Published by: SLar (Karma: 335.46) on 3 September 2008 | Views: 3103
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The Glass Menagerie is a play by Tennessee Williams that was originally written as a screenplay for MGM, to whom Williams was contracted. The play premiered in Chicago in 1944, and in 1945 won the prestigious New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The Glass Menagerie was Williams' first successful play; he went on to become one of America's most highly regarded playwrights. The Glass Menagerie is accounted by many to be an autobiographical play about Williams' life, the characters and story mimicking his own more closely than any of his other works. Williams (whose real name is Thomas) would be Tom, his Mother, Amanda, and his sickly and disturbed sister Rose would be Laura (whose nickname in the play is "Blue Roses"). (From Wikipedia)
Plot Summary
The play is introduced to the audience by Tom as a memory play, based on his recollection. Amanda's husband left the family long ago, and she remains stuck in the past. Tom works in a factory, doing his best to support his family. Amanda is obsessed with finding a suitor for Laura, who spends most of her time with her glass collection. Tom eventually brings Jim home for dinner at the insistence of his mother, who hopes Jim will be the long-awaited suitor for Laura. Laura realizes that Jim is the man she loved in high school and has thought of ever since. He dashes her hopes, telling her that he is already engaged, and then leaves. Tom leaves too, and never returns to see his family again. (From Wikipedia)
