#5

In theatre the audience generally plays the role of the “fly on the wall.” As viewers and readers, we surreptitiously follow the characters and are able to experience the events vicariously through several points of view. Though we are not always omniscient, there are often aspects or other sides to a story we know that the characters within the play may not yet be aware of. In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams forgoes this norm for a more unique presentation.

In the first scene as we read background information, the play seems fairly ordinary. And yet, as we continue to read the stage description, it’s clear that a specific person is speaking. Rather than being cold and unemotional, the passage makes connections and explains the setting in a rather humane way. Soon, it comes out that Tom - the main character - is in fact, the narrator of the play.

While the play itself announces that it is a “memory and is therefore non-realistic,” the play is heavily influenced by Williams’ own personal life. A brief overview of his life makes certain connections obvious: Tom is based after himself (the name even coming from his real name “Thomas”), his sister Rose serves as the basis for Laura, and of course, his mother is the model for Amanda. As a result, the narration, description of events, and stage directions are almost autobiographical in nature. The play again announces that it is a memory and is therefore “sentimental” and not “realistic.” So while the audience tends to side with Tom’s recollection and breakdown of the events, one can’t help but also wonder how biased they are. As I said, with most other plays we are fairly sure of our opinions since they aren’t swayed by any one character’s influence. In the case of The Glass Menagerie however, I can’t help but wonder if Tom’s interpretation is somewhat off or extreme.

We have not yet finished the play and since this is my first time reading it, I am not completely sure to what effect Williams creates this partisan play. It’s possible that as he got older, Williams better understood the gravity of his sister’s medical situation and realized that though he may have always seen his mother as overly dramatic and antiquated, this was his interpretation and was influenced by the difficult and trying circumstances. On the other hand, perhaps this play was written as a condemnation of his mother, coming after his sister’s unsuccessful and dangerous lobotomy. Still, regardless of the specifics, I find the way in which the play is set up extremely interesting. Though I feel a bit like a horse with blinders on, unable to see everything that is happening completely, the singular perspective from which I am experiencing this story is very interesting.