Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie

Recurring Themes & Symbols

Themes

• Illusion vs. Reality• Memory• Freedom• Quest• Instinct vs.

Civilized Behavior, struggle between generations

• Disintegration of American family

• The American Dream

• Survival of man in the machine age

• Fragility vs. Strength

• Man’s need to escape his surroundings.

Illusion vs. Reality

• In Scene I, Tom says, “I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.”

• What is the truth at the heart of this story?

• What is the illusion which disguises it?

Illusion vs. Reality — Tom

• What are some of Tom’s illusions?

• Does he have illusions about himself? Others? Life?

• Is Tom able to see reality about some things? Which things?

• Is he able to see himself realistically? Does he see others realistically?

Illusion vs. Reality — Amanda

• Does Amanda have illusions? Is so, what are they?

• Illusions about herself? Her children? Her life?

• Is Amanda able to see reality about some things? Which things?

• Does she see herself realistically? Does she see others realistically?

Illusion vs. Reality — Laura

• Does Laura have illusions? If so, what are they?

• Illusions about herself? Others? Life?

• Does Laura see things realistically?

• Does she see herself realistically? Does she see others or life realistically?

Illusion vs. Reality

• References to “school of the blind” … “America sits in a dark room”

• How do Tom’s assertions also serve as a commentary on American life in the lead up to World War II?

Memory

• What is meant by the idea of a “memory play”?

• Does the fact that the play is based on memory make it seem less true or less factual?

• Do we have to deal with memories in order to move forward?

Memory — Tom

• Which of Tom’s memories are revealed in the play?

• If the play is based on Tom’s memory, in choosing what to leave in or leave out does he cast himself as “the good guy”?

• How do Tom’s memories affect his behavior?

• Are there significant details he seems to have left out/forgotten? Why?

Memory — Amanda

• What does Amanda remember?

• When (in what context) does she remember her past?

• Why does she remember her past?

• How do Amanda’s memories affect her– Behavior?

– Actions?

– Decisions?

Memory — Laura

• What does Laura remember?

• When (in what context) does she remember her past?

• Why does she remember her past?

• How do Laura’s memories affect her– Behavior?

– Actions?

– Decisions?

• Also consider Jim’s memories and how they affect him?

MEMORY

• Which characters seem most affected by memories? Least affected?

• Are the affects of the memories positive? Negative?

FREEDOM

• What is the definition of freedom?– Financial freedom– Emotional freedom– The ability to make decisions for oneself? To

have a variety of choices?

Freedom

• Which characters are most free? (financially and emotionally)

• Least free?

• What would freedom mean to each character?

• Do all the characters seek freedom? Why or why not?

• What is the price of freedom? Is it selfish?

Instinct vs. Superior Things

• What is meant by instinct?

• What is meant by superior things?

• Which characters believe in instinct? Which characters believe in superior things?

• How do these beliefs create conflict between these characters?

• What is the result?

Instinct

• What is instinct? (according to Webster’s)– “an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to

action common to a given biological species”– “a natural inclination or attitude”– “natural intuitive power”

Instinct — Tom

• Late for dinner

• Chews food quickly

• Uses vulgarity, profanity

• Reads DH Lawrence

• Argues with mother, others

• Smokes

• Goes to movies

• Drinks

• Gulps coffee

• Is selfish??

• Wants to “face facts”

Instinct vs. Superior Things

• What are superior things?– Manners– Etiquette and social graces– Talking of refined (not coarse, not vulgar)

things– Having civilized ambitions, wants, hopes,

dreams

Superior Things — Amanda

• Grace at dinner

• Table manners

• “never anything coarse, or common, or vulgar”

• “fresh and pretty”

• Wants both children to take classes

• “defect …. Slight disadvantage … develop charm”

• Makes small talk when doing sales

• Lawrence – “horrible book”

Superior Things — Amanda

• Doesn’t want Tom to jeopardize job with “shameful” behavior

• Believes that hard work = success

• “sacrifices”

• “nothing offends people worse”

• Says girls shouldn’t fall for appearance (listen to instincts)

• Home improvements

• Dances, picnics, flowers

Laura and Jim

• Laura and instinct– Leaves class when

nervous

– Won’t answer door when scared

– Quits school when embarrassed

• Jim and superior things– Position at warehouse

– Self-esteem, taking classes

– Can put on “an act”

Can characters who are governed by either instinct or “Superior things” both refuse to see reality?

Conflict

• Tom and Amanda– Tom: “Man is by instinct a lover, a hunter, a

fighter and none of those ….”– Amanda: “Surely your aims are somewhat

higher than theirs! Than monkeys — pigs —”

Which wins?

• When angry (giving in to instinct), Tom shakes the glass menagerie

• When giving in to instinct, Amanda marries the “wrong man” and Laura’s unicorn gets broken

• Tom leaves the family, follows instincts for survival, selfish pleasure; however, he doesn’t seem happy in end.

The American Dream

• Definition: Hard work = success• What is success: money, a home, a family?• What traits are needed to achieve this?

– Talent– Ambition– Optimism/believe/faith in the system– Strong work ethic– Intelligence– Social skills

The American Dream for play

• Which characters possess the traits needed to achieve the American Dream?

• Is it likely any of them will achieve the American dream? Why or why not?

SYMBOLS

Symbols

• Glass and glass menagerie

• Paradise Hall

• Blindness

• Blue, Blue Roses

• Burning, fire, candles

• Alleyway

• Zoo, hot house

• Magic show, coffin