Play Guide [1.2MB PDF] - Arizona Theatre Company
Play Guide [1.2MB PDF] - Arizona Theatre Company
Play Guide [1.2MB PDF] - Arizona Theatre Company
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DISCUSSION<br />
5. What is the signifi cance of the moment when Tom, who is trying to leave, breaks part of<br />
Laura's glass collection?<br />
6. What is the symbolic signifi cance of the unicorn? Why is it signifi cant that Laura gives<br />
the unicorn to Jim as a souvenir once its horn has been broken? Why does Laura say<br />
“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise” about the unicorn’s broken horn?<br />
7. Tom fi nally agrees to bring the gentleman caller. Amanda agrees that once there's<br />
someone to take Tom’s place, he's free to leave. In other words, Jim ends up functioning<br />
as a surrogate for Tom. To emphasize this, Williams writes in many parallels between Tom<br />
and Jim. What are some of these parallels?<br />
8. Consider Amanda’s character throughout the play. Is she an admirable person or a silly,<br />
frustrated woman? Does she arouse your sympathy, or do you think Williams wants you to<br />
dislike her? Explain.<br />
9. A play is put in motion by some element that upsets the situation at the beginning of the<br />
story. What is the element that sets this play in motion? How does it upset the opening<br />
situation, and how does it set the play in motion?<br />
10. What is the signifi cance of the "blue roses" in the play?<br />
11. Each of the Wingfi elds escapes from his or her own unpleasant reality into a<br />
comforting, private world. Amanda escapes from her present circumstances by<br />
remembering and talking about her youth, her beauty, and her romantic successes.<br />
How does Laura escape from the real world? What does Tom do to escape from his<br />
unhappiness?<br />
12. How is Laura's relationship with Tom different from her relationship with Amanda?<br />
How can you tell that Tom is truly fond of Laura?<br />
13. Amanda often refers to her absent husband, and in the original stage directions his<br />
grinning picture is highlighted at various times during the play. What does the photograph<br />
represent to Amanda? To Tom? How is the photograph a constant threat to Amanda and<br />
Laura's survival?<br />
14. In the middle of the play, Tom displays an attitude toward his mother that he has not<br />
shown before. Describe that attitude, and fi nd the lines of dialogue that reveal it.<br />
Cite two lines of dialogue that show that Amanda is also trying to behave differently<br />
toward Tom.<br />
15. The gentleman caller scene is a perfect little play within a play. How are basic<br />
dramatic elements used in this scene: characters you care about placed in a situation<br />
where much is at stake, taking steps to get what they want?<br />
The Glass Menagerie<br />
<strong>Arizona</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong> <strong>Company</strong> <strong>Play</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> 27