The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Tom's last monologue of the play confuses me. I understand that he left his family in search of adventure. However, I do not understand why he is so upset about leaving Laura specifically. He almost has a creepy love for his sister. "I am more faithful than I intended to be" (Williams, 1289). The word faithful makes me think more of a spouse than a sibling.Tom is evidently more upset about leaving Laura than he is about leaving his mom.
Another part of the end of the play that confuses me is the importance of the candles. Laura blowing out the candles ends the play, so it must have some significance. I am confused why Tom specifically tells Laura to blow out the candles. "Blow out your candles, Laura- and so goodbye..."(Williams, 1289). Perhaps blowing out the candles signifies the end to Tom's relationship with his family. However, I am still confused.
Showing posts with label The Glass Menagerie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Glass Menagerie. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Glass Menagerie: Post 4
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Throughout the play, Tom desperately desired adventure. After returning from the movies one night, Tom described a magician's ability to escape from a coffin that was nailed shut. This description could reflect how Tom felt trapped. Tom held a responsibility to his mother and to his sister. He provided financial support for his family. This responsibility restrained him from the adventure he desired. In search of adventure, Tom often went to the movies. "I go to the movies because - I like adventure. Adventure is something I don't have much of at work, so I go to the movies" (Williams, 1252). At the end of the play, Tom stated that he left his family and "followed,from then on, in my father's footsteps" (Williams, 1288). Despite his mother's wishes to prevent him from following the actions of his father, Tom abandoned his family in pursuit of adventure just like his father. Perhaps Tom wished to escape his life so badly because his mother tried too hard to restrain him.
Tennessee Williams
Throughout the play, Tom desperately desired adventure. After returning from the movies one night, Tom described a magician's ability to escape from a coffin that was nailed shut. This description could reflect how Tom felt trapped. Tom held a responsibility to his mother and to his sister. He provided financial support for his family. This responsibility restrained him from the adventure he desired. In search of adventure, Tom often went to the movies. "I go to the movies because - I like adventure. Adventure is something I don't have much of at work, so I go to the movies" (Williams, 1252). At the end of the play, Tom stated that he left his family and "followed,from then on, in my father's footsteps" (Williams, 1288). Despite his mother's wishes to prevent him from following the actions of his father, Tom abandoned his family in pursuit of adventure just like his father. Perhaps Tom wished to escape his life so badly because his mother tried too hard to restrain him.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 3
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Laura's glass menagerie is symbolic of her character. Laura is portrayed as a type of delicate wall flower. Unlike her mother, she is not popular, and she does not have callers visiting her. She appears to be unwanted. Her glass menagerie is similar to her in this way. The glass pieces only hold value in Laura's eyes and are not of popular demand by others. In addition,the glass unicorn represents special part of Laura. The unicorn is unique just like Laura. It is different from the other figurines just as Laura is different from other women. "Poor little fellow (the unicorn) must feel sort of lonesome" (Williams 1281). When the unicorn's horn broke, this could have symbolized Laura's heart breaking from the disappointment of her missed opportunity with Jim.
Tennessee Williams
Laura's glass menagerie is symbolic of her character. Laura is portrayed as a type of delicate wall flower. Unlike her mother, she is not popular, and she does not have callers visiting her. She appears to be unwanted. Her glass menagerie is similar to her in this way. The glass pieces only hold value in Laura's eyes and are not of popular demand by others. In addition,the glass unicorn represents special part of Laura. The unicorn is unique just like Laura. It is different from the other figurines just as Laura is different from other women. "Poor little fellow (the unicorn) must feel sort of lonesome" (Williams 1281). When the unicorn's horn broke, this could have symbolized Laura's heart breaking from the disappointment of her missed opportunity with Jim.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 2
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
This play is nonrealistic due to multiple reasons. One reason that this is nonrealistic is that the play has a narrator. In real life, narrators do not exist, so the presence of a narrator in this play contributes to its nonrealistic presentation. Another reason why the play is nonrealistic is that the narrator directly addresses the audience and states that he is a character in the play. In a realistic play, the characters do not know that they are characters. (They think they are real.) In this nonrealistic play, Tom knows that he is a character and he acknowledges the presence of the audience. In addition, Tom adds to the nonrealistic qualities by pointing out the fiddlers in the wings. Tom often cues the music and spotlights contributing to the nonrealistic qualities of the play. Another contributing factor is the set. As seen in the stage directions Tom "deliberately lays his imaginary fork down and pushes his chair back from the table" (Williams 1237). In nonrealistic plays, props are minimal or imaginary, whereas in realistic plays, the props are real and abundant.
Tennessee Williams
This play is nonrealistic due to multiple reasons. One reason that this is nonrealistic is that the play has a narrator. In real life, narrators do not exist, so the presence of a narrator in this play contributes to its nonrealistic presentation. Another reason why the play is nonrealistic is that the narrator directly addresses the audience and states that he is a character in the play. In a realistic play, the characters do not know that they are characters. (They think they are real.) In this nonrealistic play, Tom knows that he is a character and he acknowledges the presence of the audience. In addition, Tom adds to the nonrealistic qualities by pointing out the fiddlers in the wings. Tom often cues the music and spotlights contributing to the nonrealistic qualities of the play. Another contributing factor is the set. As seen in the stage directions Tom "deliberately lays his imaginary fork down and pushes his chair back from the table" (Williams 1237). In nonrealistic plays, props are minimal or imaginary, whereas in realistic plays, the props are real and abundant.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 1
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
This play is a memory play, but of whose memory? "This play is memory...I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it" (Williams, 1236). As the play begins, Tom directly addresses the audience and states that he is both the narrator and a character in the play. Because he narrates the play, this eludes to the idea that the play is filled with his memories. Many scenes contain some form of a direct address from Tom to the audience. In these speeches, Tom seems to explain his view of the happenings in the play in a more removed/objective fashion than watching his direct interactions with other characters. In addition, the actions of the play seem to develop from Tom's character in the play. For example, the main event of the play was introducing a caller to Laura. Tom's reluctant/coerced invitation made this event possible. Because the actions stem from Tom, this also contributes to the idea that the memories are Tom's. In addition, Tom's character in the play gives the audience a look at his thoughts in a more personal way than his speeches directly addressing the audience.
Tennessee Williams
This play is a memory play, but of whose memory? "This play is memory...I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it" (Williams, 1236). As the play begins, Tom directly addresses the audience and states that he is both the narrator and a character in the play. Because he narrates the play, this eludes to the idea that the play is filled with his memories. Many scenes contain some form of a direct address from Tom to the audience. In these speeches, Tom seems to explain his view of the happenings in the play in a more removed/objective fashion than watching his direct interactions with other characters. In addition, the actions of the play seem to develop from Tom's character in the play. For example, the main event of the play was introducing a caller to Laura. Tom's reluctant/coerced invitation made this event possible. Because the actions stem from Tom, this also contributes to the idea that the memories are Tom's. In addition, Tom's character in the play gives the audience a look at his thoughts in a more personal way than his speeches directly addressing the audience.
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