Blanche Flashcards
Who is Blanche Dubois?
The anti-hero in the play characterized by a narcissistic personality disorder and alcoholism as a coping mechanism.
What coping mechanism does Blanche Dubois use?
Alcoholism.
What traumatic event deeply affects Blanche Dubois throughout her life?
The suicide of her first love, Allan Grey.
At what age did Blanche first meet Allan Grey?
Sixteen.
What incident occurs during a ball involving Blanche and Allan Grey?
Blanche insults and belittles him when she sees him with another man.
What happens to Allan Grey after the incident at the ball?
He runs outside and dies by shooting himself in the head.
What happens to Blanche’s life after the death of Allan Grey?
Her life deteriorates; she loses her family, Belle Reve, and her job.
Why does Blanche lose her job as an English teacher?
For sleeping with a seventeen-year-old student.
What does Blanche do after losing her job and family?
She indulges in a string of affairs and then visits her sister in New Orleans.
What is the family plantation owned by Blanche Dubois called?
Belle Reve.
What is a key characteristic of Blanche Dubois and Stella’s background?
They come from the Old South with an aristocratic heritage.
How does Blanche Dubois flaunt her aristocratic background?
Through her cultured manner, speech, and literature references.
Fill in the blank: Blanche Dubois is characterized by a _______ personality disorder.
narcissistic
True or False: Blanche Dubois’s life improves after moving to New Orleans.
False
What label is given to Blanche regarding her truthfulness?
Manipulative and a Pathological Liar
Blanche bends the truth to fit her stories, affecting Stella and Mitch.
Who are the main characters affected by Blanche’s manipulation?
Stella and Mitch
Blanche manipulates Mitch into loving her portrayed version and influences Stella’s opinions.
What does Blanche claim when caught lying?
“It is a part of womanhood”
She believes her lies help her confidence.
How does Blanche manipulate Stella?
By belittling her and seeking attention
Stella is influenced by Blanche’s views on Stanley.
What is Blanche’s attitude towards her aging?
Insecure and Sensitive
She avoids bright light and seeks to maintain her appearance.
How does Blanche express her loneliness?
By stating Stella is all she has in the world
She expresses fear of being alone in the first scene.
What mutual condition do Blanche and Mitch share in their relationship?
Loneliness
Mitch comforts Blanche by acknowledging their shared loneliness.
What behavior does Blanche exhibit due to her insecurity?
Flirtatious and seductive
She fishes for compliments and flirts with Stanley.
What does Blanche often talk about that implies nudity?
Bathing
This is a recurring theme in her interactions.
Fill in the blank: Blanche is extremely _______.
Lonely
Her loneliness is a central theme in the play.
True or False: Blanche avoids spending time in bright light.
True
Her avoidance of bright light reflects her insecurities.
What does Blanche Dubois constantly try to relive?
Her youth when she was truly happy
This includes her past relationships with young soldiers and a student.
How is Blanche’s delusional nature portrayed?
She hears the Polka and gunshots, prefers magic over realism, and often speaks to herself
Blanche’s delusions help her escape her traumatic past.
Who is Stanley in relation to Blanche?
Blanche’s brother-in-law
He symbolizes crude masculinity and is characterized as loud and vulgar.
How does Stanley view Blanche?
As a savage and uncivilized brute
He feels threatened by her presence and influence over Stella.
What does Stanley resent about Blanche?
Living in his house, drinking his liquor, and influencing his wife
He believes she belittles him and takes advantage of his hospitality.
What act does Stanley commit against Blanche?
Rape
This act is seen as his brutal way of overpowering her.
What does Stanley’s behavior represent in the context of masculinity?
The Darwinian ‘fittest’, asserting dominance through violence
He strikes back physically when his position is threatened.
Fill in the blank: Blanche prefers _______ over realism.
magic
What does Stanley’s character symbolize?
Crude masculinity
He is the antithesis of what Blanche appreciates.
True or False: Blanche often gets lost in her thoughts and can hear voices in her head.
True
How does Blanche attempt to escape her past?
Through delusions and fantasies
She engages in acts that connect her to her youth.
Who is Allan Grey?
Blanche’s young husband who killed himself
What caused Allan Grey to commit suicide?
Blanche reacted in disgust after seeing him having homosexual sex
How does Allan’s presence affect Blanche in the play?
It haunts her as she constantly hears the Polka and his killing gunshot
What does Allan’s death symbolize for Blanche?
It represents her guilt and is a driving force of the play
How does Allan’s memory contrast with Stella’s recollection?
Stella remembers an innocent Blanche, while Allan’s memory shows her transformation
What sound does Blanche associate with Allan’s presence?
The Polka and his killing gunshot
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]
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.
Mitch represents a chance for Blanche to redeem herself from her past.
What qualities does Mitch showcase throughout the play?
Virtues of loyalty, kindness, love, and honesty.
These qualities make him a stark contrast to other characters.
How does Mitch react when Blanche confides in him about Allan?
He comforts her and shows sympathy and compassion for her trauma.
This moment highlights his decent character.
What event shatters the illusion Mitch has about Blanche?
Stanley exposes everything Blanche indulged in after Allan’s death.
This revelation leads to Mitch’s understanding of Blanche’s true situation.
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.
He blames Stanley for meddling with his relationship with Blanche.
What is the ultimate outcome for Mitch by the end of the play?
He is left alone and lonely, similar to Blanche.
This reflects the tragic nature of both characters’ arcs.
Fill in the blank: Mitch develops as a chance for Blanche to ______ from her past.
[redeem herself]
True or False: Mitch is portrayed as a villain in the play.
False
Mitch is depicted as a decent character who genuinely cares for Blanche.
