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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 Blanche offer to her visitor?

2. Who appears outside the apartment as Blanche and Mitch are talking?

3. How many times does Blanche say she has apologized for the humidity from the bath?

4. From whom does Blanche say she has received a wire?

5. Blanche's visitor asks why he has never seen her __________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mitch confused about the signals that Blanche has been giving during their date?

2. Why does Stanley come home, leaving Stella at the hospital?

3. What is the explanation that Blanche offers to Stanley for her odd, dressed-up appearance?

4. Where do Mitch and Blanche go for their first date?

5. Why does Blanche think has happened to Mitch that he is not at her party?

6. What does Blanche suggest she and Mitch do when they arrive in the Kowalski's apartment?

7. What does Blanche do even though Stella begs her not to?

8. What else does Stanley reveal about Blanche in regards to her reputation in Laurel?

9. When Stanley begins to eat his pork chop with his hands, how does Stella respond?

10. How does Blanche explain her fear of being seen in the light?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, Blanche is taken away, seemingly crazy and in need of help. But what are the signs that might have indicated she was mentally unstable long before she was taken away? Give at least three signs that Blanche needed mental health attention. Do you think she was actually crazy? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The rape of Blanche is hard to define in this play as the play was written in a time when the mere thought of rape was inconceivable. Why do you think Tennessee Williams decided to use a rape scene in this play? What does it say about Stanley? What does this scene say about Blanche? Was this scene necessary? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Stella, it seems, left her family in order to be with Stanley. Why do you think she deserted Blanche? Or is that not the case? Why do you think Stella stayed away from Blanche, not even introducing her to her husband? Or was the estrangement mutual? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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