The Glass Menagerie Shannon ., Leyla C., Jade G. & Steven M.
Choices of Author Motifs Symbols Characterizations
Motifs
Music In the Glass Menagerie , music is present to draw emphasis onto the themes as well as to add drama to the scene. The music occasionally is extra-diegetic (meaning that the characters themselves are unaware of the music-- this is often seen in movie production today. Other times the music is diegetic (meaning that the characters are aware that there is music playing). This is often used to set up a certain scene or contribute to the mood of the scene.
Extra-Diegetic Scenes in the Play The first extra-diegetic scene in play is at the end of Scene I when Amanda and Laura were talking about “gentleman callers”. Music that was specifically written for the play called “ Glass Menagerie” begins playing as the scene dims out. The music is used as a foreshadowing to set the scene for Scene II. The music subsides at the beginning of Scene II when we see Laura is polishing her glass collection. The characters in the scene aren’t aware of the music in the background-- the music is only for the purpose of adding drama to the scene for the audience.
Extra-Diegetic Scenes in the Play Scene III also uses “ Glass Menagerie” to end the scene after Tom argues with his mother and accidentally breaks one of Laura’s glass figures during his attempt to storm out of the house. Specifically to the “Glass Menagerie” , the song is meant to equate Laura to her collection, being as Laura is meant to seem delicate (a typing drill is enough to make her fall apart). Throughout the play, music swells and recedes with the rising and falling of the characters' emotions. For example, as Tom is confronting his mother with the reality of his sister's handicap, the music changes to a tango that has a minor and somewhat ominous tone.
Diegetic Scenes in the Play In scene four, "Ave Maria" plays softly in the background, symbolizing Amanda's duties as a mother. This is when Tom is apologizing for the brawl they had had the night before he went out to the “movies”. This music explains that, although Amanda is very vivacious and at times overbearing, she is still simply a single mother who wants the best for her children. The music in this scene is heard by the characters rather than just by the audience in order to draw sympathy for Amanda from the audience and entice Tom to apologize for the things he had said to her the night before.
Symbols
Blue Roses Laura’s high school nickname, “Blue Roses”, has a particular significance in the play. It is often rumored that the inspiration for Laura’s character was Williams’ own sister, Rose Williams. “Blue Roses” is first mentioned in Scene 2 in the stage directions stating that there should be a lighted screen on a dark stage with blue roses. Later on, Laura explains to her mother that the boy she liked in high school gave her that nickname because he misheard her when she said that she had been out sick with pleurosis, which phonetically resembles “blue roses”.
The Movies Tom often claims that he is going out to the movies, which typically happens when he’s been in an uncomfortable or compromising situation. For example, at the end of Scene III, Tom and Amanda are arguing about the lack of privacy Tom has at the house. He feels as though he has nothing to call his own and isn’t allowed to even control his own life even though he supports his family through a job that he loathes. In order to escape the situation, Tom claims that he is leaving to go to the movies and comes home the next morning drunk. Tom’s obsession with the movies can be seen as a symbol of escaping from his reality. Tom is always seen leaving in the middle of the night or whenever he is in a situation he does not want to be in. This means that Tom is trying to escape from his home and do so in a way that he will not be questioned for
Characterizations
Characterizations Laura- extremely shy and sensitive person, lives in her own constant reality with the glass menagerie, inner charm is shown once Jim comes along, hope is crushed once he leaves Amanda- lives between illusion and reality, wants what is best for her children, very old fashioned Tom- trying to escape reality, wants something bigger than working at shoe warehouse, feels like he's stuck and has no privacy, envies father but also guilty about it, don’t know if we can trust him Jim- neutral character, emphasis how dramatic the other character, Laura’s ideal lover, boosts Laura’s self confidence
Literary Lenses
Literary Lenses Feminism Marxism Psychoanalytical
Feminist Lens Amanda Obsessed with finding a gentleman caller for Laura Thinks that the only form of success comes through marriage/finding a husband Laura Isn’t as concerned with marriage or getting a job However, still fantasizes about one guy (Jim) Whole Family All females in the play define themselves by their
Marxist Lens Amanda Obsessed with finding a caller for Laura that is of a higher class Demands to know more about Jim and his accomplishments as they were important in being a good husband for Laura Whole Family Doesn’t have much money Only 2 options in life- get married or get an education/job Tom Has all the money and provides the only source of income for
Psychoanalytical Escapes: How Characters deal with reality The play is a discussion on escapes from the reality of life Tom’s escape : Escapes to the outside world, something bigger than working at a warehouse. Tom fears forever being trapped, and in a way the play is his commentary on the guilt of leaving his mother and sister like his father. Amanda’s escape : Amanda escapes to the past, reliving her life through her daughter. She fears the reality that she has done more harm than good to her children. Laura’s escape : Laura hides inside with her glass menagerie. She
Video Clip from Films 1976: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcNt3IHRKZ0 1954: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFeQbEUjHVk
Discussion Question
Please Participate (I’ll Love You Forever) !!!!!!!!!1!!111!!!! In what ways does the author use characterization to illuminate elements of the human condition? To what extent is Tom’s secretive time spent at “the movies” a reflection of the author’s perception of reality? How do the symbols and motifs present within the play drive and guide the story line?
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