How Do You Read “The Glass Menagerie”?
“The Glass Menagerie” was playwright Tennessee William’s first work, and one of his best known. Widely acknowledged as a classic of the American stage, generations of high school and college students have explored the play in literature and drama courses. On the surface a play about family relationships and unrealized hopes,”The Glass Menagerie” also contains deeper currents on the nature of love, the value of dreams and the ways that memories shape our lives. Try these steps to enrich your reading experience and help you understand William’s intentions in “The Glass Menagerie.” Understand the playwright. Tennessee Williams based much of “The Glass Menagerie” on people in his own life. A review of his biography, especially his family relationships, can enhance appreciation of the play. The University of Mississippi host a comprehensive website with a biography and links to critical reviews and appreciation of Williams (see Resources). Research the play. On the surface, “The Glass Menag
