The Glass Menagerie Group

Question:

michelleuyen
michelleuyen
Student
College - Senior

What are the religious references  in scene 7 of "The Glass Menagerie"?

(eg. Moses “in the dark”)

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Posted by michelleuyen on Tuesday June 17, 2008 at 7:39 AM and tagged with characters, moses, religious allusions, scene 7, the glass menagerie.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This exchange between Amanda and Jim is an attempt by Amanda to feel comfortable with the dark while Jim is at the apartment for dinner.  She has to make light of the embarrassing situation, so she references the bible, Moses, a very serious topic.  

    "AMANDA. Where was Moses when the lights went out? Ha-ha. Do you know the answer to that one, Mr. O'Connor?

    JIM. No, Ma'am, what's the answer?

    AMANDA. In the dark!" (Williams, pg. 67)

    Amanda gives a sense of honor to being in the dark by making a joke associating her situation with Moses.  

    Amanda is a survivor, maybe she feels like Moses did with the difficult job he had, leading the Jewish people to the promised land.  She has an impossible task in front of her also.  She has to find a husband for Laura. 

    She is hoping for a miracle with Mr. O'Connor; Amanda is feeling very spiritual, hoping and praying that Jim will like Laura.

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Wednesday June 18, 2008 at 2:31 PM