STRUCTURE OF TEST  ID words, terms, phrases and definitions (5)  Match a character to a description from the text (5)  Short answer questions (30)  Quote explication – discuss situation and thematic significance of a quote (40)  Short essay on a “bigger topic.” (20)

ID WORDS, TERMS, PHRASES AND DEFINITIONS (5 POINTS) 1.Varsouviana 2.The Quarter 3.Mr. Graves 4.Allan Gray A.Blanche’s school administrator B.Polka music only Blanche hears C.Blanche’s young husband D.The section of New Orleans

MATCH A CHARACTER TO A DESCRIPTION FROM THE TEXT (5 POINTS) She has been drinking fairly steadily. She has dragged her wardrobe trunk into the center of the bedroom. It hangs open with flowery dresses thrown across it. As the drinking and packing went on, a mood of hysterical exhilaration came into her and she has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers with brilliants set in their heels. Now she is placing the rhinestone tiara on her head before the mirror of the dressing- table and murmuring excitedly as if to a group of spectral admirers

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30 POINTS) Why has Blanche been able to leave her schoolteacher job before the end of term? When Stanley finds a bunch of love letters wrapped in ribbon in Blanche’s things, what does she say she will have to do with them after he has touched them?

QUOTE EXPLICATION – 10 POINTS = 40 POINTS) DISCUSS SIGNIFICANCE OF A QUOTE YOU MUST DISCUSS BOTH THE CONTEXT/SITUATION (WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN THE QUOTE IS SAID) AND THE THEME. STANLEY (to Stella and Blanche) That’s how I clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me! “Pig –Polack –disgusting –vulgar –greasy!” -- them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember – “Every Man is a King!” And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it.

CONTEXT/SITUATION STANLEY (to Stella and Blanche) That’s how I clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me! “Pig – Polack –disgusting –vulgar – greasy!” -- them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember – “Every Man is a King!” And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it. Stella just called him a pig because of his greasy fingers. Stanley is sick and tired of being told what to do and of being told he is a “pig.” This fury has been building for months, ever since Blanche arrived. Stella never had a problem with Stanley before, but since Blanche has drawn attention to his behavior, calling him and ape and a pig, she has adopted the same tone with Stanley.

EXPLAIN WHAT THE QUOTE ADDRESSES THEMATICALLY. This quote addresses the theme of social status, as well as male and female roles. Stanley does not like the women implying he is “below” them. They act superior and it angers him tremendously. The quote provides insight into the disintegration of the traditional marriage roles of Stanley and Stella, as affected by Blanche. He accuses them of being difficult and rude to him. Because of the “pig” reference, the quote can also reference the Primitive vs. Civilized theme…but here primitivism wins out. STANLEY (to Stella and Blanche) That’s how I clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me! “Pig –Polack –disgusting – vulgar –greasy!” -- them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember – “Every Man is a King!” And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it.

SHORT ESSAY ON A “BIGGER TOPIC” (20 POINTS) Blanche says to Mitch “I don’t want you to think that I am severe and old-maid school-teacherish or anything like that… I guess it is just that I have – old- fashioned ideals!” How do the characters’ attitudes to sex and sexuality create dramatic conflict in SND?