The Glass Menagerie (Magill Book Reviews)

At a glance:

By means of a direct monologue to the audience, Tom reports that his father, “falling in love with long distance,” has deserted the family, leaving Tom to care for Laura, a plain sister with a slight limp, and Amanda, the neurotic mother unable to let go of the genteel courting traditions of her Southern upbringing. In one of the most touching scenes in American theater, Tom describes to Laura his exciting night at the magic show, a symbol of all the life experiences Tom is sacrificing to care for his family.

Browbeaten by Amanda into bringing home a gentleman caller for Laura, Tom finally confronts Amanda with her illusions and storms from the house, knocking over Laura’s delicate glass menagerie. The unicorn’s horn is broken, and this event, aside from its possible sexual meaning, symbolizes the loss of magic that occurs in the household with Tom’s departure.

Williams’ play, which began his very successful career, is an archetypal example of a distinctly American combination of themes: the disintegration of the American family as a result of the inbred sense of adventure and exploration in the American soul. Transcending its Southern ambience, the play speaks to every family’s struggle between generations. If Amanda presents her side of the struggle with unusual zeal and power, it is a tribute to Williams’ skill at re-creating the universal mother in modern guise. Indeed, since the play’s first appearance, the role of Amanda has become one of the most coveted parts on the American stage.

Suggested Readings

Bigsby, C. W. E. A Critical Introduction to Twentieth Century American Drama. 3 vols. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982-1985.

Devlin, Albert J., ed. Conversations with Tennessee Williams. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1986.

Donahue, Francis. The Dramatic World of Tennessee Williams. New York: Frederick Ungar, 1964. A discussion of Williams’ plays, with a focus on The Glass Menagerie.

Leavitt, Richard F., ed. The World of Tennessee Williams. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1978. A competent introduction to the playwright and his plays, focusing on his themes.

Leverich, Lyle. Tom: The Unknown Tennessee Williams. New York: Crown, 1995.

Nelson, Benjamin. Tennessee Williams: The Man and His Work. New York: Obolensky, 1961. The first comprehensive study of the playwright and his work.

Spoto, Donald. The Kindness of Strangers: The Life of Tennessee Williams. Boston: Little, Brown, 1985. The first complete critical biography of Williams. Delineates the connections between the playwright’s work and life.

Stanton, Stephen S., ed. Tennessee Williams: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1977. Cogent, in-depth analysis of Williams’ plays, including The Glass Menagerie.