Literary Analysis by Hannah Burns
In his review of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, James Tophan contends that the play lacks southern fire and passion but it makes up for it in poetry and emotional power. Specifically, he argues that the play deals with the difference of opinion between the way one wants to see things, and the way things truly are. The Wingfield family loves eachother, but they all want different things. Amanda has a hard time accepting the reality of her childrens lives, which leads her to see things for them the way she wants them to be, verses accepting things the way that they truly are. When Amanda has Tom get a gentlemen caller for Laura, she doesn't even ask Laura if that is what she wants. Amanda pushes her children to do things without taking into consideration what her children truly want.
I agree. In my view, while the play might lack a little passion and fire, it's poetry and emotional power contribute to making the play more intriguing.For instance, when Tom is talking about his flashbacks, he pours his emotions into what he is saying. This helps give us readers a feeling of what he went through. Yet, I would argue that the play could use a little more passion and fire to spice it up a bit. Overall, I believe the emotional power and poetry were enough to make up for the lack of southern fire and passion.
I agree. In my view, while the play might lack a little passion and fire, it's poetry and emotional power contribute to making the play more intriguing.For instance, when Tom is talking about his flashbacks, he pours his emotions into what he is saying. This helps give us readers a feeling of what he went through. Yet, I would argue that the play could use a little more passion and fire to spice it up a bit. Overall, I believe the emotional power and poetry were enough to make up for the lack of southern fire and passion.
