Pearson Edexcel International AS Level · English Literature (XET01)

A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams.

10 questions23 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

What object does Blanche purchase and use to cover the bare light bulb in Stella's apartment?

Question 2

1 mark

In A Streetcar Named Desire, what does the recurring sound of the "Varsouviana" Polka music represent for Blanche?

Question 3

1 mark

Which character does Blanche describe as having a "primitive" nature and acting like an "animal"?

Question 4

1 mark

In the opening scene of A Streetcar Named Desire, what is the name of the street where Stella and Stanley's apartment is located?

Question 5

1 mark

According to Blanche, what happened to the DuBois family estate, Belle Reve?

Question 6

2 marks

In Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, what does the recurring sound of the 'Varsouviana Polka' represent for Blanche DuBois?

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Question 7

4 marks

How does Stanley Kowalski use the 'Napoleonic Code' to assert his dominance over Stella and Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire?

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Question 8

4 marks

In A Streetcar Named Desire, what are the names of the two streetcars Blanche travels on to reach her sister's home, and how do they symbolize her journey?

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Question 9

4 marks

Examine the contrast between Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.

(a) How does Stanley's linguistic style (his choice of words and grammar) reflect his 'New South' identity?
(b) Contrast Stanley's physical presence with Blanche's description of her own 'delicate' nature.
(c) Explain how the incident with the radio in Scene Three highlights the fundamental conflict between these two characters.
(d) What does Stanley’s dominance in the final scene suggest about the future of the society he represents?

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Question 10

4 marks

In Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, the use of symbols is central to the audience's understanding of Blanche Dubois. Explore the significance of the paper lantern by answering the following:

(a) Why does Blanche insist on placing the paper lantern over the bare light bulb in the Kowalski apartment?
(b) How does this symbol reflect her desire for illusion over reality?
(c) Explain the significance of Mitch's actions regarding the lantern in Scene Nine.
(d) How does the destruction of the lantern in the final scene conclude Blanche's character arc?

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