Student Activities for The Glass Menagerie
Essential Questions for The Glass Menagerie
- What are some of the societal expectations for young people entering into adulthood?
- How can one’s life be a powerful inspiration for a work of fiction?
- How can family obligations get in the way of following one’s dreams?
- Is it wrong to abandon one’s family in order to pursue a dream?
- How can memory change over time?
- What kinds of memories are the most powerful?
Tennessee Williams vs. Tom Wingfield
Tennessee Williams, like many authors and playwrights, drew upon his own life experiences in order to create the characters and situations found in many of his works. In The Glass Menagerie, there are many instances where Tom and Williams’ lives seem to mirror each other. Student will be able to pick up on these similarities with some research on Williams’ life beforehand. Have students research Tennessee Williams, his family, and his early childhood at the following resources. As students read, have them compare Tom, Laura, and Amanda to the real people and situations that occurred in William’s life. When they are done, have students discuss or write about why some authors choose to use their own lives when they are writing works of fiction. What might be some of the benefits and the pitfalls to using real people and situations in a work of fiction?
- https://www.biography.com/writer/tennessee-williams
- https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/tennessee-williams
- https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/tennessee-williams-about-tennessee-williams/737/
- https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/tennessee-williams
The Gentleman Caller
Likely, many students will not understand the importance of a “gentleman caller”, especially to Southern culture in the early 20th century. A gentleman caller, or a caller, was a young man who sought to find out the availability of a young woman for a date. Often, he would be asked by an older family member to come and meet the girl; other times, he would meet her and then “call on her” at her family home. The gentleman caller is less a boyfriend than just a date, and sometimes a young girl had many callers to choose from, as Amanda claims she did in the play. This would sometimes result in a competition between the young men, who would jockey to win the affections of the young woman. If her family also approved of him, after a courtship (term of exclusive dating), the young man would eventually propose marriage.
How Tos about The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Engage students with a creative memory scrapbook activity
Introduce the concept of memory scrapbooks related to the play. Explain how this project helps students connect personally to themes in The Glass Menagerie.
Guide students to select meaningful memories inspired by the play
Ask students to choose three personal memories that relate to the themes of family, dreams, or expectations. This step encourages self-reflection and deeper literary connections.
Encourage students to represent each memory visually and in writing
Have students create a drawing or collage for each memory and write a brief description. This supports multiple learning styles and fosters creativity.
Facilitate peer sharing and discussion
Organize small group or whole-class sharing sessions where students present their scrapbook pages. Emphasize respectful listening and positive feedback to build classroom community.
Connect the activity back to The Glass Menagerie
Lead a discussion about how memory shapes identity and decisions in the play. Help students recognize similarities between their own experiences and the characters’ journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
What are some easy lesson plan ideas for teaching The Glass Menagerie in high school?
Easy lesson plan ideas for The Glass Menagerie include character comparisons, exploring themes like memory and family expectations, and researching Tennessee Williams' life to connect real events to the play. Activities such as group discussions, storyboard creation, and analyzing the role of the gentleman caller help engage students and deepen understanding.
How does Tennessee Williams' life influence The Glass Menagerie?
Tennessee Williams drew heavily from his own family experiences when writing The Glass Menagerie. Many elements, including Tom’s struggles and family dynamics, reflect Williams’ personal challenges and relationships, making the play a powerful example of how an author’s life can inspire fiction.
What are the main themes explored in The Glass Menagerie?
The main themes in The Glass Menagerie include the power of memory, societal expectations, dreams versus reality, and family obligations. The play examines how these forces shape the choices and lives of the characters, especially Tom, Laura, and Amanda.
Why is the 'gentleman caller' significant in The Glass Menagerie?
The gentleman caller represents hope, societal pressure, and the expectations placed on young women in the early 20th century. His visit is central to the plot, revealing Amanda’s anxieties and Laura’s insecurities, and highlighting cultural differences students may not know about today.
How can students compare Tom Wingfield and Tennessee Williams in the classroom?
Students can research Tennessee Williams' biography and compare his life events, family relationships, and personal struggles to Tom Wingfield’s character in the play. This activity helps students understand how authors use their own experiences to shape fictional characters and stories.
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