tennessee williams’ the glass menagerie recurring themes & symbols
TRANSCRIPT
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