Classic Book Club: The Glass Menagerie

“The scene is memory and is therefore nonrealistic. Memory takes a lot of poetic license. It omits some details; others are exaggerated, according to the emotional value of the articles it touches, for memory is seated predominantly in the heart.” 

― Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie

Summary:

No play in the modern theatre has so captured the imagination and heart of the American public as Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie.

Menagerie was Williams's first popular success and launched the brilliant, if somewhat controversial, career of our pre-eminent lyric playwright. Since its premiere in Chicago in 1944, with the legendary Laurette Taylor in the role of Amanda, the play has been the bravura piece for great actresses from Jessica Tandy to Joanne Woodward, and is studied and performed in classrooms and theaters around the world. Read more! 

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What character did you connect to the most?

Stephanie- This was my first time reading this book. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. There were parts of each of them that I could relate to at times, but overall there wasn’t one character that I was rooting for or feeling more emotions for because I felt disconnected from them throughout most of the book. I do think that the four characters were interesting and they had distinct personalities. 

Jess- If I had to pick a character to connect with in this book, it would have to be Tom, the narrator. He wants to get out of the scene and start something new and exciting, and I can relate to feeling this way. Both Amanda and her daughter were hard to connect with for me. 

Do you think the story transcends time? Why do you think it is considered a classic?

Stephanie- I think some of the themes in the book transcend time, such as the way we remember things that have happened and being left by someone we love. I thought a lot of the book seemed dated, such as the relationship between the mother and her son and the fact that she wanted him to be the head of the household since their father was gone. The mother is worried that her daughter will end up unmarried and alone and this plays a major role in the book. This made the story seem dated, because we don’t live in a society where women must get married in order to be a successful adult. Although this seemed old fashioned to me, I could understand that it was relevant at the time the book was written. I think it is considered a classic because the way the play is written allows it to be adapted based on the director's choices.  

Jess- I completely agree with Stephanie. The aspect of this play that transcends time would be the different interpretations that could influence the story or the era in which it’s being presented. 

Did you enjoy the book? Did it pull you in; or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? Why or why not? 

Stephanie- The book was short and I was luckily able to read it over two days. I was never really captivated by the story, but I was able to finish it without a problem. I didn’t have strong feelings towards the book, which makes it a little difficult to discuss. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. It isn’t a book I would want to read again, but I would see it on stage, as I am curious about how the storyline would be interpreted and played out in a different format. 

Jess- The scene was interesting, but the story fizzled for me quickly. I was also not captivated by the story or characters, and found it to be a bit dull. I felt that I had to force myself to pick it up, but luckily it is a fast read. 

Has anyone else read The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams? What did you think?

~ Stephanie & Jess