The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams – Introduction by Robert Bray Essay Example

Glass Menagerie is a timeless play that remains popular and attracts renowned actresses, such as Helen Hayes, Jessica Tandy, Katharine Hepburn, and Joanne Woodward. Its enduring appeal is due to its portrayal of familial tensions and domestic conflict - themes common in many great American plays like Long Day’s Journey into Night, Death of a Salesman, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Buried Child. This concept of family struggles has been prevalent since ancient times with roots traced back to Aeschylus. Tennessee Williams' depiction of the Wingfield family in The Glass Menagerie evokes various emotions from audiences. It's worth noting that the play held special significance for Williams as he based most characters on his own family members.

When Tennessee's family relocated from Mississippi to St. Louis, he had to work in a shoe company to make ends meet while pursuing his writing on the side. Unfortunately, his sister Rose suffered from an illness that troubled the family deeply. Tennessee's mother Edwina closely resembled the character Amanda, but his brother Dakin and Mr. Williams had no equivalent counterparts.

Tennessee Williams created a character in his play reminiscent of a gentleman caller he brought home for his sister. The three characters in the play face a tough situation, each struggling with their inner demons and trying to hide their problems to prevent the family from collapsing further. As the play progresses, Tom faces a difficult decision - either pursue personal freedom like his father or sacrifice himself for his mother and sister. Though leaving his sister will haunt him, Tom decides to free himself and pursue his dreams, embodying the "fugitive kind" character common in

Williams' writing.

Amanda reminisces about a time when numerous gentleman callers would visit her, but now she cannot live in the present. Her memories of summer days in the south, adorned in beautiful dresses surrounded by jonquils, keep her longing for the past and distant from her current situation in St. Louis. Although Amanda shares these tales to lift her daughter's spirits, she understands that finding a mate for Laura is unlikely.

It is challenging to discern whether Amanda genuinely desires what is best for her children or if she attempts to maintain their proximity to herself. Her controlling tendencies may cloud the situation. Additionally, Laura, with her physical imperfections and timidity, bears resemblance to the delicate creatures displayed on her shelf. As a result, she struggles to navigate the outside world. Jim O’Connor, a former high school star, has not accomplished much in his life since that time.

Despite barely making more than Tom currently, he still remains hopeful for his future. Jim and Laura's time together is important to her, and when the unicorn's horn breaks, it feels like a curse has been lifted. Laura mistakenly believes she can find a partner after their kiss, but her hope shatters when she learns about Betty. Unfortunately, Jim doesn't realize the impact he's had and leaves soon after.

Despite being a quiet play, Tennessee Williams' skillful ability to generate emotional scenes out of nothing makes this play highly exceptional and still popular even today. The characters' cries of despair are heard from the silence in the play, as Williams portrays it.