Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Street Car Named Desire > Blanche > Flashcards

Blanche Flashcards

(66 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Who is Blanche Dubois?

A

The anti-hero in the play characterized by a narcissistic personality disorder and alcoholism as a coping mechanism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What coping mechanism does Blanche Dubois use?

A

Alcoholism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What traumatic event deeply affects Blanche Dubois throughout her life?

A

The suicide of her first love, Allan Grey.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

At what age did Blanche first meet Allan Grey?

A

Sixteen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What incident occurs during a ball involving Blanche and Allan Grey?

A

Blanche insults and belittles him when she sees him with another man.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What happens to Allan Grey after the incident at the ball?

A

He runs outside and dies by shooting himself in the head.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What happens to Blanche’s life after the death of Allan Grey?

A

Her life deteriorates; she loses her family, Belle Reve, and her job.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why does Blanche lose her job as an English teacher?

A

For sleeping with a seventeen-year-old student.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does Blanche do after losing her job and family?

A

She indulges in a string of affairs and then visits her sister in New Orleans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the family plantation owned by Blanche Dubois called?

A

Belle Reve.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a key characteristic of Blanche Dubois and Stella’s background?

A

They come from the Old South with an aristocratic heritage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How does Blanche Dubois flaunt her aristocratic background?

A

Through her cultured manner, speech, and literature references.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Fill in the blank: Blanche Dubois is characterized by a _______ personality disorder.

A

narcissistic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

True or False: Blanche Dubois’s life improves after moving to New Orleans.

A

False

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What label is given to Blanche regarding her truthfulness?

A

Manipulative and a Pathological Liar

Blanche bends the truth to fit her stories, affecting Stella and Mitch.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Who are the main characters affected by Blanche’s manipulation?

A

Stella and Mitch

Blanche manipulates Mitch into loving her portrayed version and influences Stella’s opinions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does Blanche claim when caught lying?

A

“It is a part of womanhood”

She believes her lies help her confidence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How does Blanche manipulate Stella?

A

By belittling her and seeking attention

Stella is influenced by Blanche’s views on Stanley.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is Blanche’s attitude towards her aging?

A

Insecure and Sensitive

She avoids bright light and seeks to maintain her appearance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does Blanche express her loneliness?

A

By stating Stella is all she has in the world

She expresses fear of being alone in the first scene.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What mutual condition do Blanche and Mitch share in their relationship?

A

Loneliness

Mitch comforts Blanche by acknowledging their shared loneliness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What behavior does Blanche exhibit due to her insecurity?

A

Flirtatious and seductive

She fishes for compliments and flirts with Stanley.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What does Blanche often talk about that implies nudity?

A

Bathing

This is a recurring theme in her interactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Fill in the blank: Blanche is extremely _______.

A

Lonely

Her loneliness is a central theme in the play.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
True or False: Blanche avoids spending time in bright light.
True ## Footnote Her avoidance of bright light reflects her insecurities.
26
What does Blanche Dubois constantly try to relive?
Her youth when she was truly happy ## Footnote This includes her past relationships with young soldiers and a student.
27
How is Blanche's delusional nature portrayed?
She hears the Polka and gunshots, prefers magic over realism, and often speaks to herself ## Footnote Blanche's delusions help her escape her traumatic past.
28
Who is Stanley in relation to Blanche?
Blanche's brother-in-law ## Footnote He symbolizes crude masculinity and is characterized as loud and vulgar.
29
How does Stanley view Blanche?
As a savage and uncivilized brute ## Footnote He feels threatened by her presence and influence over Stella.
30
What does Stanley resent about Blanche?
Living in his house, drinking his liquor, and influencing his wife ## Footnote He believes she belittles him and takes advantage of his hospitality.
31
What act does Stanley commit against Blanche?
Rape ## Footnote This act is seen as his brutal way of overpowering her.
32
What does Stanley's behavior represent in the context of masculinity?
The Darwinian 'fittest', asserting dominance through violence ## Footnote He strikes back physically when his position is threatened.
33
Fill in the blank: Blanche prefers _______ over realism.
magic
34
What does Stanley's character symbolize?
Crude masculinity ## Footnote He is the antithesis of what Blanche appreciates.
35
True or False: Blanche often gets lost in her thoughts and can hear voices in her head.
True
36
How does Blanche attempt to escape her past?
Through delusions and fantasies ## Footnote She engages in acts that connect her to her youth.
37
Who is Allan Grey?
Blanche's young husband who killed himself
38
What caused Allan Grey to commit suicide?
Blanche reacted in disgust after seeing him having homosexual sex
39
How does Allan's presence affect Blanche in the play?
It haunts her as she constantly hears the Polka and his killing gunshot
40
What does Allan's death symbolize for Blanche?
It represents her guilt and is a driving force of the play
41
How does Allan's memory contrast with Stella's recollection?
Stella remembers an innocent Blanche, while Allan's memory shows her transformation
42
What sound does Blanche associate with Allan's presence?
The Polka and his killing gunshot
43
Fill in the blank: Allan's death changed Blanche into the woman that she is in the play, contrasting with the innocent _______ Stella remembers.
[belle]
44
Who is Harold Mitchell (Mitch) in the context of the play?
A poker player who frequents the Kowalski residence and is depicted as sensitive and well-mannered. ## Footnote Mitch represents a chance for Blanche to redeem herself from her past.
45
What qualities does Mitch showcase throughout the play?
Virtues of loyalty, kindness, love, and honesty. ## Footnote These qualities make him a stark contrast to other characters.
46
How does Mitch react when Blanche confides in him about Allan?
He comforts her and shows sympathy and compassion for her trauma. ## Footnote This moment highlights his decent character.
47
What event shatters the illusion Mitch has about Blanche?
Stanley exposes everything Blanche indulged in after Allan's death. ## Footnote This revelation leads to Mitch's understanding of Blanche's true situation.
48
What is Mitch's emotional state when he is at the poker table after Blanche is led away?
He is visibly upset and breaks down. ## Footnote He blames Stanley for meddling with his relationship with Blanche.
49
What is the ultimate outcome for Mitch by the end of the play?
He is left alone and lonely, similar to Blanche. ## Footnote This reflects the tragic nature of both characters' arcs.
50
Fill in the blank: Mitch develops as a chance for Blanche to ______ from her past.
[redeem herself]
51
True or False: Mitch is portrayed as a villain in the play.
False ## Footnote Mitch is depicted as a decent character who genuinely cares for Blanche.
52
quote talking about Mr Edgar Allan Pole
"Only poe!Only Mr Edgar Allan Pole-could do it justice" Dark Romantics that emphasised that humanity was prone to sin and self destruction
53
Scene 9 quotes about not wanting realism and deceit...
"I dont want realism.I want magic" "i dont tell them the truth, i tell what ought to be truth "dont turn the light on"
54
Stella talking about Blanche at the end of her gradual mental breakdown...
"Nobody,nobody was as tender and trusting as she was.But people like you abused her, and forced her to change" suggests an innocence which was once there and was slowly buried over the years repetition of "nobody" emphasises the idea that she was once trusting and pure like her name
55
Blanche talking about forgiveness quote...
"It is the one unforgivable thing in my opinion and it the only thing i have never, never been guilty..." Repetition of "never" but also talking about forgiveness constantly something that she struggles with when it comes to herself coping mechanism and fabricating the illusion to protect herself from the reality of rejection. links to her deliberate cruelty to her husband Allan Grey so maybe she regrets acting foolishly and impulsively
56
Blanche flirting with Stanley quote...
"I called him a little boy and laughed and flirted. Yes I was flirting with your husband" Openly admits to Stella that she flirts with Stanley-playing a role in Stella's scepticism at the rape "little boy"-also calls Mitch a boy later in the play-this is a glimpse into her obsession with young men "I've got to be good and keep my hands of children" Enjoys intimacies with young boys but knows she shouldn't. link to her obsession with youth and also relieving what she once had and wants back. Almost a coping mechanism and the only way she is able to interact with men.
57
Blanche constantly referring to Allan as a boy quotes
"The boy-the boy died" "poems a dead boy wrote..." "He was a boy just a boy...the boy i had married and an older man"
58
Blanche quote talking about kindness of strangers
"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" Drips with irony-she has depended on strangers many times but left battered, bruised and discarded Bitter as she still clings to the prospect of kindness, something we haven't seen in the play
59
Quote about Blanche and her intimacies with strangers...
"I think it was just panic, just panic, that drove me from one to another, hunting for some kind of protection" glaringly obvious to her that all these strangers were just kind to her because they were offered sex Even, during the play everyone ,but stella, is a stranger to the penniless Blanche but she is denied sympathy from them much like the people who exiled her from Laurel
60
Blanche talking about her insecurities...
"How strange that I should be called a destitute women! When I have all these treasures locked in my heart" "physical beauty is passing. A transitory possession. But the beauty of the mind and the richness of the heart-and I have all these things-..." tries to convince herself of who she wants to be. when she talks about "physical beauty" her tone evokes a sense of acceptance to ageing and loss of attractiveness however this is ironic-she constantly hides from the light, puts herself in sexual situations which either validate her ageing or make her feel physically worthy
61
Quotes about avoidance of light...
"i wont be looked at in that merciless glare" "Put it over the light bulb" "She lights a candle snub and puts it in a bottle" "and put a-paper lantern over the light..." "I cant stand a naked lightbulb, anymore than i can a rude remark or a vulgar action"
62
fear of the light quote and then the backstory that explains this
"[fearfully]Light?Which light?What for?" "all at once and much, much too completely...suddenly turned a blinding light that has always been something that has always been left half in shadow...i was unlucky deluded" metaphor of love as a blinding light that entered her otherwise dim life negative words so not a positive association suitable diction as her love with Allan ended in violent tragedy William twists the usual symbolism of light(positive and truthful) to portray too much light can blind a person and therefore the harsh realities of the world twist Blanche into a fantasy world or "delusions"
63
Quote talking about past life to light now
"the searchlight which had been turned on the world again and never for one moment since has there be any light that stronger than this kitchen candle" Multi-layered metaphor for love and truth "searchlight"-strong harsh light that also exposed the truth of their marriage blames herself for the failure of the marriage because of her insenstivity and inadequacy "blinding light"-her marriage was too perfect There is an extended metaphor of this "Searchlight" and "blinding light"-unable to see clearly at first as it takes time to ajust to it. Once adjusted we can see everything clearly Blanche only saw reality later on and snuffed it out. So later never goes near this reality exposing light preferring darkness
64
Bathing quotes...
"brand new human being" "I take hot baths for my nerves. Hydro-therapy they call it." "my nerves are in knots. Is this bathroom occupied?" frequency of the bath constantly shows her continual disturbance by something guilt for the past-needing to purify the past
65
Mitch and Blanche marriage quotes...
"Then marry me, Mitch" shows her desperation to be married even when he forced himself upon her feminist lens-showed how women were dependent on a patriach [Fumbling to embrace her]"What ive been missing all summer" Mitch think hes entitled to Blanche because she has had previous casual sex He will do it by force as well which emphasises this gender discrimination and male entitlement. Mitch can endulge in casual sex and still be "clean" because hes a man but its not justifiable for Blanche
66
Describing Blanche as a moth quote...
"There is something about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes, that suggests a moth" moth is a fragile creature of the night A moth flits around light and is eventually scorched and killed by it Blanche flits around men-Allan, Stanley and Mitch who eventually destroy her

Street Car Named Desire (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions