The Glass Menagerie

Introduction

This paper discusses The Glass Menagerie, written by Tennessee Williams, is a play that is full of various types of themes. Not only are these themes exposed in the characters of the play but they also become instilled in the reader. In this essay there will be three specific themes that will be referred to. The themes will consist of: the difficulty of accepting reality or otherwise known as realism, the impossibility of true escape, and the power of using memory in the play.

Discussion and Analysis

“The Glass Menagerie” is a play that contains intense human feelings; frustration, shyness, regretfulness, anger, and sadness. Tennessee Williams uses imagery to suggest the theme of relationships, which is instantly shown through the picture of the father. The postcard sent to Tom shows that the relationship between the father and the family was weak and resulted in Amanda's failed marriage. Williams makes it clear through the language and gestures the relationship between Tom and Amanda. She treats Tom as if he were q child telling him to 'chew-chew' his food. The tension is recognised immediately through the stage direction when Tom 'deliberately' 'pushes his chair back from the table'. Williams shows Tom's frustration by sending him to have a cigarette because he does this whenever he feels stressed and angry. He also shows the importance of the speech in the play by having imaginary food. Laura acts as a bridge between Tom and Amanda because without her Tom would have left a long time ago. Although she is quiet and shy, when telling Tom to allow Amanda to tell her story once again, Tom obeys and listens. Williams shows the relationship between Tom and Laura to be strong from the beginning. Although little is said and done, there is an underlying feeling through facial expressions and gestures that there is a firm bond. Amanda's lack of understanding towards Tom in scene one and Laura in scene two suggests the theme of illusion, as she feels that her relationship with her children is stronger than it actually is in reality.

Williams suggest the theme of illusion from the onset when Tom addresses the audience directly. This is non-realistic and not in the style of usual plays in which characters and actors should stay in their characters always and obliged to think the audience does not exist. He says that in contrast to a stage magician who provides illusion in the guise of truth, 'I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion'. Later on when returning from the movies the idea about magicians is introduced again highlighting the theme. The connotations of words such as 'magician', 'disguise' and 'illusion' are non realistic. Williams shows that illusion can help to escape reality. Amanda's illusion of Laura 'expecting gentleman callers' and being as popular and outgoing as she was when she was younger, helps Amanda feel that society will accept Laura once married (which was expected of women at that time). This illusion prevents Amanda being disappointed ...