The GLASS MENAGERIE
Week #11

A sight to dream of,
not to tell!

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772-1834.


  1. Several times we see Tom having difficulty getting into the apartment. What is the significance of these moments?

  2. Typical of Williams, set design elements take on symbolic significance. This is certainly true of the "fire escape?" Explain.

  3. All through the play Tom smokes. Why is this, perhaps, significant?

  4. What is the significance of the moment at the end of scene three when Tom, who is trying to leave, breaks part of Laura's glass collection?

  5. What is the significance of the rainbow scarf that Tom gives to Laura?

  6. Tom finally agrees to bring the gentleman caller. Amanda agrees that once there's someone to take his place, he's free to leave. In other words, Jim ends up functioning as a surrogate for Tom. To emphasize this, Williams writes in many parallels between Tom and Jim. What are some of these parallels?

  7. The pivotal symbol of the play is the "glass menagerie.: What are the qualities associated with this image?

  8. What is the symbolic significance of the unicorn? What is the significance of the fact that unicorn gets broken and Laura gives it to Jim as a souvenir?

  9. How is Jim a parodied Christ figure?

  10. How does Williams weave Amanda and Laura into the religious symbolism of the play?

  11. What is the common denominator of all the characters in the play?

  12. The play is designed so that that we compare and contrast the characters. What are some examples of this?

  13. One of William's favorite images was the rose. How does Williams bring this image into use, and how does it relate to the Laura and Jim's "blue roses?"

  14. What is the significance of the characters' names?

GOT AN IDEA FOR A
GREAT DISCUSSION QUESTION?

SUBMIT A POTENTIAL DISCUSSION QUESTION
AND IF YOUR QUESTION IS SELECTED:

YOU'LL WIN 5 POINTS,
EQUAL TO 1 PERFECT QUIZ GRADE.


SEND YOUR WINNING DISCUSSION QUESTION NOW!

WANT TO HAVE FUN, NOT WORK?


CLICK HERE ... FOR FUN AND GAMES

Go back to TOP of page
Go back to PREVIOUS PAGE
Go to NEXT PAGE

BACK to: MAIN MENU

Total number of accesses since page first created: .