3. Death of a Salesman

The "Glass Menagerie"and "Death of a Salesman" share similar characteristics. First, both plays deal with some sense of nonreality. The "Glass Menagerie" is narrated as a memoir from Tom's point of view. On the other hand, "Death of a Salesman" only has one character who imagines scenes from the past, which is incorporated into the play. All of the characters besides Willy are always living in the present. Both plays also use theatrical components to heighten dramatic moments in the play. "Glass Menagerie" used music especially in response to Laura and her fragile character, while the playing of Willy's father music was often heard. In regards to theme, both plays share the aspect of making something of oneself and parents wanting better for their children. However, much of this is for the idea of putting up a false appearance. Both families want to make their situations better to the outside world than they really appear to them. This however, is nothing new in today's world.

2. Death of a Salesman

What themes does the play present?
The play mainly focuses on the idea of the American Dream. This is clearly seen through Willy’s attempts to keep his job, or work somewhere else. Also, Willy wants to create a better life for his children as seen through his constant nagging at Biff. Ultimately, his kids also take advantage of this idea known as the American Dream. Biff is off living his life free, and wants to start a farm out west. Happy however, follows in his dad’s footsteps as a salesman, and enjoys his life of pleasures including women. Part of the American dream from Willy’s standpoint is that because he put his children in such good position to succeed, they should pay him back, or take care of him. This is the source of many of Willy’s problems. His kids are not following this, especially Biff. In reality, this play presents the American Dream as nothing but a circle: Parents provide for kids, kids one day provide for parents. However, each of the characters in this play ends up sort of lost and wandering instead of ultimately capturing that dream.

1. Death of a Salesman

Is the play a tragedy?
The main character Willy in "Death of a Salesman" is sometimes considered a tragic hero, which would make the play a tragedy. In considering it a tragedy, Willy’s tragic flaw would be his ability to talk ideas up more than they clearly were. For example, he considered himself big time as a salesman, and he often talked up Biff for football, and did not consider his schooling important. Because of football, he considered other things unimportant because this was going to get Biff anywhere in life. His habit is even inheritable to Biff especially as he goes to speak to Oliver about getting a job. Between Willy and Biff, they were able to believe that Biff was once a big worker there, and Oliver would do anything for him in the future. Because of this habit, Willy’s life had too many expectations that he could not meet. These expectations were sometimes beyond Willy’s actions. The death of Willy was ultimately his own fault. He expected to much because he wanted so much for he, and his kids. He also only added to his stress by living with the guilt of cheating on his wife. Willy’s death is his fault and no one else. He was the reason for his own tragic downfall.

3. The Glass Menagerie

I found it interesting how the word glass was used in more than just describing Laura's menagerie. For example, in the final scene as Jim is trying to get Laura to dance with him, he says "I'm not made out of glass". To me, this statement defines them as foil characters. In the descriptions of the family at the beginning of the play, Laura is described as being fragile like glass. Jim is not fragile. He is not introverted or shy like Laura, and he does not lack confidence. Although, Jim tries to convince Laura that she does not have to be like glass, he is ultimately the one that seems to break her. For the first time of the play, the audience saw a different Laura. But just like Jim breaks the class unicorn, he breaks her by saying he cannot visit again, and that he is engaged.

2. The Glass Menagerie

7. What amount of time is covered in the action? How much of the action is presented as a report rather than dramatized on stage? Is there a meaning behind the selection of events to be dramatized?

Time is a very interesting concept in The Glass Menagerie. Because the play is a memoir, there seems to be an absence of time. However, it is impossible for time itself to be absent. The events played out on the stage, as shown, relatively occur over a few day period. Because this is Tom's memories though, the actual events most likely did not occur in that time span. Instead, like he addresses at the beginning this play being his point of view, they were most likely memories put together in order to make the plot flow. There were scenes that had to be placed in the play like why he and his mother did not get along, and the invitation of Jim O'Connor. All of these scenes reflect back to the purpose of the play, Laura. If Tom and his mother would have gotten along, there would be less worry of him being like his father, which possibly would have lightened Amanda's view on a gentleman caller for Laura. The disagreements between Tom and his mother bring the father into the play. Without Jim O'Connor Laura would have never had the chance to be taken out of her environment. Thus, the events chosen, though maybe not in the exact time frame, help to make the play flow and create a plot.

1. The Glass Menagerie

6. How do the various physical effects-theatrical components such as sets, lights, costuming, makeup, gestures, stage movement, musical effects of song or dance and so forth--reinforce the meanings and contribute to the emotional affects?

The Glass Menagerie incorporates music and lighting to reinforce the emotional effect. The most frequent occurrence of this theatrical component is the playing of "The Glass Menagerie". This music often occurs when something has happened to Laura, heightening her emotions. For example, the first time the music plays is when Amanda discovers that Laura will have no gentleman callers. It is when this music plays that Laura feels most inferior, as Jim, tells her she behaves.
Another example of theatrical components includes the lighting of the picture of the dad when Tom speaks of the one man to escape a coffin. This lighting on the picture brings in a character that is not truly present to the scene. However, for the father to not be present, he has a large effect on the characters in the play. According to Amanda, Tom is reflective of his father, and Laura needs a good man who does not end up like their father.