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Blanche Morton is Kate’s younger sister. Blanche’s family lives off the generosity of the Jeromes. Blanche was widowed six years ago, and due to her asthma and poor vision, she has been unable to find any means of supporting herself or her daughters. She has ceded her role of decisionmaker to Jack, and she often lets Kate make household decisions for her children. Blanche is very conscious of just how much she owes Jack and Kate. 

In Act Two, Blanche reveals her deficiencies as a mother. Although Blanche provides food, a home, and niceties like dance lessons, her utter dependence on others has prevented her from teaching her children independence. Blanche acknowledges that she has been pitying herself since her husband’s death and she vows to stop. By the end of the play, Blanche is determined to take care of herself, but she knows that she will be more likely to succeed if she accepts help from Kate. However, she has faith in herself because she has come to understand her own strength in being able to keep going for her children after her husband’s death.

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