1. ‘The GLASS MENAGERIE’
Tennessee williams

2. Tennessee Williams
Born as Thomas Williams in 1911.
Turbulent family life. His characters in ‘The Glass Menagerie’ are modelled on his own family.
“I don’t think I would have been the poet I am without that anguished familial situation.”

3. The play is set in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1937.

4. Social and historical context
The Great Depression
Began with the dramatic crash of the stock market on Black Thursday, 24th October 1929.
Many people lost their jobs and their savings.
12, 830, 000 people were unemployed at the height of the Depression in 1933.
Those who were lucky enough to keep their jobs saw their wages fall almost 43% between 1929 – 1933.
Hundreds and thousands of people roamed cities in search of food, shelter and work.

7. Social and historical context
Women and Work
Traditional roles within the family changed in the 1930s.
During the First World War and in the 1920s women had begun to go out and work in greater numbers and this trend continued in the 1930s.
Many men found themselves out of work and it was often easier to find opportunities for female employment.
This was partly due to the nature of the work undertaken and also because women could be paid less.
By the 1940s, over one third of white American women were working in the clerical sector.

8. Social and historical context
Cinema
One-third of Americans were below the poverty line, yet some industries actually managed to make a profit at the beginning of the 1930s as the public looked towards entertainment as a form of escapism.
If Americans couldn’t find work, at least they could go for a drive, have a cigarette, or go to a movie.
Correspondingly, sales of oil, gas, cigarettes, and movie tickets all went up.

9. Social and historical context
Cinema
The 1930s was “The Golden Age of Hollywood”, it was the era in which the silent period ended, and Hollywood turned out movie after movie to entertain an audience looking for an evening of escapism.
People of all classes now flocked to the grand movie palaces to see favourite celebrities such as Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Shirley Temple and Errol Flynn.

10. Social and historical context
The Wider World
There was a civil war in Spain that led to the bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica by the German and Italian allies of the Spanish Nationalist Govt.
Thousands of innocent civilians died.
It is considered one of the first raids on a defenceless civilian population by the modern air force.
This bombing caused outrage in society.

12. themes

13. themes Escape Family responsibility Difficulty accepting reality
Memory

14. Genre and style

15. genre
What do you know about the genre of tragedy?

16. genre Drama comes from a Greek word meaning “action”
In classical theatre, there are two types of drama:
Comedy: Where there are often farcical situations that lead to comedic confusion, but the main characters usually have a happy ending.
Tragedy: Where violent action leads to misfortune for the main characters, who are usually notable and important figures in society.

17. genre ‘The Glass Menagerie’ is a domestic tragedy.
A domestic tragedy is when the main characters, who are middle or lower class, face tragic circumstances.

18. Intro to style Think about the nature of memory.
How do we remember things?
Is memory reliable?

19. Intro to style
Memory is unreliable. We choose what we want to remember and forget.
Memory is subjective. We may experience the same thing as someone else but remember them entirely differently.
Memory is fluid and unchronological. Memories from different times fuse together in our minds.

20. Intro to style Choose a memory from your childhood.
Imagine it was going to be turned into a play.
How would you stage it to convey to your audience that this is a memory?
Think about lighting, stage directions, setting, props, costume, sound.

21. style ‘The Glass Menagerie’ is a memory play.
It is told in retrospect by the narrator, Tom, who is also a central character in the play.
As it is a memory play, unusual techniques are used to present the play in a nonrealistic fashion.

22. Style and dramatic techniques
Unusual dramatic techniques:
The narrator is a character. He breaks the fourth wall and talks to the audience. He draws attention to the fact it is a play and it is nonrealistic.
The fourth wall is the imaginary wall that exists between the characters and the audience.

23. Style and dramatic techniques
Unusual dramatic techniques:
Projections of images and words are displayed in the background of certain scenes.
Music is used to evoke sympathy and emotion in certain scenes.
Lighting: the stage should be dim and certain characters presented in different lights.
These things would not occur in ‘real life’ and remind the audience that what they are watching is a memory.

24. CHARACTERS

25. Amanda wingfield the mother
Abandoned by her husband.
Clinging to her own version of the past.
Wants the best for her children but is trapping them in situations they do not want to be in.

26. Laura wingfield her daughter
Had an illness when she was a child that left her with a limp.
She is terribly shy and disconnected from reality.
She spends her time polishing her collection of glass animals.

27. tom wingfield her son and narrator
Forced to work in a shoe factory to support his family.
He desires escape from the entrapment of his family.

28. Jim O’Connor the gentleman caller
A nice, ordinary young man.
Works with Tom at the shoe factory.

29. Mr wingfield the Father
Abandoned his family.
His only appearance is in a large, framed photograph hanging above their mantle.

30. Scene 1

31. task Write a brief summary of what happens in scene 1.
Tom directly addresses the audience and tells them the play is told through his memory.
The family have dinner together and Tom becomes irritated with his Mother who is nagging him.
Amanda recalls her days as a young woman when she had many gentleman callers.
She wants a gentleman caller for Laura.

32. task Why might the events we see in the play be unreliable?
The events are told from Tom’s memory. Memory in itself is unreliable and subject to change.
Tom speaks to the audience as an articulate, objective narrator. However, when the action begins he is an irritable young man involved in a petty argument with his Mother. This change in character makes the audience unsure about how to react to the character of Tom.

33. Mise-en-abyme When we see a smaller version of
something within the same thing.
Eg. A dream within a dream.

34. Scene 1 questions
1. Look at the first paragraph of stage directions. Show how the writer’s use of language to describe the setting could link into the theme of escape. (4 marks)
Williams uses the word “cellular” to describe the apartments in which the Wingfield family live. This has connotations of a small, confined area. (1) This creates a sense of claustrophobia that the characters could find oppressive and seek escape from. (1)
Williams uses the word “warty” to describe the apartments in which the Wingfield family live. This has connotations of unwanted and infectious growths. This gives the reader the strong impression that the apartments are unpleasant, from which the characters may seek escape. (1)

35. Scene 1 questions
2. What might the fire escape be a symbol for? (1 mark)
The fire escape is a symbol for the theme of escape. (1)

36. Scene 1 questions
3. In your own words as far as possible, explain how paragraph 3 of the stage directions characterises memory. (2 marks)
Memory deletes things.
Memory embellishes things.
Memory is not rational.
Memory is unreal/ non-representational.

37. Scene 1 questions
4a) What might the photograph of Mr Wingfield symbolise? (1 mark)
The photo of Mr Wingfield symbolises escape.
b) Explain how you reached that conclusion. (1 mark)
He succeeded in escaping from the family and travelled away from St. Louis.
The photograph is placed on the wall and constantly looms over the family. This reinforces the sense of oppression in the family home.

38. Scene 1 questions
5. Using evidence from the text to support your answer, identify how Tom feels towards his Mother at the beginning of the scene when they are eating dinner. (2 marks)
Tom is irritated by his Mother for berating him about how to eat his dinner. (1) This is evident when he says, “It’s you that make me rush through meals with your hawklike attention to every bite.” (1)

39. Scene 1 questions
6. “I want you to stay fresh and pretty - for gentleman callers.” Explain how this quote links into Amanda’s difficulty in accepting reality. (1 mark)
Amanda is in denial and expecting gentleman callers for Laura that are not coming. She cannot accept that Laura is different from other young women and has no romantic prospects.

40. Scene 1 questions
7. Look at the pages where Amanda recalls her youth in Blue Mountain. a) We experience Amanda’s memory within this memory play. Identify the technique used here. (1 mark)
The memory within a memory is mise-en-abyme.

41. Scene 1 questions
7. Look at the pages where Amanda recalls her youth in Blue Mountain. b) Identify Tom’s attitude to hearing this memory. Explain why he feels this way. (2 marks)
Tom is frustrated/ irritated about hearing this memory (1). He feels this way because his Mother has told the story many times and he is tired of hearing it. (1)

42. Scene 1 questions
7. Look at the pages where Amanda recalls her youth in Blue Mountain. c) Identify Laura’s attitude to hearing this memory. Explain why she feels this way. (2 marks)
Laura is sympathetic/ patient/ understanding when hearing this memory. (1) She acknowledges the fact that her Mother enjoys telling it. (1)

43. Scene 1 questions
7. Look at the pages where Amanda recalls her youth in Blue Mountain. c) Identify Laura’s attitude to hearing this memory. Explain why she feels this way. (2 marks)
Laura is sympathetic/ patient/ understanding when hearing this memory. (1) She acknowledges the fact that her Mother enjoys telling it. (1)

44. Scene 1 questions
7. Look at the pages where Amanda recalls her youth in Blue Mountain. d) Look again at how the stage directions characterise memory. How does Amanda’s memory fit into this description? (2 marks)
The stage directions state that memory is often “exaggerated”. (1) We see this in Amanda’s memory as she states that she had seventeen gentleman callers and there weren’t enough seats to accommodate them all, which seems unlikely. (1)

45. Scene 1 questions
d) Look again at how the stage directions characterise memory. How does Amanda’s memory fit into this description? (2 marks)
The stage directions state that memory is often “exaggerated”. (1) We see this in Amanda’s memory as she states that she had seventeen gentleman callers and there weren’t enough seats to accommodate them all, which seems unlikely. (1)
The stage directions state that memory is “seated predominately in the heart”. (1) We see this as Amanda’s story is clearly sentimental and comes from the heart. (1)

46. Scene 1 questions
d) Look again at how the stage directions characterise memory. How does Amanda’s memory fit into this description? (2 marks)
The stage directions state that memory is often “exaggerated”. (1) We see this in Amanda’s memory as she states that she had seventeen gentleman callers and there weren’t enough seats to accommodate them all, which seems unlikely. (1)
The stage directions state that memory is “seated predominately in the heart”. (1) We see this as Amanda’s story is clearly sentimental and comes from the heart. (1)

47. Scene 1 questions
What is it that Amanda wants for her daughter? (1 mark)
Amanda wants a gentleman caller/ boyfriend for Laura. b) Identify a quote from Laura that suggests this is not likely. (1 mark)
Laura says, “I don’t believe we’re going to receive any, Mother.” This suggests that she finds it unlikely she will receive a gentleman caller.

48. Scene 1 questions
9 a) Identify at least 2 dramatic techniques used to convey the play is memory. (2 marks)
One of the characters is the narrator. Tom breaks the fourth wall. The family eat with imaginary cutlery. Projections are used to add atmosphere to the scene. Music is used to add atmosphere to the scene.

49. Scene 1 questions
b) Explain how these techniques portray the action as memory. (2 marks)
One of the characters is the narrator. This portrays the action as memory as he informs the audience the story is told in retrospect, from his memory. Tom breaks the fourth wall. This portrays the action as memory as it reminds the audience they are not watching the action as it is occurring. The family eat with imaginary cutlery. This portrays the action as memory as it is not realistic. Projections are used to add atmosphere to the scene. This portrays the action as memory as it is not realistic. Music is used to add atmosphere to the scene. This portrays the action as memory as it is not realistic.

50. Scene 3

51. Create this table in your jotters and fill it out in your groups
Theme
Point
Evidence
Analysis and Explanation
Escape
Family Responsibility
Difficulty accepting reality
Tom uses the word “haunted” to describe the idea of the gentleman caller. This suggests that he is an unseen, negative force that looms over the family in the apartment. The gentleman caller is a figure of hope in the play, however Amanda’s desperation has turned him into a torturous presence. This adds to the already prominent feeling of oppression in the Wingfield apartment.
The Wingfield apartment is established as a place Tom would seek escape from.
“The image of the gentleman caller haunted our small apartment.”

52. Starter task Pick a character from ‘The Glass Menagerie’.
Imagine you meet the character. Write a short script about this meeting.
Remember to include stage directions to set the scene.

53. Scene 4

54. symbolism relationships
Write a PEEL paragraph on the use of symbolism and its link to theme in scene 4.
The magician and the coffin
The rainbow scarf
The fire escape
How does this scene develop the relationship between:
Tom and Laura
Tom and Amanda
Refer to the text in your answer
relationships

55. Starter task
It is there on the high street, where shops are being replaced by rows of bookmakers, with their large plasma screens and automated gambling machines.
Show how the writer’s use of sentence structure emphasises his point. (2)

56. Starter task
The writer uses parenthesis to add extra information about the influx of gambling shops on the high street. This emphasises his point that gambling is becoming more and more popular and is becoming out of control.

57. Scene 6

58. Jim O'Connor Jim is a foil.
A foil is a character that contrasts with another character to highlight their (usually negative) traits.

59. TOM VS JIM Spends evenings drinking for escape.
Restless in his workplace.
Wants to escape into a fantasy world of adventure (marines).
Spends evenings at night school to better himself.
Content in his work.
Wants to progress in his career – he is firmly rooted in the real world.

60. Jim O'Connor Jim is a foil.
He was once a high school star but he is now content with his working lifestyle. He seeks to better himself, but in a realistic way. Tom contrasts to this because he is restless with his working lifestyle and seeks unrealistic, unsustainable adventure. Jim represents who Tom could be.

61. Plagiarism ˈpleɪdʒərɪz(ə)m/ noun
noun: plagiarism; plural noun: plagiarisms
the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's
own.
synonyms:
copying, infringement of copyright, piracy, theft, stealing, poaching, appropriation; informalcribbing

62. Scene 7

63. Ways in which it is a key scene.
Task
Scene 7 -
Ways in which it is a key scene.

64. Ways in which it is a key scene.
Task
Scene 7 -
Ways in which it is a key scene.

65. Scene 7 – key scene Tom escapes
Tom’s plan is put into action (light bill)
Reality comes crushing down on Laura and Amanda
Laura and Amanda’s hope of escape disappears forever.
Jim kisses Laura – gentleman caller dreams/ hopes/ fantasies come to fruition.
Unicorn breaks his horn.
Tom’s escape is tainted by guilt.

66. Discuss a PLAY in which there is a key scene.
IDEAS
STRUCTURED PLAN
Tom’s plan is put into action (light bill)
Tom escapes
Tom’s escape is tainted by guilt.
Unicorn breaks his horn.
Jim kisses Laura – gentleman caller dreams/ hopes/ fantasies come to fruition
Laura and Amanda’s hope of escape disappears forever.
Reality comes crushing down on Laura and Amanda
Tom escapes
Tom’s plan is put into action (light bill)
Reality comes crushing down on Laura and Amanda
Laura and Amanda’s hope of escape disappears forever.
Jim kisses Laura – gentleman caller dreams/ hopes/ fantasies come to fruition.
Unicorn breaks his horn.
Tom’s escape is tainted by guilt.

67. Characters - fill out a table for Amanda, tom and Laura.
What is their responsibility to the family?
Evidence from the text.
What do they want to escape from and why?
How do they escape reality and go into their own dream worlds?
Character flaw

68. “You live in a dream; you manufacture illusions.” – Amanda, scene 7.
Write a mini essay discussing the following:
To what extent do all the central characters in ‘The Glass Menagerie’ live in a dream world?

69. Example answer Simile – “sat slumped like a half filled sack”.
Just as a half filled sack is crumpled and misshapen, the beggar is deformed and bent over. It is effective as it emphasises that the beggar is hunched and has been discarded from society like an old sack.

70. HIGHER
Choose a play that features the theme of responsibility.
Answers to questions should refer to the text and to such relevant features such as: characterisation, key scenes, structure, climax, theme, plot, conflict, setting…
National 5
Choose a scene from a play in which the theme is clearly established.
Answers to questions should refer to the text and to such relevant features such as: characterisation, key scenes, structure, climax, theme, plot, conflict, setting…