The Glass Menagerie By: Joe M., Emanuel M., Adrian M., Graham O.
Choices of the Author Hubris Symbolism Character Foil
Hubris Hubris: A great or foolish amount of pride or confidence Amanda Wingfield Euphoria for the past 17 Gentleman Callers Scene I Unrealistic Expectations for Children Lack of Motivation from both Laura and Tom
Symbolism Glass Symbol for Laura: brittle, fragile representing sensitivity Amanda and Tom arguments always end with glass breaking Scene 3: Tom hits shelf of glass with overcoat “ Laura cries out as if wounded ” (24) Scene 7: Tom smashes his glass on the floor “ Laura screams in fright ” (96) At the peak of the fight when it has ended, someone leaves
Character Foil Foil: A foil is another character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight one of their attributes Jim to Tom That really good friend that does everything better and your parents are like why you can’t be like them. Tom: Lacks ambition and goes to movies Jim: Big dreams and public speaking classes Laura to Amanda
Literary Lenses Marxist Psychoanalytic New Historicism
Marxist The Wingfields, members middle class, function under the brutal economic laws of capitalist society during the Great Depression of the 1930's. Tom Wingfield is “a poet in a warehouse” I go to the movies because I like adventure. Adventure is something I don't have much at work, so I go to the movies. (Williams, 39). The temper of work in the warehouse does not satisfy Tom’s poetic ambitions This foreshadows Tom’s to escape from his life of hard labor and to enroll in The Union of Merchant Seamen
Marxist (Contd.) Theme 1: Alienation within the workforce ambitions do not lie in the warehouse Theme 2: Limitations of Capitalism Inequality, visible in Tom’s dependency on unfulfilling manual labor
Psychoanalytic Motif: Escape and Imprisonment Tom Wingfield “Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve. But I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” (Scene 1) The Fire escape Laura The Glass Menagerie The Unicorn
Psychoanalytic (Contd.) Theme 1: Escape is only a dream that cannot be obtained. Fake realities Laura ---> Glass Menagerie Tom ---> Fire Escape and Movie Theaters Theme 2: Because of financial instability the family is imprisoned to each other. Tom’s income
New Historicism Great Depression Drafted men into military for WWII Increased number of women in the workforce Laura sent to secretarial college to learn skills for finding employment Amanda worked to support her family Amanda decides to find Laura a husband to support her instead of continue finding employment How she made a living for herself
New Historicism (Contd.) Cinema Entertainment as a form of escapism in the 1930s Tom going to the movies to escape his own life at home Certain industries (oil, gas, cigarettes, and movie tickets) began to make a profit “The Golden Age of Hollywood” - silent period ended Travel Methods of travel expanded during the 1930s
New Historicism (Contd.) Theme 1: Age difference results in contrasting working expectations due to financial needs. Amanda’s desire to find Laura a gentleman caller Theme 2: Movies and other forms of entertainment give people a false sense of reality or something to strive for. Tom going to the movies and wanting to travel
Videos for Discussion: Motherly Love
Video for Discussion: That Awkward Moment...When the Unicorn Needs a New Change of Scenery
Discussion Questions In what ways does music play a role in the development of the play? Does the play follow specifically as Tennessee Williams wanted? Themes/Motifs? Movie compared to the book? Other inquiries?
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION!!!
Recommend
More recommend
