Title: Crafting a Glass Menagerie Research Paper Outline: A Daunting Task Simplified

Embarking on the journey of writing a thesis or research paper can often feel like navigating through
a labyrinth of ideas, concepts, and analyses. This sentiment is particularly true when delving into the
intricate world of Tennessee Williams' timeless masterpiece, "The Glass Menagerie." Crafting a
research paper outline for this seminal work requires a keen understanding of its themes, characters,
and underlying symbolism. However, with the right approach and guidance, this daunting task can be
simplified.

The Glass Menagerie, with its rich narrative and complex characters, offers a plethora of avenues for
exploration and analysis. From dissecting the nuances of Amanda Wingfield's overbearing nature to
unraveling the symbolism behind Laura's fragile glass figurines, every aspect of the play presents an
opportunity for in-depth examination. Yet, amidst this wealth of material, formulating a coherent
and comprehensive research paper outline can prove to be a challenging endeavor.

One of the primary obstacles that students often encounter is determining the scope and focus of
their research. With so many potential angles to explore, it's easy to become overwhelmed and lose
sight of the overarching thesis. Additionally, balancing the need for depth and breadth of analysis
within the confines of a research paper can be a delicate balancing act.

Furthermore, navigating the vast sea of existing scholarship on "The Glass Menagerie" can add
another layer of complexity to the writing process. Ensuring that your research paper offers fresh
insights and contributes to the existing body of knowledge requires careful attention to detail and
meticulous research.

Fortunately, ⇒ BuyPapers.club ⇔ offers a solution to these challenges. With a team of

experienced writers well-versed in literary analysis and research paper writing, ⇒ BuyPapers.club
⇔ provides invaluable assistance to students undertaking the task of crafting a research paper outline
on "The Glass Menagerie." By entrusting your project to their capable hands, you can rest assured
that your paper will be meticulously researched, thoughtfully structured, and impeccably written.

In conclusion, while writing a thesis or research paper on "The Glass Menagerie" may seem like a
daunting task, it is not an insurmountable one. With the right approach, guidance, and assistance,
you can navigate through the complexities of this timeless masterpiece and emerge with a compelling
and insightful piece of scholarly work. So why struggle alone when ⇒ BuyPapers.club ⇔ is here
to offer you the support you need? Order now and embark on your journey towards academic
success.
What is the symbolic significance of The Glass Menagerie. Tennesse Williams created Laura in the
image of his sister Rose. The reason behind the playwright's choice of Amanda as a chief character
of the play is that her experience and predicament set her to serve as the most express specimen of
the psychological distress that single mothers bear. Amanda, Tom's mother, often narrates to her
children her youthful life and how many suitors pursued her. Insert Name Tutor Course Date
Introduction Literature helps the human society as a whole by depicting the society the way it is and
calling it to reform, through the use of literary devices. There were significant political developments
in Europe, where Hitler had seized power in 1933, and was re-arming at a frantic pace. Its versatility
expresses the play’s underlying reality by channeling Williams’ deeper meanings, as well as
foreshadowing later events. Despite the father being gone from the family, long escaped to Mexico,
his portrait still hangs in the living room and serves as a memorial to what was or could have been
and effectively distorts the reality of the present family situation. These papers were written
primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Glass Menagerie. In essence, The Glass
Menagerie depicts the character Tom and his desire to achieve adventure in life; however he is
trapped providing for his mother and sister. We see his desires and dreams mockingly dancing about
like trapped figures wanting to get out. Williams actually mentions the abnormality of his lighting in
the author’s production notes writing, “The lighting in the play is not realistic” (Williams 751).
Cambridge University Press, 2006. 4. Bloom, Harold. Tennessee Williams's The glass menagerie.
Whatkind of glass is it?Laura: Little articles of it, they're ornaments mostly. As Tom says, “.I am the
opposite of a stage magician. Thus, in the character of Amanda, the playwright is able to demonstrate
the extent to which suffering can rob one of her personal aspirations and desires. The sufferings and
setbacks that Laura has encountered culminate into her making a collection of glass figurines, as a
way of creating a world of her own (Williams, Scene 1). The play also involved the character of
Tom’s father, Mr. Wingfield, who had abandoned the family long time ago. Her mother references
The Glass Menagerie when talking about Laura and comments “She lives in a world of her own—a
world of—little glass ornaments” (scene v). Amanda also concentrates on showing off her own
qualities even if they are non-existent and she demonstrates this as she continues with the gentleman
caller's story. This manipulation led to a “closer approach to truth” and a “closer, more penetrating
approach and vivid expression of things as they are” (Maiti 7). London: Greenhaven Press, 1998. 16.
Waldman, Mel. A view through the Glass Menagerie. Questions to Consider for Discussion Who is
Tennessee Williams and what type of audience was he attempting to impress. Her mother references
the glass menagerie when talking about Laura and comments “She lives in a world of her own—a
world of—little glass ornaments” (scene v). She ignores the fact that her daughter doesn’t have the
correct social skills to entertain gentlemen callers, as she is very reclusive and terrified of the opposite
sex and also that Laura is crippled, Amanda must realise the more she ignores the fact it wont just
disappear. Therefore the Glass Menagerie is indeed memory, but firmly set on the base of reality.
We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email. Tom represents unrest and boredom,
but he also provides the money and stability for the family to keep living in its present state.
Evidently glass is her only source of solace and contentment where she can simply be. He set the
action in a period of history rather than in an undefined time, with specific references to historic
events such as the Spanish Civil War and the looming threat of World War II.
When the dance music “All the world is waiting for the sunrise!” is played it is done so when
Amanda is gazing at the picture on the wall of her estranged husband, who ran away to Mexico. I
turn around and look into her eyes.(97)Tom has tried to get away from his sister’s ghost, but these
lines make it clear he hasbeen unable to lose her memory. Tom refers to this in his opening speech,
referring to the “.huge middle class of America” whose “.eyes had failed them, or they had failed
their eyes, and were having their fingers pressed forcibly down on the fiery Braille alphabet of a
failing economy.” (Scene 1, p. 234) This rather fanciful metaphor can be interpreted as that the
middle class were unwilling to confront such a bleak present and future in which there was no hope
of regaining their former wealth. Since the 1920s, women could also work, but their income was
substantially smaller than that of a man, and their career choices were limited. Therefore the Glass
Menagerie is indeed memory, but firmly set on the base of reality. Chicago: Continuum International
Publishing, 2005. 3. Bigsby, C. A critical introduction to twentieth-century American drama:
Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee. Three characters in three books: Oedipus in
Oedipus Rex, Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman In
each story, the hero misunderstands himself as much as his own family disdains him. I pass the
lighted window of a shop where perfume is sold. Parents first created within the relationship
between appearance. Let us write or edit the research paper on your topic. In ' The Glass Menagerie '
by Tennessee Williams, Tom Wingfield initiates the play by introducing the principal characters who
happen to be his family. Her pure and inalterable attachment to her glass menagerie can be associated
with for example say a wineglass’s pure and clear structure. Each of your claims should have two
pieces of evidence(direct quotations from the text). Whatkind of glass is it?Laura: Little articles of
it, they're ornaments mostly. The reason behind the playwright's choice of Amanda as a chief
character of the play is that her experience and predicament set her to serve as the most express
specimen of the psychological distress that single mothers bear. The play reflects his family life,
where he portrays the St. The confusion in the mind of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex, compulsion for
Nora Elmer in A Doll's House and constriction in the mind of Laura in The Glass Menagerie all get
evaporated, when these fictional characters undergo self-realization. However, at the end of the play,
one of the figurines is broken by a potential suitor and Laura remains unfazed. This is an evident
reference to glass regarding the plays visual setting whereby the writer’s objective of it being illusory
is achieved. During an angry scene in which Tom declares his mother Amanda an “old witch”, Tom
accidentally breaks some of the figurines when throwing his coat across the room and is stopped in
his tracks. Jim is apologetic, but Laura, despite being upset returns with, “he will feel more at home
with the other horses, the ones that don’t have horns”. This repetition reminds the audience of the
nostalgic, yet depressing mood of the play, which further assists Williams in communicating the
immersed meaning. Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1992. 15. Siebold, Thomas. Readings on The
glass menagerie. In a well developed five paragraph essay you need to make three sub claims
thatsupport this primary claim. If we look closely theseobjects are mentioned in virtually every scene
of the play. In fact, this expression becomes synonymous to an excuse he uses during his discussion
with fellow workers including Jim. They talk together, quite intimately, over dandelion wine and
candlelight. By disassociating her with the outside world, the same low self-esteem is definitely
bound to eat into her exploits and potential. Rise and Shine!' I say to myself, 'How lucky dead
people are!' But I get up. The themes in The Glass Menagerie include the struggle to find one's place
in the world, the importance of illusion and escape, and the destructive power of memory.
The Glass Menagerie shines a light on being an outsider and being restless through the perspectives
of three different individuals. He took this opportunity, making it seemingly impossible to miss the
truth and gave the audience, “truth in the pleasant guise of illusion” (Williams 752). Parents first
created within the relationship between appearance. Tennessee Williams' play, The Glass Menagerie,
is narrated by Tom Wingfield from his memory. Set in St. Louis in 1937, the play centers around
three main characters: Amanda Wingfield, the mother; Laura Wingfield, the sister; and Tom
Wingfield, the narrator. Ben bernanke thesis: the wingfields: existence symbolized in nigeria essays
at san jose stage. After our tangle with the bramble and the broken woodland, Africa has won us
back. We, therefore, see not an objective portrayal but one that is colored by his personal experiences
as he retells us the story. Tom is condemned by most people as an irresponsible runaway. Like the
tiny glass animals, she is delicate, beautiful in her oddness and terribly fragile. This is 100% legal.
You may not submit downloaded papers as your own, that is cheating. Also you. Another character
who features prominently in the play is Amanda Wingfield, the mother to Tom and Laura. Tom can’t
openly write when his mother is there just as Laura’s glass polishing is interrupted by the appearance
of Amanda. We imagine that if the glass were to break, his dreams could be set free to be. The glass
menagerie is very important for Laura and ironically her happiness or unhappiness affects the rest.
Williams’s essay paper subject and browse essay prompt: you will find many people. B. Compare
contrast between amanda and reality and writing service a gentleman caller. LAURA cries out as if
wounded”(24).Williams makes it very clear from this very first reference that we are to see the
Laura’sglass collection as representing her. This paper discusses the character of Tom Wingfield and
elaborates on some of the reasons for considering him as the main character in the play. Props,
setting, and location lend to a fine tuning of the environment in which the history and daily activities
of the people becomes illuminated and shaped. We use cookies to create the best experience for you.
In the works of literature, such as Of Mice and Men and The Glass Menagerie, numerous symbols
are present. On several other occasions throughout the play Tom narrates further, however, the most
important being in the dying stages of the play. I will look at the language he uses in the stage
directions and I will also look at the characters language and movements. Jim is apologetic, but
Laura, despite being upset returns with, “he will feel more at home with the other horses, the ones
that don’t have horns”. Her intimacy with the glass objects is the psychological process of mind.
Carl. On many instances, Tom seems to communicate directly with the audience and thereby seek
their understanding and approval of his feelings. As Amanda remains stuck in her illusions with
which she gets obsessed to align the much-favored reality for Laura, the latter proceeds to keep her
world with the glass menagerie. This is the evident reason of conflict between them both suggesting
everlasting peace is unattainable. Upload Read for free FAQ and support Language (EN) Sign in
Skip carousel Carousel Previous Carousel Next What is Scribd. Although the play is fiction, it
presents its audience with “.truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” (Scene 1, p. 234) It tells the
story of Tom’s past through his memories, with him acting as the narrator of the play. Williams
wastes no time in developing the symbolic connection between Lauraand her glass menagerie.
This manipulation led to a “closer approach to truth” and a “closer, more penetrating approach and
vivid expression of things as they are” (Maiti 7). She had a very delicate nature and tendency
towards mental illness, and the new traumatic life in the city made her withdraw more and more into
herself. He doesn’t know what is in store for him, and that he was invited under false pretences by
Tom. Also the 2 nd World War was immanent and in everyone’s minds. The unicorn in its original
state symbolizes something different. As Amanda remains stuck in her illusions with which she gets
obsessed to align the much-favored reality for Laura, the latter proceeds to keep her world with the
glass menagerie. This is also how Laura’s mother Amanda acts towards her only daughter who is
terribly shy, withdrawn from the outside world and also crippled which Amanda chooses to ignore.
He introduces the scenes and gives an insightful commentary into the background of the play.
Laura’s glass figures are notjust a simple piece of setting. The main thing that it symbolizes is an
escape for Laura from the real world. The conflict in the story is that the protagonist is trying to find
a way to save her friend who has been turned into a plant. As Tom states, “Being a memory play, it is
dimly lighted, it is sentimental, it is not realistic.” To accomplish this, the play is set with gauze
transparent portieres and scrims bringing out the illusory quality of memory and its distortions.
Mother calls them a glass menagerie! (82)Arguably the most. She is obsessed with her daughter
finding a man, but whenever the subject of men pops up it is clear Laura is uncomfortable and
nervous. Everyday life is so oppressive that each character, through their dreams, retreats into a
fantasy world. It strikes the shelf of Laura’s glass collection; there is a tinkle of shattering glass. In
response to this, a silhouette of a suited man, waiting at a door holding flowers is projected when the
term was first used, and once again further into the play when Jim arrived at the apartment. To
emphasize this connection is a particular piece, the Unicorn. Menagerie papers. Essay titled essay
detailed plot summary. The author chooses the character of Laura Wingfield because she is the
person who brings out explicitly, the consequences that accost the girl child, in light of absentee
fatherhood. Upload Read for free FAQ and support Language (EN) Sign in Skip carousel Carousel
Previous Carousel Next What is Scribd. Therefore the Glass Menagerie is indeed memory, but firmly
set on the base of reality. In a well developed five paragraph essay you need to make three sub claims
thatsupport this primary claim. In certain scenes in the play, the lighting helps emphasize the main
aspects. Its use of a narrator, lighting and music, and the extensive symbolism are all products of
memory rather than reality. She is confined herself in the security of her house and rarely come out of
that. The locked world in which dreams are the only service to desires and passions becomes more
open in the end of the play, Laura experiencing the genuine affection of a romantic suitor and Tom
seizing the opportunity to truly escape the family home. Student analysis of The Glass Menagerie For
the scene you have been given, explore the following elements and proud CE notes that can be
presented in class and be shared via the blob. In your introduction, you made a case for why your
topic and position are important. In the end, his patience gives in and he ends up abandoning his
family (Bainbridge 92).
It is like looking at a glass and seeing a faint image of your reflection staring back. Additional
materials, such as the best quotations, synonyms and word definitions to make your writing easier are
also offered here. The tragedy in this case is that out of all the men, she picked their father, but he
left her. He doesn’t know what is in store for him, and that he was invited under false pretences by
Tom. She, like Amanda, could be unwittingly cruel in her desire to do the best for her “precious
children.” (Scene 5, p. 266). In his last monologue he refers tothis connection when he tells how his
sister still haunts his thoughts: It always came upon me unawares, taking me altogether by surprise.
The aspect of Laura being a key figure in the play is underscored by the fact that it is her glass
figurines that give the play its name and theme. It is from Tom’s (or rather, Tennessee William’s )
memories that the story is told, and his comments shape our opinions about his family and situation.
Mother calls them a glass menagerie! (82)Arguably the most. He wants to travel, see the world,
embark on new experiences and seek new adventure. Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie:
essays research papers. However, this convention is twisted into his new plastic theater too, as the
piece reoccurs throughout the production. For a woman to ever climb higher than a secretary or
factory overseer (for women only of course) would have been highly unlikely if not impossible.
According to Smith Laura can be considered as a tragic fellow and her fragility is her flaw. Also the
2 nd World War was immanent and in everyone’s minds. Perhaps this is the idea the play revolves
around. Original Description: This is the synthesized version of the the most important detail used in
Tennesse Williams' play the Glass Menagerie. By disassociating her with the outside world, the same
low self-esteem is definitely bound to eat into her exploits and potential. Since it is a memory play it
represents the mental stature than the realistic expression. He even invokes a second symbol when he
talks aboutcandles: “Oh, Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than
Iintended to be. Tom’s character gains significance not just because he happens to be the narrator,
but also because the entire play revolves around him as the provider for the family. Or is it Amanda
who lives lost in her imagined past andcannot find a way to live after her husband abandons her. The
window is filled with pieces of coloured glass, tiny transparent bottles in delicate colours, like bits of
a shattered rainbow. It symbolizes him wanting to escape though unable to. I go! For sixty-five
dollars a month I give up all that I dream of doing and being ever. Her intimacy with the glass
objects is the psychological process of mind. Carl. The main flaw of the character Amanda is her
inability to understand her son Tom. This could on the other hand symbolise something totally
different and relating back to the ominous tango could symbolise the devastation that the people, the
country and economy would suffer in the coming years. She is obsessive and controlling to her
children, because she wants them to live the life she wanted to live. Just as the unicorn is broken, so
is her dream to live a normal life in the world with Jim.
Summary Notes Scenes 1-7 For Later 50% 50% found this document useful, Mark this document as
useful 50% 50% found this document not useful, Mark this document as not useful Embed Share
Print Download now Jump to Page You are on page 1 of 3 Search inside document. Give us your
email address and we’ll send this sample there. Like Amanda, his mother, Edwina Dakin came from
a rich and prestigious southern family, and had to adapt from being a spoilt southern belle to being
the submissive housewife to an increasingly abusive husband. It manifests the imminence of the
gentleman caller. When the father was absent, as in the case of the Wingfields, the eldest son was to
fulfil that responsibility. For example, the glass menagerie, the urge of the protagonist to forget her
sister, and the blowing out of the candles at the end of the play all employ a deeper layer of
meaning. The shift in the meaning of the glass menagerie changes at the end of the play. Her
intimacy with the glass objects is the psychological process of mind. With this freedom came the
opportunity to take advantage of atypical theatrical conventions or shape conventional ones. There
were significant political developments in Europe, where Hitler had seized power in 1933, and was
re-arming at a frantic pace. I reach for a cigarette, I cross the street, I run into the movies or a bar,
Ibuy a drink, I speak to the nearest stranger - anything that can blow your candlesout!”(97). Visitors
combined with which gets assist with assignment. 1A. Optometry admissions essays and reference.
Hermann notes that his love for reading met with constant disapproval from his family, especially his
mother (46). She, like Amanda, could be unwittingly cruel in her desire to do the best for her
“precious children.” (Scene 5, p. 266). The only way he can escape is by breaking through which
would obviously cause great damage. Handle with care.” This is exactly what can be said of Laura.
Laura features in the play as the daughter of the Wingfields and Tom Wingfield's older sister as one
of the principal characters. Both tales revolve around The American Dream and its challenging
nature to attain. The aspect of Laura being a key figure in the play is underscored by the fact that it
is her glass figurines that give the play its name and theme. Williams, through techniques such as the
narrative perspective of Tom, stage techniques (lighting, music, images) and symbolism, establishes
an intriguing play enabling the reader to resonate with most aspects of it. Therefore much of the
material Williams used in the Menagerie and his other play is, or rather was reality. Another time that
we see examples of all of these is when the gentleman callers do arrive. She prepares an elaborate
dinner and insists that Laura wear a new dress. In his last monologue he refers tothis connection
when he tells how his sister still haunts his thoughts: It always came upon me unawares, taking me
altogether by surprise. Thus, the actions and beliefs of Tom are widely considered to be a direct
reflection of the author’s own youth. This can be seen in scene three when Tom and his mother,
Amanda, argue. Why, listen, if self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is GONE!” (Siebold
97) Bigsby believes that Tom’s role also assumed significance during the latter part of the play when
he feels a deep regret for having left his family (164). Ultimately, individual fulfillment and
contentment is attained from being able to contribute to the happiness and contentment of others in
the wider society one is in. The sufferings and setbacks that Laura has encountered culminate into
her making a collection of glass figurines, as a way of creating a world of her own (Williams, Scene
1). You can download the paper by clicking the button above.
In these two plays, even expressing differently, mothers all show love to their children; they all want
their children. In the seventh scene, Williams has the legend project, “SOUVENIR”, foreshadowing
Jim O’Conner never coming back, as he is engaged to Betty (Williams 781). She relates all the
present events with that of the past ones occurred in her own life. As he always goes to the movies
he will have seen how the other half live and want those things for himself and the only way he
thinks he will ever get them is if he leaves his mother and sister. I additionally see this as a way of
him presenting his annoyance towards his mother's obsession with men. In the first scene we see the
family having dinner and discussing if Laura will have any gentlemen callers that night. The fire
escape, where Tom spends much of his time on in the play, is very symbolic of his desire to escape
the informal boundaries he is trapped in. “ In Spain there was Guernica. This change in music also
symbolises the change in mood of the whole American population with the uncertainty about the war
and life in general. Throughout the novel, Laura’s shy, awkward and antisocial character quickly
becomes evident and this is reflected in her glass menagerie which she takes much pride in. The first
two lines of the poem establish his thorough knowledge of the Lond. They were capable, and it was
acceptable for them to support themselves financially. Both elements work together hand in hand to
create a fascinating whole, a masterpiece of a truly great playwright. In doing so, Williams
emphasizes how hurt Laura is by the situation, perhaps to reiterate the fragility of Laura, which is a
central idea of this play. As Amanda remains stuck in her illusions with which she gets obsessed to
align the much-favored reality for Laura, the latter proceeds to keep her world with The Glass
Menagerie. It is like looking at a glass and seeing a faint image of your reflection staring back. The
tragedy in this case is that out of all the men, she picked their father, but he left her. Williams
recreated himself in the guise of Tom Wingfield, who has much in common with the young Williams.
Tennessee’s real name was also Tom (or rather, Thomas Lanier), and both try to escape the harsh
reality of city life, Tom by “going to the movies” (Scene 3, p. 252) and Tennessee, who buried
himself in the fantasy world of books. Because Williams clarifies the characters’ feelings through the
device, the audience better understands the situation. Through the character of Amanda, Williams
presents the complicated relationship that financially distressed and troubled single mothers have
with reality. Therefore the immediate effects of Amanda and Tom’s tensions or outbursts directly
affect Laura. Laura cries out and turns away, and Tom glances guiltily at Laura as his mother
demands an apology. Most ofthem are little animals made out of glass, the tiniest littleanimals in the
world. The virginal daughter Laura Wingfield is someone whose dreams are as fragile as the animals
in her precious glass collection. He only sent the family a postcard, this was no use as all it contained
was “hello, goodbye”. The locked world in which dreams are the only service to desires and passions
becomes more open in the end of the play, Laura experiencing the genuine affection of a romantic
suitor and Tom seizing the opportunity to truly escape the family home. Despite his attempts to
escape his past, Tom tells the audience at the end Escapism Doesn't Work In Tennessee Williams'
play “ The Glass Menagerie,” the story is told of a small family. “ The Glass Menagerie. Amanda is
conscious of their financial dependence. Some conventions of drama include narration, music, use of
placards, and lighting (“Epic” 1-11). What is the symbolic significance of The Glass Menagerie. She,
like Amanda, could be unwittingly cruel in her desire to do the best for her “precious children.”
(Scene 5, p. 266).