Other Characters

Question 1

Who is Mitch in relation to Blanche?

Answer 1

Mitch is Blanche’s main romantic interest

Question 2

What is Mitch’s relationship with Stanley?

Answer 2

Mitch is Stanley’s colleague and poker-playing friend

Question 3

How is Mitch initially portrayed in the play?

Answer 3

As a working-class man

Question 4

What distinguishes Mitch from the other characters?

Answer 4

Mitch is portrayed as a sensitive gentleman

Question 5

What type of clothing is Mitch described as wearing?

Answer 5

Blue denim work clothes

Question 6

How does Mitch’s dialogue contribute to his characterization?

Answer 6

Characterized mainly through self-disparaging comments and others’ opinions

Question 7

How is Mitch’s demeanor described?

Answer 7

Gentle and sensitive

Question 8

What does Mitch prioritize despite being mocked?

Answer 8

Leaving early from games to tend to his sick mother

Question 9

What does Mitch’s treatment of Blanche signify?

Answer 9

He treats her with respect and is sympathetic

Question 10

What does Mitch realize about his and Blanche’s situations?

Answer 10

They are both lonely

Question 11

How does Mitch’s masculinity compare to Stanley’s?

Answer 11

Mitch is masculine but sensitive, contrasting with Stanley’s strong, objectifying nature

Question 12

Fill in the blank: Mitch is characterized as a _______ male.

Answer 12

Beta

Question 13

How does Mitch greet Blanche when they first meet?

Answer 13

‘How do you do?’

Question 14

What theme does Mitch’s character highlight in the play?

Answer 14

The contrast between sensitivity and dominance

Question 15

Who is Mitch in relation to Blanche?

Answer 15

Mitch is Blanche’s main romantic interest

Question 16

What is Mitch’s relationship with Stanley?

Answer 16

Mitch is Stanley’s colleague and poker-playing friend

Question 17

How is Mitch initially portrayed in the play?

Answer 17

As a working-class man

Question 18

What distinguishes Mitch from the other characters?

Answer 18

Mitch is portrayed as a sensitive gentleman

Question 19

What type of clothing is Mitch described as wearing?

Answer 19

Blue denim work clothes

Question 20

How does Mitch’s dialogue contribute to his characterization?

Answer 20

Characterized mainly through self-disparaging comments and others’ opinions

Question 21

How is Mitch’s demeanor described?

Answer 21

Gentle and sensitive

Question 22

What does Mitch prioritize despite being mocked?

Answer 22

Leaving early from games to tend to his sick mother

Question 23

What does Mitch’s treatment of Blanche signify?

Answer 23

He treats her with respect and is sympathetic

Question 24

What does Mitch realize about his and Blanche’s situations?

Answer 24

They are both lonely

Question 25

How does Mitch's masculinity compare to Stanley's?

Answer 25

Mitch is masculine but sensitive, contrasting with Stanley's strong, objectifying nature

Question 26

Fill in the blank: Mitch is characterized as a _______ male.

Answer 26

Beta

Question 27

How does Mitch greet Blanche when they first meet?

Answer 27

'How do you do?'

Question 28

What theme does Mitch's character highlight in the play?

Answer 28

The contrast between sensitivity and dominance

Question 29

What is the role of minor characters in a story?

Answer 29

They can act as catalysts to further the plot or shed light on the main characters.

Question 30

Describe Allan Gray as a character.

Answer 30

A complex absent character who is unseen yet omnipresent.

Question 31

What significant event occurs related to Allan Gray?

Answer 31

He dies by suicide after Blanche expresses her disgust at seeing him with an older man.

Question 32

What impact does Allan Gray's death have on Blanche Dubois?

Answer 32

It ends her innocence and begins her downward spiral, haunted by guilt.

Question 33

What does Blanche search for in her relationships?

Answer 33

She searches for Allan Gray in all the young boys she beds.

Question 34

What does the Young Man in the play symbolize?

Answer 34

Blanche's obsession with finding Allan Gray.

Question 35

What theatrical technique does Williams use to symbolize Allan's omnipresence?

Answer 35

Plastic Theatre, including props, sound, and stage directions.

Question 36

What song is associated with Allan Gray's suicide?

Answer 36

The Varsouviana Polka.

Question 37

How does Blanche experience the Varsouviana Polka in the play?

Answer 37

She hears it in her head until a gunshot sounds when she is stressed.

Question 38

Who can hear the Varsouviana Polka in the play?

Answer 38

Only the audience and Blanche; other characters cannot hear it.

Question 39

What is an example of dramatic irony in the play?

Answer 39

The audience knows the significance of the Varsouviana Polka while other characters do not.

Question 40

What type of irony is present in the use of the Varsouviana Polka?

Answer 40

Situational irony, as an upbeat polka reminds of a grim suicide.

Question 41

Who is Shep Huntleigh in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'?

Answer 41

A past suitor of Blanche who represents Old America and her mental deterioration ## Footnote Shep is referred to by Blanche as someone who can help her and Stella financially.

Question 42

What does Shep Huntleigh symbolize in the play?

Answer 42

Blanche's mental instability and her hope for a better life ## Footnote He becomes increasingly real to Blanche as her mental state worsens.

Question 43

What is the role of the young man in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'?

Answer 43

A collector for the newspaper who represents Blanche's sexual past and desires ## Footnote He is involved with Blanche when she steals a kiss from him.

Question 44

What does the young man symbolize for Blanche?

Answer 44

Her obsession with young boys, stemming from her fixation on Allan Grey ## Footnote This reflects her past affairs with soldiers and younger students.

Question 45

How does Blanche's mention of Shep Huntleigh change throughout the play?

Answer 45

She refers to him increasingly as her mental stability deteriorates ## Footnote This reflects her loss of control over reality.

Question 46

Fill in the blank: Shep Huntleigh represents Blanche's hope for a _______.

Answer 46

better life

Question 47

True or False: Shep Huntleigh appears on stage in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

Answer 47

False

Question 48

What does Blanche's approach toward the young man reveal?

Answer 48

Her past affairs and sexual fixations ## Footnote Including her relationship with a 17-year-old student.