Comprehension
Who serves as both a character and the narrator of the play?
Tom
How does Amanda’s behavior reveal her values and fears as a mother?
Amanda values security and social respectability, and she fears her children will have no future if they don’t follow her guidance.
Identify one example of symbolism in these scenes and explain its meaning.
Answers may varry.
What do we learn about the father’s role in the family from Tom’s opening monologue?
From Tom’s opening monologue, we learn that the father abandoned the family, leaving only a postcard that said “Hello—Goodbye!” His absence forces Amanda, Tom, and Laura to struggle on their own, but his portrait remains, symbolizing the lasting impact of his desertion.
What is the significance of the fire escape in Tom’s life?
The fire escape symbolizes Tom’s desire to escape his confining home and seek freedom.
How does Williams use stage directions to create mood or reveal character?
His stage directions describe lighting, music, and gestures that highlight emotions, such as tension during Tom and Amanda’s arguments.
How does Amanda describe her past, especially in relation to her “gentleman callers”?
Amanda proudly recalls having many “gentleman callers” in her youth, presenting herself as popular and admired.
How does Laura’s shyness affect her relationship with her mother?
Laura’s extreme shyness frustrates Amanda, who worries it prevents her from attracting suitors or living independently.
What is ironic about Amanda’s attempt to sell magazines by telephone?
She criticizes Tom for being unrealistic, yet her own plan is impractical and desperate.
Why is Laura unable to continue attending business college?
Laura is too shy and anxious; she becomes physically ill during typing classes and drops out.
What does the glass menagerie symbolize for Laura?
It symbolizes her fragility, isolation, and retreat into a fantasy world.
What literary device is used in Tom’s description of the movies and how they relate to his desire to escape?
He uses hyperbole and imagery to exaggerate the adventure and excitement he craves compared to his dull reality.
What is Laura’s main source of comfort at home?
Laura finds comfort in her glass animal collection, the “glass menagerie,” which represents her fragile inner world.
Why is Amanda upset with Tom during Scene 3?
She is angry at his late nights, drinking, and obsession with the movies, which she believes are irresponsible and destructive.
How do the fragments of the broken glass menagerie foreshadow Laura’s fragility?
The broken pieces foreshadow how Laura’s world, like the glass, can easily shatter under pressure.