Scene 5 from The Glass Menagerie

Sung-Ho Lee, Zane Kansil, Srishti Mer

-Some time has passed since scene 4, the year is now 1937, the Wingfields have just finished dinner-Amanda nags Tom about his poor physical upkeep and expensive smoking habit-Tom mentions that his own life lacks change and adventure and hints that adventure may come upon America’s looming entry to WWII-Annoyed at Amanda’s pestering, Tom exits to the fire escape landing, soon followed by Amanda-Amanda speaks to Tom her hopefulness in her children’s future, Tom reveals that he has invited a Gentleman caller, Jim, to the house for dinner scheduled for the following evening-The news thrills Amanda and sets her off into an excited frenzy. She tries to learn as much of Jim as possible and talks of all the preparations she plans to make before his arrival

OVERVIEW

-The news thrills Amanda, she immediately starts asking questions about Jim, trying to learn all that she can. She also speaks of her elaborate preparations in store before he arrives.

-The focus then shifts to Laura. Amanda seems to feel that Jim is a future man for Laura and makes bold statements regarding marriage. Tom is more reserved, reminding Amanda that Laura is ‘different’, referencing her personality and her once-crippled leg.

-The scene ends with Tom leaving the apartment (for the movies). Amanda is troubled by this and objects, however, shortly after his departure, her excitement for Jim’s arrival returns.

-Amanda and Laura wish upon the moon, speak briefly and then the scene ends.

OVERVIEW

Departure — Can Tom put himself first? Will he depart like father? Or remain and be burdened like mother? We know of the immense burden Tom is currently bearing financially (through having to provide for two other) and emotionally (through the loss of his dreams and ambitions).In the scene, the only departure made is Tom’s departure to the movies towards the end. This troubles his mother. What would happen if Tom departed forever?

Tom: “I ’m going to the movies”Amanda: “Not to the movies, every night to the movies! [] I don’t believe you always go to the movies! (he is gone)” (p24)

THEMES

Investment — Previous to this scene we have know of Amanda’s poor choice in husband and of her payment for Laura to attend business college. Both of these investments have failed for one reason or another. Scene 5 gives Amanda something else to invest in: Jim. Amanda invests in Jim both economically and with her high hopes.

“I hope that Mr. O’Connor is not too good looking” (p22)“We won’t be brilliant, but we will pass inspection” (p21)“I ’m also making payments on a floor lamp I’ll have sent out! And put the chintz covers on, they’ll brighten things up! Of course I’d hoped to have these walls re-papered” (p21)“All my wedding silver has to be polished, the monogramed linen table ought to be laundered! The windows have to be washed and fresh curtains put up. And how about clothes? We have to wear something don’t we?”

THEMES

Hope — Throughout the scene there is a constant expression of hope and hopefulness. Amanda is the main character that emanates this in the scene as well as in the rest of the play.

A: “Success and happiness for my precious children” (p19)

A: “At least I hope he’s the type that up and coming.” (p23)

A: “Laura, come here and make a wish on the moon!”“Now ! Now, darling, wish !” (p24)

THEMES

Egocentric, Pitiable, Laughable

Furious (Small quarrel in the beginning)

Excited (anticipation of Jim’s visit: “splendid!”, stage direction: [beamingly])

Frustrated (scolds Tom for telling her about Jim so late)

Generally caused by the fast pace at which Amanda and Tom moves on from previous feelings

Most of their conversation is in short phrases – contributes to its fast pace

CHARACTERS:

AMANDA

She wants to satisfy herself – must see things happen in her favor.

Asks a lot of qualifying questions about Jim

e.g. Salary & drinking habit

“I want things nice, not sloppy!” (page 20)

“has to be… ought to be… have to be…” (page 21) – picky and sensitive

CHARACTERS:

AMANDA

Pitiable

Amanda’s past:

Genteel childhood in Blue Mountain vs Her Current situation.

Bad feelings about her husband:

“That innocent look of your father’s hand everyone fooled! He smiled – the world was enchanted!... I hope Mr. O’Connor is not too good-looking”

Allows the audience to understand why she is very sensitive and selective.

“You are the only young man that I know of who ignores the fact that the future becomes the present, the present the past, and the past turns into everlasting regret if you don’t plan for it.”

CHARACTERS:

AMANDA

Laughable

Irony:

Anxious about Jim’s visit, and anticipates that he would call on Laura.

However, Jim is not even aware of Laura’s presence

CHARACTERS:

AMANDA

Egocentric

Stage direction: [Tom is unmoved by the thought]

Unmoved by Amanda’s logical statements although a mother must be respected.

Uninterested in other people:

Being careless with his own looks also affects Amanda since she cares about him.

*But he invites Jim to dinner – he does care about people he loves

CHARACTERS: TOM

Confused

While he to invite Jim,

He later on talks negatively about the fact that Laura is crippled.

“Face the facts”

Perhaps he desires to keep his sister to himself.

This contrasts with his initial action of taking the initiative to invite Jim.

Confusion is illustrated with the stage direction:

Music: Tango with an ominous tone.

Stage direction: [Tom glances at himself in the mirror]

CHARACTERS: TOM

Egocentric (continued)

When describing Jim:

Very little of Jim’s personality revealed

Indication of merely superficial interactions between Tom and Jim

Reality does not attract Tom – that’s why he like to go to the movies

Description of Paradise Dance Hall:

music, rainbow colored lights, carefree dancers

CHARACTERS: TOM

Over-dependent on others

Lacks confidence

“What should I wish for mother?”

CHARACTERS: LAURA

LEGEND ON THE SCREEN: ‘ANNUNCIATION’• Refers to God’s announcement to Mary that she is pregnant with Jesus Christ• Symbolizes the coming of Savior for Laura and her family in form of the gentleman caller, Jim.•Hyperbole•May be mocking Amanda’s wish for a Gentleman caller

FIRE ESCAPE:• An escape from frustration and trap inside the Wingfield household•Tom’s one of the favorite places as he frequently steps out to smoke his need for freedom and foreshadows his ultimate decision to escape from the apartment.

Paradise dance hall-Symbolic for both Tom and Amanda-[its music] Can represent the possibility of escape

LITTLE SILVER SLIPPER MOON (p24):• Allusion of Cinderella a handsome prince comes to rescue a lass from domestic labor.• Hope Amanda’s hope for a gentleman caller is very high. Someone will come a rescue them from the traps.

SYMBOLS

CONNECTION TO THE VISIT

THE GLASS MENAGERIE THE VISIT

Scene 5 Beginning of Act 1

Anticipate the arrival of Jim O’Connor to be the escape route for the family from the

burdens in their head.

Anticipate the arrival of Clara Zachanassian to redeem the townspeople from poverty.

Amanda makes a fuss so that things look perfect and Jim accepts Laura.

“Preparations: Wedding silver has to be polished; momogramed table linen ought to be laundered; windows have to be washed and fresh curtains put up” (p.21)

Townspeople make a fuss so that Clara would be impressed and helps them by giving

large amounts.

Banner: ‘Welcome Claire Zachanassian” ; Choir ; Athletics Club ; Mayor’s speech, etc.

Scene 5 is important for several reasons and without scene 5 and the developments in characterization and plot that are made within, much of the rest of the story would be without

context.

-Characterization of Amanda as a hopeful character

-Introduction of Jim. Expectations and investment made upon him. A building suspense to finally see him.

-Emphasis on Laura still being un-wed

-Negative characteristics in Laura

-Tom distancing himself from his family

IMPORTANCE OF SCENE 5