Discussion Topic
The enduring relevance and popularity of The Glass Menagerie for contemporary audiences
Summary:
The enduring relevance and popularity of The Glass Menagerie for contemporary audiences stem from its universal themes of memory, family dynamics, and the struggle between reality and illusion. These timeless issues resonate with modern viewers, making the play's exploration of human emotions and relationships continually significant and relatable.
Is The Glass Menagerie still relevant today? Why has it retained its popularity?
Before you consider whether or not The Glass Menagerie still means something to readers today, consider what it would take for a text to remain relevant throughout changes in cultural and political attitudes. That text needs to incorporate some themes that are consistently important, no matter the social climate of the time. These are known as “universal themes,” and they often deal with larger-than-life ideas, such as what it means to be human, what it means to love, or the concept of family. The Glass Menagerie depicts several of these themes through the interactions of the Wingfield family.
You could also argue that this play remains relevant because it features relatable characters. What student today hasn’t struggled with anxiety, even if not on the level that Laura Wingfield seems to have it? We’ve all daydreamed about just walking out of class and never going back. Similarly, Tom’s resentment for the...
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responsibility he holds is a common feeling among those forced to complete an objective they didn’t choose for themselves, and Amanda’s tendency to live in her past glory days is common among those experiencing a mid-life crisis.
I believe that universal themes and relatable characters keep The Glass Menagerie in the theater and the classroom, and they will most likely continue to do so for many more years to come.
I agree with your take on the reasons for the play's continuing relevance. In addition, the manner of escapism that Laura takes to deal with her personal difference is still relevant because people resort to various methods of escape in their attempt to avoid reality and live in an illusory world.
The play has retained its popularity because many of the issues raised in the play are still with us today. Amanda is a single parent, forced to raise two children on her own. She refuses to let Laura even mention her disability and therefore, Laura seems unable to cope with being different. Many people who are different in some way face the same self-doubts as Laura. Tom is forced into being the bread winner for his family due to circumstances beyond his control. He and his mother do not understand each other. Today, many parents still do not understand their children and vice-versa. Jim, the big man on campus in high school, finds that he is not so big after he graduates. Many former big men on campus could tell you the same story. In addition, the play says much about the attraction between young men and women and how fickle that attention can be. I think the same holds true today. Finally, the play focuses on the dreams we all have for our futures and the chance that our dreams may not come true. Especially given today's economy, I think people should be prepared and be able to face that the possibility that "you can't have it all."