers

What _ _ _ _ exactly?

had they done wrong Signup and view all the answers

What did Ruby steal?

money Signup and view all the answers

Wailed _ _ _.

at the ceiling Signup and view all the answers

What did Ruby lament?

lamented Signup and view all the answers

Foraged _ _ _ of biscuits _ _ wardrobe.

in the stash of biscuits in her Signup and view all the answers

Whose _ _ _ _ as ever.

ordinary reality was flavourless Signup and view all the answers

She _ _ _ and _ _ key.

had locked it and hidden the Signup and view all the answers

What is uncharacteristic restraint?

uncharacteristic restraint Signup and view all the answers

Something _ _ _ story _ _ protection.

delicate in her needed Signup and view all the answers

She carried _ _ _ dancer's _ _ way.

herself in that exquisitely conscious Signup and view all the answers

They'd _ _ _ right _ _ parenting.

read all the Signup and view all the answers

Strained _ _ _ _ explanation.

and full of reasoned Signup and view all the answers

What kind of weeping is mentioned?

stormy sessions of Signup and view all the answers

Bracing _ _ _ with Ruby.

herself for conflict Signup and view all the answers

Dalia _ _ eyes.

closed her Signup and view all the answers

For all _ _ _ to things sexual, _ _ __ opening the door, _ _ _ might be _ _ _ side.

her professional openness afraid of what might be on the other Signup and view all the answers

Do _ _ _ know?

I want to Signup and view all the answers

But the _ _ _ _ house was blissful, _ _ _ _ _ to her quiet _ _ _ _ _ garden.

peace in the quiet addicted to her quiet hours alone in the walled Signup and view all the answers

What is an organic tomato?

organic tomato Signup and view all the answers

What kind of glasses does Dalia wear?

serious psychotherapist Signup and view all the answers

She'd _ _ _ days.

disowned her dancing Signup and view all the answers

Dalia, _ _, _ _ her husband.

also lamenting, wailed to Signup and view all the answers

It _ _ _ she'd _ _ _ _ forever.

seemed as though she'd have to sit there Signup and view all the answers

Not _ _ _, who _ _ attractive.

like her mother, was opulently Signup and view all the answers

Carrie _ _ _ on her _ _ _, so well known _ _ _ _ of her own self.

fingered the objects on her mother's dressing table, parts Signup and view all the answers

It _ _ _ she'd have _ _ _ forever.

seemed as though she'd have to sit there Signup and view all the answers

Sometimes _ _ _ _ the clock stonily.

she just stared at Signup and view all the answers

Exploding _ _ _ _ or defeat.

with shouts of triumph Signup and view all the answers

And _ _ _ practice.

doing her piano Signup and view all the answers

Piano wasn't _ _ _ _ for, to _ _ _ _ herself.

the answer she'd hoped, what was unsolved in Signup and view all the answers

______ unseen.

Carrie watched Signup and view all the answers

Carrie _ _ _ _ dinner party.

was spying on the Signup and view all the answers

Perhaps _ _ _ her existence.

only vaguely remembering Signup and view all the answers

Carrie _ downstairs.

bounded Signup and view all the answers

She _ _ _ him now _ _ _ safe.

was performing for him now that she was Signup and view all the answers

What did Carrie take to heart?

everything Signup and view all the answers

She _ _ _ the door _ _ him.

longed to hear shut behind Signup and view all the answers

Carrie _ _, _ be where _ _ _ them talking.

crept upstairs, to Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to be disembodied?

she was disembodied Signup and view all the answers

What kind of letter is mentioned?

stupid letter Signup and view all the answers

Her _ _ _ nightdress.

nakedness under her Signup and view all the answers

Not _ _ _, like one of _ _ _ who were _ _ at her.

suavely and sexily, those flirty men who were always grabbing Signup and view all the answers

What does pushing him away symbolize?

pushing him away in the teasing, charming way she pushed away Signup and view all the answers

But _ _ _ in any _ _ _ _ to her guests.

she didn't seem in any hurry Signup and view all the answers

What are stark flashes?

sharp contrasts in her bedroom Signup and view all the answers

It _ _ _ a grown _ _ _ _ to the _ _ _ child.

was strange that a grown man could be reduced to the listlessness of a Signup and view all the answers

Dom _ _ _ _ mother.

grabbed hold of her Signup and view all the answers

Writing his _ _.

weather report Signup and view all the answers

Full of _ _ _ other lives, _ _ _ their heads.

the furniture of pressing down on Signup and view all the answers

Resented _ _ _ brooding overhead.

the neighbours always Signup and view all the answers

The _ _ _ if a hurricane _ _ _ it.

room looked as if a hurricane had blown through Signup and view all the answers

All of _ _ _ _ Nancy Blackett, _ _ _ girl.

them wanted to be Nancy Blackett, the strutting pirate Signup and view all the answers

In _ _ _ _ housekeeping.

charge of cooking and Signup and view all the answers

Would _ _ _ the past:

one day become Signup and view all the answers

She didn't _ _ _ _ about this.

want to tell anyone Signup and view all the answers

She _ _ _ _ passion to break _, _ _ this world.

wanted in a sudden something, to disrupt Signup and view all the answers

Still, the _ _ _ 'ripe old age' _ _ _ horror;

idea of her was full of Signup and view all the answers

The _ _ _ by the _ _ _ accumulation.

child was struck by the melancholy of this Signup and view all the answers

The _ _ _ if she _ _ _ _ own home.

child felt as if she were alone in her Signup and view all the answers

In their absence, her parents were more distinctly present to her than usual, as individuals with their own unfathomable adult preoccupations.

Signup and view all the answers

Made _ _ on.

no sound Signup and view all the answers

Her _ _ _ in the chaos.

whole body rejoiced Signup and view all the answers

The _ _ implacable.

darkness was Signup and view all the answers

What is impersonal print?

impersonal print Signup and view all the answers

What voice is associated with detachment?

businesslike voice Signup and view all the answers

What is scored into awareness?

scored into her awareness Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to tear jaggedly?

tore jaggedly Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to feel strong dread?

strong dread Signup and view all the answers

What is something horrible and so plausible?

something horrible and so plausible Signup and view all the answers

It _ _ _ _ that she was _ _ _ _ own dreams.

didn't occur to her that she was the author of her Signup and view all the answers

There were _ _ _ scattered on the floor _ _ _ _ was working.

threads and pins around where her mother Signup and view all the answers

What does gloating mean?

gloating Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to feel exposed and vulnerable?

exposed and vulnerable Signup and view all the answers

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

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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.