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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Stella say she does when Stanley arrives home after a work trip?

2. On what plantation was Stella raised?

3. What does Blanche ask Stella for in order to calm her nerves?

4. Who threatens to call the police if her husband hits her?

5. To where do Stella and Blanche retreat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Stanley get so upset about the idea of Belle Reve being lost?

2. Who lives at 632 Elysian Fields, as the play opens in "A Streetcar Named Desire"?

3. What is Stella's explanation for Stanley's behavior the night before?

4. How does Mitch first make small talk with Blanche?

5. What does Blanche do when she finds a bottle of whiskey in Stella's apartment?

6. How could a reader describe Stanley Kowalski?

7. What happened on Stella's wedding night that horrifies Blanche, but Stella admits thrilled her?

8. What is happening between Eunice and Steve at the beginning of scene 5 that frightens Blanche?

9. What has Shaw revealed to Stanley about Blanche?

10. Why is Stanley taunting Blanche more at this point in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stanley tells Stella at one point that everything will be better once the baby is born and Blanche is gone. Do you think this is the truth? Why or why not? Do you think Stanley believes what he says? Why or why not? Was Blanche really the cause of their problems or was she just a convenient excuse? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Belle Reve seems to be the last straw for Blanche's sanity and her life. But what really happened to Belle Reve? What do you think happened? Why has this affected Blanche in the way that it does? What other explanation could there be for the downfall of Belle Reve?

Essay Topic 3

Stella seems like a timid and weak character at first glance, but is this really the case? Give three examples of times when Stella is actually a strong force with which to be reckoned. How does she assert herself as someone who is able to take care of herself, even if Stanley does have his way with her?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 625 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample