The Glass Menagerie

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The Glass Menagerie

• Study Questions (1-20)

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Question 1

• Who is the fifth character in the play and how
  is his presence established?
• The missing father, Mr. Wingfield, is the fifth
  character.
• We are reminded of him by the photograph of him
  in uniform.

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Question 2

• In what way is Tom parallel to this character?
• Tom is left to take his fathers role as man of
  the family.
• Tom eventually leaves as his father did and
  joined the merchant marines.
• He is shown in the opening in a military uniform.

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Question 3

• What does Amanda reveal about her past in scene
  1?
• She grew up on Blue Mountain and once had
  seventeen gentleman callers.

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Question 4

• How does Williams reveal that Amanda often thinks
  about her past?
• Laura says, Let her tell it. She loves to tell
  it.
• She is continually talking about her many beaux
  and her popularity on Blue Mountain.

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Question 5

• What happens to Laura at the Rubicam Business
  College?
• She becomes so ill over a typing test that she
  throws up in front of the class and leaves in
  despair, never to return.

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Question 6

• How can you account for Lauras behavior? What
  plan of Amandas does she upset?
• Laura reacts out of fear, shyness, and
  insecurity.
• Amanda plans for Laura to be a secretary so that
  she can take care of herself and Amanda.

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Question 7

• What new plan for Lauras future does Amanda
  begin to develop in scene 2?
• She plans to find Laura a husband.
• Marriage is the only alternative that Amanda sees
  for her daughter.

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Question 8

• Summarize the argument between Tom and Amanda in
  scene 3.
• Amanda is concerned with the survival of the
  family.
• Tom feels trapped under the weight of all that
  responsibility.

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Question 9

• What sort of agreement does Amanda try to reach
  with Tom about Laura in scene 4?
• If Tom will find Laura a husband at the
  warehouse, Amanda will let Tom leave to pursue
  his own dreams.

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Question 10

• How is the song playing at the Paradise Dance
  Hall ironic?
• The song is The World Is Waiting for the
  Sunrise.
• The world is facing the Great Depression and the
  future does not look bright.
• The world is waiting for a new war, World War II,
  not good times.

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Question 11

• Which character seems to have a more accurate and
  realistic understanding of Laura in scene 5? Why?
• Tom recognizes Lauras insecurity and inability
  to deal with social situations.
• He recognizes that she is crippled and peculiar.

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Question 12

• How does Amanda react to the news of a gentleman
  caller?
• Amanda goes to extraordinary lengths to trap
  Jim for Laura.
• Amanda redecorates the apartment, buys Laura new
  clothes, and plans an elaborate dinner.

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Question 13

• How does Laura react to the news of a gentleman
  caller?
• Laura is terrified and becomes totally
  incapacitated.

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Question 14

• Describe Lauras feelings towards Jim during the
  conversation and the dancing in scene 7.
• Laura, at first, is very nervous and the
  conversation is strained.
• Laura then begins to relax and enjoy herself.
• She experiences life through Jim.

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Question 15

• Describe Jims feelings towards Laura.
• He is attracted to her but confused about his
  reaction to the kiss.
• If he were unattached, he would be free to date
  Laura, but since he is not, he quickly explains
  his situation and apologizes for accidentally
  leading her on.

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Question 16

• Explain the symbolism of the broken unicorn (both
  whole and broken).
• As a whole piece, the unicorn represents a world
  of illusion, something fragile and unique.
• As a broken piece, the unicorn represents the
  world of reality and the hope of a normal life.

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Question 17

• Why does Laura give the broken unicorn to Jim as
  a souvenir?
• Jim takes away Lauras potential for a normal
  life because he leaves her.

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Question 18

• What is Toms situation at the close of the play?
• He has escaped by joining the merchant marines.
• He now has adventures all over the world and on
  the wide open sea.

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Question 19

• To what degree has he achieved his dreams of
  escape and adventure?
• He has traveled to many places as a merchant
  sailor, but he has never been able to leave the
  memory of his sister behind.
• Tom is still trapped figuratively because Laura
  will not blow the candle out.

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Question 20

• Describe Laura and Amandas situation at the end
  of the play.
• Both of them live in hopeless despair.
• Amanda has to take care of Laura alone. She must
  work to support them.
• Laura never breaks out of her illusory shell and
  so does not realize any of Amandas dreams for
  her.