Tennessee Williams

THEMES/IDEAS Work focuses on Southern experience. Work focuses on Southern experience. Conflicts between sexuality, society, and Christianity are large part of his drama and his life. Conflicts between sexuality, society, and Christianity are large part of his drama and his life. All major plays are “memory plays”: a character experiences something profound that causes an “arrest of time,” a situation in which time literally loops around itself. All major plays are “memory plays”: a character experiences something profound that causes an “arrest of time,” a situation in which time literally loops around itself. That character must re-live that profound experience (caught in the loop) until he or she makes sense of it. That character must re-live that profound experience (caught in the loop) until he or she makes sense of it.

THEMES Overall theme of his plays: the negative impact that conventional society has upon the “sensitive, non-conformist individual.” Overall theme of his plays: the negative impact that conventional society has upon the “sensitive, non-conformist individual.” Emphasizes the irrational, desperate condition of humanity in a universe in which cosmic laws do not work. Emphasizes the irrational, desperate condition of humanity in a universe in which cosmic laws do not work. Examines the conflicts between the gentility of old Southern values and the practical Northern values. Examines the conflicts between the gentility of old Southern values and the practical Northern values.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE: SETTING Time: 1945 (although action in the play occurs in mid-1930s). Time: 1945 (although action in the play occurs in mid-1930s). Place: Apartment house in a poor, shabby section of St. Louis, Mo. The action takes place in the Wingfield apartment and on the fire escape. Place: Apartment house in a poor, shabby section of St. Louis, Mo. The action takes place in the Wingfield apartment and on the fire escape. Lighting: Impressionistic, selective (not fully illuminated). Lighting: Impressionistic, selective (not fully illuminated). Music adds to the nostalgic, gently melancholic tone of the play. Music adds to the nostalgic, gently melancholic tone of the play. This is a “memory play,” and neither the settings nor the events are completely realistic. Tom, narrating while dressed as a merchant seaman, says he will provide “truth in the pleasant guise of illusion.” This is a “memory play,” and neither the settings nor the events are completely realistic. Tom, narrating while dressed as a merchant seaman, says he will provide “truth in the pleasant guise of illusion.”

CHARACTERS: AMANDA WINGFIELD Grew up as a Southern Belle – has definite ideas of gender roles Grew up as a Southern Belle – has definite ideas of gender roles Ignores the present: relives the glory days of her past and tries to make “plans and provisions” for the future for her children Ignores the present: relives the glory days of her past and tries to make “plans and provisions” for the future for her children Denies her daughter Laura is crippled Denies her daughter Laura is crippled Sells magazine subscriptions over the phone to make money Sells magazine subscriptions over the phone to make money Her husband was an alcoholic who abandoned the family. Her husband was an alcoholic who abandoned the family. Obsesses over the futures of her unmarried daughter and moody, ne’er-do-well son Obsesses over the futures of her unmarried daughter and moody, ne’er-do-well son

CHARACTERS: LAURA WINGFIELD Daughter of Amanda, sister of Tom Daughter of Amanda, sister of Tom Very fragile and delicate (like the glass menagerie) Very fragile and delicate (like the glass menagerie) Translucent beauty Translucent beauty Delicate exterior – freaks out at the slightest social Delicate exterior – freaks out at the slightest social challenges and runs away challenges and runs away Has a crippled leg which cripples her socially Has a crippled leg which cripples her socially Retreats from reality Retreats from reality Passes her life going to the zoo, listening to phonograph records, and polishing her collection of glass animals (glass menagerie). Passes her life going to the zoo, listening to phonograph records, and polishing her collection of glass animals (glass menagerie). Homebody- no social interaction Homebody- no social interaction Acts a mediator between Amanda and Tom Acts a mediator between Amanda and Tom

CHARACTERS: TOM WINGFIELD Narrator Narrator Cynical Cynical Has a burning desire to get the heck out of town Has a burning desire to get the heck out of town Feels trapped by his nagging mother and his Feels trapped by his nagging mother and his boring life at a shoe wharehouse boring life at a shoe wharehouse Longs to have his own life full of adventure Longs to have his own life full of adventure Escapes reality by going to the movies and smoking on the fire escape Escapes reality by going to the movies and smoking on the fire escape Says he and his missing father are similar – willing to abandon the family and never come back Says he and his missing father are similar – willing to abandon the family and never come back

CHARACTERS: JIM O’CONNOR Gentleman Caller Amanda is always nagging about – hope for Laura’s future Gentleman Caller Amanda is always nagging about – hope for Laura’s future “a nice, ordinary, young man” “a nice, ordinary, young man” Went to high school with Laura – best loved guy in her class – the IT BOY Went to high school with Laura – best loved guy in her class – the IT BOY Very sincere and has an honest desire to help Laura Very sincere and has an honest desire to help Laura Drawn to her romantically Drawn to her romantically Calls Laura “Blue Roses” because she is unique Calls Laura “Blue Roses” because she is unique Has a secret Has a secret

THE GLASS MENAGERIE: THEMES Appearance vs. Reality Appearance vs. Reality Escape Escape Deception and Lies Deception and Lies Dreams, Hopes, and Plans Dreams, Hopes, and Plans Memory and the Past Memory and the Past

MOTIFS Obsession Obsession Escape Escape Entrapment Entrapment Deception (reality versus appearance) Deception (reality versus appearance)

LIGHTING In the play’s original production notes, Williams describes the lighting as “dim and poetic.” In the play’s original production notes, Williams describes the lighting as “dim and poetic.” The lighting, along with the “gauze curtains,” lends an unreal aura to the set, suggesting that this family functions in a dream world. The lighting, along with the “gauze curtains,” lends an unreal aura to the set, suggesting that this family functions in a dream world. Lighting gives the “pleasant disguise of illusion.” Lighting gives the “pleasant disguise of illusion.” It also focuses on absent characters, most notably Mr. Wingfield through his photograph. It also focuses on absent characters, most notably Mr. Wingfield through his photograph.

MUSIC It is used throughout the play to evoke mood and haunt memory. It is used throughout the play to evoke mood and haunt memory. Williams once described the recurring glass menagerie theme as a tune that is light, delicate, and as fragile as spun glass. He said: “It is primarily Laura’s music, and therefore, comes out most clearly when the play focuses upon her and the lovely fragility of glass which is her image.” Williams once described the recurring glass menagerie theme as a tune that is light, delicate, and as fragile as spun glass. He said: “It is primarily Laura’s music, and therefore, comes out most clearly when the play focuses upon her and the lovely fragility of glass which is her image.”

KEY SYMBOLS/MOTIFS The glass menagerie: Laura’s collection of animal figurines represents the fragile relationships among all the characters. The glass menagerie: Laura’s collection of animal figurines represents the fragile relationships among all the characters. The glass unicorn is a symbol for Laura. The glass unicorn is a symbol for Laura. The glass motif recurs throughout the play: The glass motif recurs throughout the play: For example, Laura visits the conservatory at the zoo, a haven for tropical flowers that are as vulnerable as she is outside of the glass world they live in. For example, Laura visits the conservatory at the zoo, a haven for tropical flowers that are as vulnerable as she is outside of the glass world they live in. A glass ball that hangs from the ceiling of the Riverside A glass ball that hangs from the ceiling of the Riverside Dance Hall reflects rainbow colors and represents the dreams Dance Hall reflects rainbow colors and represents the dreams of the dancers. of the dancers.

OTHER SYMBOLS The glass unicornThe lampshade The glass unicornThe lampshade Blue RosesFather’s picture Blue RosesFather’s picture The fire escapeYearbook The fire escapeYearbook MoviesPostcard MoviesPostcard Coffin trick Coffin trick Jonquils Jonquils Paradise Dance Hall Paradise Dance Hall

IMPORTANCE OF COLORS Color: blue is associated with Laura, and yellow is commonly linked to Amanda. Blue Roses suggests a phenomenon contrary to nature. There is an opposition between these strange, different flowers and the natural, sunny jonquils associated with Amanda. Blue Roses suggests a phenomenon contrary to nature. There is an opposition between these strange, different flowers and the natural, sunny jonquils associated with Amanda. In the original version of the play, Amanda’s party dress (in Scene 6) was described as a “girlish frock of yellowed voile” and the light that surrounds her as “lemony.” Yellow equates to Amanda’s outgoing and optimistic attitude; blue denotes Laura’s melancholy outlook. In the original version of the play, Amanda’s party dress (in Scene 6) was described as a “girlish frock of yellowed voile” and the light that surrounds her as “lemony.” Yellow equates to Amanda’s outgoing and optimistic attitude; blue denotes Laura’s melancholy outlook.

VOCABULARY & ALLUSIONS: SECNES 1 & 2 Blue Mountain: small town in northern Mississippi where Amanda Blue Mountain: small town in northern Mississippi where Amanda grew up. grew up. D.A.R: Daughters of the American Revolution; national women ’ s D.A.R: Daughters of the American Revolution; national women ’ s organization of descendants of patriots of the American organization of descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. Revolution. Doughboy: a nickname for WWI infantrymen. Doughboy: a nickname for WWI infantrymen. Guernica: a town in the Basque region of Spain that was the site of a Guernica: a town in the Basque region of Spain that was the site of a massive and brutal attack during the Spanish Civil War. massive and brutal attack during the Spanish Civil War. Metropolitan star: a star in New York ’ s Metropolitan Opera. Metropolitan star: a star in New York ’ s Metropolitan Opera. “ Ou sont les neiges ” French: “ Where are the snows ”“ Ou sont les neiges ” French: “ Where are the snows ” “ Ou sont les negies d ’ antan? ” French: “ Where are the snows of“ Ou sont les negies d ’ antan? ” French: “ Where are the snows of yesteryear? ” yesteryear? ” portiere: a heavy curtain hung across a doorway. portiere: a heavy curtain hung across a doorway.

VOCABULARY & ALLUSIONS: SCENES 3 & 4 pleurosis: inflammation of the lungs pleurosis: inflammation of the lungs Celotex: a type of fiber board used for building insulation. Celotex: a type of fiber board used for building insulation. Hogan Gang: an infamous crime family from St. Louis. Hogan Gang: an infamous crime family from St. Louis. D.H. Lawrence: English novelist and poet best known at that time for D.H. Lawrence: English novelist and poet best known at that time for “ Sons and Lovers. ” “ Sons and Lovers. ” Daumier: French painter, sculptor, and caricaturist, known in his Daumier: French painter, sculptor, and caricaturist, known in his lifetime chiefly as a social and political satirist. lifetime chiefly as a social and political satirist.

VOCABULARY & ALLUSIONS: SCENES 5 & 6 ash pits: large mounds of ash left over from coal furnaces. ash pits: large mounds of ash left over from coal furnaces. Berchtesgaden: an area of southeastern Germany, now a national park, Berchtesgaden: an area of southeastern Germany, now a national park, known for breathtaking views of the German Alps. known for breathtaking views of the German Alps. Franco: general during the Spanish Civil War who eventually became the Franco: general during the Spanish Civil War who eventually became the ruler of Spain. ruler of Spain. jolly roger: the black flag with skull and crossbones associated with pirates. jolly roger: the black flag with skull and crossbones associated with pirates. Merchant Marine: the fleet of U.S. ships that carried imports and Merchant Marine: the fleet of U.S. ships that carried imports and exports during peacetime and became a naval exports during peacetime and became a naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war materials. materials.

VOCABULARY SCENES 5 & 6 Purina: a hot, multi-grain breakfast cereal made from oats, wheat, and millet. Purina: a hot, multi-grain breakfast cereal made from oats, wheat, and millet. cakewalk: a dance with a strutting step based on a promenade. cakewalk: a dance with a strutting step based on a promenade. malaria: an infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an malaria: an infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. infected mosquito. quinine: a bitter extract from cinchona bark used as a tonic to treat quinine: a bitter extract from cinchona bark used as a tonic to treat malaria. malaria. jonquils: a species of narcissus having a small yellow flower. jonquils: a species of narcissus having a small yellow flower. cotillion: a formal ball where debutantes are presented. cotillion: a formal ball where debutantes are presented.

VOCABULARY & ALLUSIONS: SCENE 7 Century of Progress: an international faire held in Chicago from 1933 Century of Progress: an international faire held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934, the theme of which was science and industry. to 1934, the theme of which was science and industry. Mazda lamp: first lighted lamp invented by Thomas Edison. Mazda lamp: first lighted lamp invented by Thomas Edison.