Questions

1. Tom calls Laura “peculiar,” but Amanda bristles at this word. What is “peculiar” about Laura? Answer for Study Question #1 2. Why is the fire escape important in the play? Answer for Study Question #2 3. Which aspects of The Glass Menagerie are realistic? Which aspects are the most nonrealistic? What function do the nonrealistic elements serve? Answer for Study Question #3 Suggested Essay Topics 1. Who do you think is the main character of the play—Tom, Laura, or Amanda? Why? Is the main character the protagonist? Is there an antagonist? 2. What might happen to Laura after Tom’s departure? What might happen to Amanda? 3. What is the effect of the images and phrases that appear on the screen throughout the play? Do they enhance or detract from the mood of what is occurring onstage? 4. Discuss the symbol of the glass menagerie. What does it represent? Does it represent the same things throughout the play, or does its meaning change? 5. Generally, plays do not have narrators. How does the fact that Tom is the narrator affect the style and content of the play? Would your appraisal of the events be different if there were no narrator?