“At the age of fourteen, I discovered writing as an escape from a world of reality in which I felt acutely uncomfortable. It immediatly became my place of retreat, my cave, my refuge.“1
This quotation by Tennessee Williams mirrors his inability to cope with the challenges and strokes of fate of his real life. For example, he felt responsible for the lobotomie of his sister Rose although he had no knowledge about this operation. Furthermore, he could not cope with his social environment, especially with his father`s incapability to handle his introvert son.
With his first success, the play “The Glass Menagerie“ (1944), Williams holds up the mirror to the Broadway audience of the 1950`s who is not willing to face the reality of the postwar period or to digest it`s experiences with the Second World War. In the same way as this generation flies from their war recollections into a problem repressing fictious world and as Williams escapes from his personal reality through writing, the figures of the drama fly from an unsatisfying life into their dreamworlds.
The play deals with the Wingfield family (Amanda, Tom and Laura), who “share[s] a small apartment in a poor section of St. Louis.“2 The family members have, through the visit of a gentlemen caller for Laura (Jim), the chance to realize their dreams. But “the friend Tom brings home to meet Laura [...], although he happens to be the boy she secretly admired in high school, turns out, unfortunately, to be already engaged.“3
Tennessee Williams`s breakthrough “The Glass Menagerie“ is respected to be one of his best plays, with Broadway performances exceeded only by “A Streetcar named Desire“
In this paper it is to point out the character presentation and character constellation in Tennessee Williams`s “The Glass Menagerie“. Firstly, I am going to analyse the character and then comment on his or her relationship to the other characters and so on. The first character to analyse is Amanda, then follow Tom, Jim, and last but not least, Laura.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Mainpart
- 2.1 Amanda
- 2.1.1 Amanda's Relationship to her absent Husband
- 2.1.2 Amanda's Relationship to Laura
- 2.1.3 The Relationship between Amanda and Tom
- 2.2 Tom
- 2.2.1 Tom's Relationship to his Father
- 2.2.2 Tom's Relationship to Laura
- 2.2.3 Tom's Relationship to Jim
- 2.3 Jim
- 2.3.1 The Relationship between Amanda and Jim
- 2.4 Laura
- 2.4.1 Laura's Relationship to Amanda
- 2.4.2 The Relationship between Laura and Jim
- 2.1 Amanda
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the character presentation and constellation in Tennessee Williams's "The Glass Menagerie." The objective is to examine each character individually and then explore their relationships with one another, focusing on how these relationships contribute to the overall themes of the play.
- The impact of the past on the present
- The struggle for fulfillment and escape from unsatisfying lives
- The dynamics of dysfunctional family relationships
- The clash between dreams and reality
- The themes of memory and illusion
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by referencing Tennessee Williams's personal life and connecting his struggles with the themes explored in "The Glass Menagerie." It establishes the play's context within the post-World War II era and highlights the characters' attempts to escape their difficult realities through dreams and illusions. The introduction also clearly states the paper's aim: to examine the characterization and relationships within the play.
2. Mainpart: This section constitutes the core of the analysis, delving into the individual characters and their interconnected relationships. The chapter summaries below further elaborate on each character's role and interactions.
2.1 Amanda: This section focuses on Amanda Wingfield, the mother, exploring her character traits. Her past as a "Southern belle," her present struggles as a single mother, and her hopes and dreams for her children are analyzed. The section examines her relationships with her absent husband, Laura, and Tom, highlighting her manipulative and often unrealistic expectations.
2.2 Tom: This part of the analysis delves into the character of Tom Wingfield, the son. It examines his difficult relationship with his father, his complex feelings for his sister Laura, and his conflicted feelings about his mother. The section explores Tom's attempts to escape his family's suffocating environment, contrasting his desires with the realities of his responsibilities. It highlights his role as a storyteller and his use of memory and illusion.
2.3 Jim: This section explores the character of Jim O'Connor, the "gentleman caller." The analysis focuses on his role as a catalyst for change and the way his presence impacts the other characters and their interactions. This section also analyzes Jim's relationship with Amanda.
2.4 Laura: This section offers a comprehensive look at Laura Wingfield, the daughter, emphasizing her shy and withdrawn nature. Her relationship with her mother, Amanda, is analyzed in detail, exploring the dynamics of control and expectation. The analysis also examines Laura's relationship with Jim and how her interaction with him shapes her self-perception and her hopes for the future.
Keywords
Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie, character analysis, character relationships, family dynamics, illusion vs. reality, escape, memory, post-war America, dysfunctional family, Southern belle, dreams, expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Tennessee Williams's "The Glass Menagerie"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper analyzing the character presentation and relationships in Tennessee Williams's play, "The Glass Menagerie." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on several key themes, including the impact of the past on the present, the struggle for fulfillment and escape from unsatisfying lives, the dynamics of dysfunctional family relationships, the clash between dreams and reality, and the themes of memory and illusion.
Which characters are analyzed in detail?
The analysis delves into the individual characters of Amanda Wingfield (the mother), Tom Wingfield (the son), Jim O'Connor (the gentleman caller), and Laura Wingfield (the daughter). Each character's relationships with the others are explored in depth.
What aspects of each character's relationships are examined?
The analysis examines the complex relationships between the characters. For example, Amanda's relationships with her absent husband, Laura, and Tom are analyzed, highlighting her manipulative tendencies. Tom's relationships with his father, Laura, and Jim are also explored, focusing on his attempts to escape his family's suffocating environment. The analysis also examines Laura's relationship with her mother and Jim, focusing on her shy and withdrawn nature and her hopes for the future. Finally, Jim's role as a catalyst for change and his relationship with Amanda are investigated.
What is the structure of the main analysis section?
The main analysis is divided into sections focusing on each character: Amanda, Tom, Jim, and Laura. Each section explores the character's individual traits and their relationships with the other characters.
How does the analysis relate to Tennessee Williams's life?
The introduction connects Tennessee Williams's personal life and struggles to the themes explored in "The Glass Menagerie," providing context for the play's creation and the characters' experiences.
What is the overall objective of the analysis?
The objective is to examine each character individually and then explore their relationships with one another, focusing on how these relationships contribute to the overall themes of the play.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords include: Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie, character analysis, character relationships, family dynamics, illusion vs. reality, escape, memory, post-war America, dysfunctional family, Southern belle, dreams, and expectations.
What is included in the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, connecting Tennessee Williams's personal life to the play's themes. It establishes the play's context within the post-World War II era and highlights the characters' attempts to escape their difficult realities through dreams and illusions. It also clearly states the paper's aim: to examine the characterization and relationships within the play.
What is covered in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a detailed overview of the content of each chapter, including the introduction and the main sections focusing on Amanda, Tom, Jim, and Laura. They highlight the key aspects of each character analysis and their interrelationships.
- Quote paper
- Maria Fernkorn (Author), 1999, Character constellation and characterization in Tennessee Williams "The Glass Menagerie", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/76501
