The Glass Menagerie Flashcards
What essay does Tennessee Williams write about “The Glass Menagerie”?
“The Catastrophe of Success”
What does Williams say in “The Catastrophe of Success”?
He details how unexpectedly difficult it was for his play to become a smash hit overnight. He made bad choices with money, questioned his friendship, and lost his artistic path. He found that it took time to recalibrate his artistic vision when his day-to-day struggle to survive ceased.
“I was not aware of how much vital struggle went into the struggle until the struggle was removed.”
He ends the essay by describing how he slowly worked his way back to sanity, and encourages us all to actively fight against loss, which is the natural consequence of time.
What is the name of Laura and Tom’s mother?
Amanda Wingfield
What does Amanda desperately want Laura to have?
A gentleman caller
What happened to Laura and Tom’s father?
He was “a telephone man that fell in love with long distances.”
Where does Tom spend all of his time?
At the movies.
Who is older, Tom or Laura?
Laura
On whom does Laura have a crush?
Jim O’Connor
What is Laura’s physical defect?
She has some kind of unspecified limp for which she must wear a brace.
What was Jim’s nickname for Laura?
Blue Roses
The name of Williams’ mentally ill sister was Rose
When did The Glass Menagerie premiere?
1944
What was Tennessee Williams’ job throughout WWII?
A Hollywood screenwriter
What is Tennessee Williams’ real name?
Thomas Lanier Williams III
How did Williams refer to “The Glass Menagerie”?
As a “memory play”
Discuss the staging of this play.
Williams laid out very specific staging suggestions for the play, including unconventional music and lighting techniques.
Since the play is a “memory play”, it should not be presented as realistic plays are – it should in fact be unrealistic.
The lighting should highlight key props, like Mr. Wingfield’s portrait, and Laura’s music should play when at moments when her fragility is particularly on display.
