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
• Is Amanda able to see
illusions? Is so, what
are they?
• Illusions about
herself? Her children?
Her life?
reality about some
things? Which things?
• Does she see herself
realistically? Does she
see others
realistically?
Illusion vs. Reality — Laura
• Does Laura have
• Does Laura see things
illusions? If so, what
are they?
• Illusions about
herself? Others? Life?
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
• How do 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”?
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
• Do all the characters
most free? (financially
and emotionally)
• Least free?
• What would freedom
mean to each
character?
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
• Says girls shouldn’t
jeopardize job with
“shameful” behavior
• Believes that hard
work = success
• “sacrifices”
• “nothing offends
people worse”
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