The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

The Glass Menagerie[2] is a memory play by Tennessee Williams that premiered in 1944 and catapulted Williams from obscurity to fame. The play has strong autobiographical elements, featuring characters based on its author, his histrionic mother, and his mentally fragile sister. In writing the play, Williams drew on an earlier short story, as well as a screenplay he had written under the title of The Gentleman Caller.

1. The Glass Menagerie Scene 1

2. Tom’s monologue After reading Tom’s introductory speech on pages 4-5, answer the following questions in complete sentences.  1. According to what Tom reveals at the beginning of his speech, what was the situation like in the USA? 2. What metaphor does Tom develop? Explain the connection he’s making. 3. Who does Tom say he is using as a symbol? What is he symbolic of?

3. The Glass Menagerie Scene 2

4. Stage Directions After reading the stage directions on page 11, answer the following questions in complete sentences. How is Laura acting before she hears Amanda? How does this change once she is aware of Amanda’s presence? 2. What is Amanda wearing? What does this reveal about Amanda’s character? Connect this to what we learned about her in scene 2. 3. Based on how Amanda is described in the stage directions, assign an emotion to her character. Use at least two quotations from the text to justify your response.

5. The sign of the times Read pages 15-16 and answer the following questions in complete sentences. What is Amanda’s attitude towards unmarried women? Use at least three quotations (words/phrases) to support your answer. 2. What does Amanda compare unmarried women to? What literary device does she use, and explain the connection. 3. What pronoun does Amanda utilize and what does it reveal about her relationship with Laura?

6. Jim, the high school hero Read pages 16-17 and answer the following questions in complete sentences. List three details about Laura’s high school crush. 2. Think about Jim’s nickname for Laura. Compare and contrast Blue Roses to Laura’s character and condition. How is this nickname appropriate for her?

7. The Glass Menagerie Scene 3

8. Tom’s escapism Read pages 23-24 and answer the following questions in complete sentences. Where does Tom go to escape and why is this significant? In the conflict between Tom and Amanda in Scene 3, which character do you sympathize with, and why? What do you think Williams wants you to feel about Amanda? What does Tom say about his father during his rant? Why does he bring him up at all?

9. Breaking the animals Read page and answer the following questions in complete sentences. What does Tom do at the end of Scene 3? How is this symbolic, considering the nature of Tom’s relationship with his family? Considering your answer to #1, discuss at least one connection between Tom and Tennessee Williams.

10. The Glass Menagerie Scene 4

11. Malvolio the Magician Read Tom’s story on page 27 and answer the following questions in complete sentences. When Tom connects himself to the magician, what is the ‘coffin’ he feels he is nailed into? What would it mean for Tom to “remove one nail” from his situation? Give two or three possible examples. Tom knows he can’t escape without removing one nail. Why does he feel that he can’t do that?

12. Laura’s fall Read page 29 and answer the following questions in complete sentences. Explain the context of Laura’s fall. 2. Remind yourselves of the significance of the family’s only exit being a fire escape. Look back to your scene 1 notes. 3. Considering your answers to 1 and 2, explain what Laura’s fall may symbolize. Be sure to explain using specifics from the book (i.e. your response should discuss the fall, the fire escape, and the symbolic meanings.

13. Tom’s Responsibilities Read Amanda’s instructions to Tom on page 35 and answer the following questions in complete sentences. What is the extent of Tom’s obligation to Laura? When is he allowed to be “free” of her, according to his mother? 2. Do you think Tom is selfish? Why or why not? 3. What does Amanda find that upsets her? Look back at the description of Tom for scene 1; what do these events foreshadow?

14. The Glass Menagerie Scene 5

15. Tom vs. his father Throughout the play, we see Tom struggle with his obligations vs. his dreams. He is constantly compared to his father by himself and others. Throughout scenes 1-5, find 2 quotations of connections made between Tom and his father. They can be made by himself, Amanda, or your own inference. Be sure to cite correctly. In your own words: Is Tom like his father or not? Do you think Amanda is driving him to be more or less like him? Explain your answer.

16. Family Responsibility After reading and discussing Scene 5, answer the following questions in complete sentences and be prepared to discuss as a class. 1. Explain your own views on familial responsibility. To whom are you responsible, and who is responsible for you? When/how does this shift? 3-4 sentences. 2. How does the Wingfield family compare to your views? Use quotations to explain your answer What do you think each character should do better/differently?

17. The Glass Menagerie Scene 6

18. Jim O’Connor After reading Tom’s description of Jim on page 50, answer the following questions. Think about the typical high school hero. Without using names or specifics to NHS, give 4-5 traits one would expect from such a figure. After reading Tom’s description of Jim, which of your traits does Jim fit into? Use quotations (words/phrases) to support your answer. Why does Tom think Jim likes him? Does this coincide with your responses from #1-2?

19. Amanda’s Outfit After reading the description of Amanda on page 53, answer the following questions in complete sentences unless otherwise specified. Describe Amanda’s outfit, using 3-4 quotations (words/phrases) in your answer. What does Amanda’s outfit demonstrate about her character? Find 3 quotations from the stage directions that further support your answer to #1. Look back at Williams’ character descriptions on page xviii. Use the information from #1-2 to support and explain a specific quotation from the description of Amanda.

20. “I’m planning to change…” After reading Tom’s description of his future plans on pages 60-1, answer the following questions in complete sentences.

21. The Glass Menagerie Scene 7

22. Jim and Laura Reminisce After reading the conversation between Laura and Jim on pages 74-76, answer the following questions in complete sentences unless otherwise specified. Contrast Laura and Jim’s memories of their high school chorus class. What does this demonstrate about their attitudes towards Laura’s disability? Notice how Laura’s portion of the conversation with Jim is punctuated. Why is it like this? What does this reveal about each character? How does the punctuation change immediately following the breaking of Laura’s unicorn on page 86? What is significant about this change?

23. The Unicorn After reading pages 83-88, answer the following questions in complete sentences unless otherwise specified.

24. Tom’s Closing Monologue After reading pages 96-97, answer the following questions in complete sentences unless otherwise specified. In your notes, write the quotation when Tom discusses what he is “pursued by” after leaving his family. Explain in your own words what it is that he is unable to escape. In two to three sentences, explain how this exemplifies the theme of the play. In two to three sentences, discuss the symbolism of Laura’s candles.