Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie

1. Tennessee Williams’The Glass Menagerie Recurring Themes & Symbols

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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 — Amanda

6. 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 — Laura

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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 — Tom

10. 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 — Amanda

11. 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 — Laura

12. MEMORY • Which characters seem most affected by memories? Least affected? • Are the affects of the memories positive? Negative?

13. FREEDOM • What is the definition of freedom? • Financial freedom • Emotional freedom • The ability to make decisions for oneself? To have a variety of choices?

14. 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? Freedom

15. 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?

16. 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”

17. 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 — Tom

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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 Superior Things — Amanda

21. 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” Laura and Jim Can characters who are governed by either instinct or “Superior things” both refuse to see reality?

22. 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 —”

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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?

26. SYMBOLS

27. Glass and glass menagerie Paradise Hall Blindness Blue, Blue Roses Burning, fire, candles Alleyway Zoo, hot house Magic show, coffin Symbols