Essay 1: Protagonist and antagonist
Amanda Wingfield is clearly the protagonist in the film. What makes her the protagonist are the struggles that she endures to provide for the family. The fact that she longs for the days when she was young and had many suitors is another indication that she is the protagonist. As the film begins, Amanda is with her children, Tom and Laura at the dinner table (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). She shares with her children that she had 17 suitors all of whom sought to marry her. She then proceeds to describe a young man that she could have married. She then tells her children that she ended up marrying their father who deserted them. There is clear regret in her voice and her words. She is a woman who had much promise but made the mistake of marrying a man who could not commit to his family (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). Despite the many challenges that she faces, Amanda possesses remarkable strength and optimism. Even when Laura says that “Mother is afraid that I’m gonna be an old maid,” Amanda remains hopeful that she (Laura) will find a suitor. Amanda is the embodiment of hope and undying optimism.
Amanda’s absentee husband is the antagonist in the film. That the struggles that Amanda and her children endure are the direct result of her husband’s failure to perform his role is evidence that he is the antagonist. This family struggles with a number of challenges. Tom works at a warehouse and he finds this job to be frustrating (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). He wishes to be a writer but his writing skills are not impressive. Laura on the other hand is extremely shy and encounters trouble finding a suitor. She is so shy that she is unable to join the others in entertaining Jim, a gentleman whom Amanda hopes will be interested in Laura (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). Amanda also struggles to guide Tom and Laura. Tom appears to live a double life where he leaves the house every night and this causes Amanda to worry. All these problems can be attributed to the absence of Amanda’s husband. If he were present, he would support Amanda in providing the children. Perhaps he could even help build Laura’s confidence.
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The abandonment of parental obligations is the main conflict that is resolved through Amanda and her absentee husband. Amanda tries very hard to keep the family together. She goes as far as arranging for Jim to visit and become interested in Laura (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). On the other hand, her husband who does not appear anywhere in the film but is only referred to on numerous occasions, remains uninvolved in their lives. It is true that the film ends with Laura unmarried and Tom having left the family. The ending of the film does not necessarily resolve the conflict between Amanda and her husband. However, it makes clear who the source of all of the family’s struggles is and identifies Amanda as the one who is making sacrifices to address these struggles.
Essay 2: Technical elements
The entire play is set in Amanda’s house. It is here that she shares with her children about the promise of her youth (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). It is also here that the anxiety and shyness that Laura grapples with is revealed. Amanda’s house also serves as the setting of her attempt to persuade Jim to develop some interest in Laura. The choice of this setting appears deliberate. It allows the audience to understand the relationship between parenting, family and an individual’s fate. Amanda’s house represents family and parenting. It is in this house that Laura struggles to find employment and Tom’s challenges with his job and his desire to become a writer are revealed. The film makes it clear that parenting and family plays an important role in defining the fate of an individual. Absent parents make it difficult for their girls to find husbands and for their sons to find fulfilment with their jobs and life in general. The setting also presents the film with interesting elements that a stage would be unable to offer. For example, a stage is rather general and lacks the homely feel that Amanda’s house offers. As opposed to a stage which would make it difficult for the audience to observe the interplay between family and an individual’s fate, the setting of the film in Amanda’s house highlights how parenting and family shape one’s life.
The costumes that the characters wear also play a role in the family. These costumes provide the different characters with an identity and personality. For example, Amanda wears long plain dresses. These dresses point to her pain and struggles. The dresses also allow the audience to understand that Amanda is a mother. While Laura also wears dresses, they are more revealing. These dresses can be taken as indication of her desire for a suitor. The costumes also shed light on the era in which the film was released.
Essay 3: Idea
When he created the film, Tennessee Williams must have sought to share different ideas with his audiences. However, the one idea that stands out is the pain that families with absentee parents endure. Amanda is a single mother whose husband deserted her and neglected his obligation to the family. As a result of the abandonment, Amanda struggles alone to guide Laura and Tom. Tom’s main struggle is finding fulfilment and purpose. He does not find his job at the warehouse to offer any satisfaction. This pushes him to try writing (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). Tom also appears to be grappling with personal struggles. For example, she leaves the house and stays away the entire night. When his mother asks why he stays out for so many hours, he becomes defensive. He creates a scene and says “You’re right mother, I’m going to opium dens…Dens of vice and criminal’s hangouts” (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). There are numerous other instances where Tom demonstrates his anger and frustration. For instance, as they are having dinner, he complains that his mother makes it difficult for him to eat with her lectures about how to eat properly. He is clearly a disturbed man and the fragile structure of their family could be to blame for this.
Further evidence that absentee parents ruin families can be seen in Laura’s struggles. Laura is shy and lacks confidence. Despite her mother’s encouragement, she does not think that she will ever find a suitor. While she does not blame her father’s absence for her shyness, it is evident that he is responsible for her struggles. Fathers usually shower their daughters with love and provide guidance. They remind them that they are loved and precious. Since Laura has not received such love or guidance, it is little wonder that she is shy and lacks confidence. Amanda also has her own struggles. Her main struggle is her constant worry that Laura will never find a suitor and will “become an old maid.” It is natural for every mother to worry about the future of her children. However, Amanda’s worries are the clear and direct result of her husband’s absence.
Essay 4: Acting styles
Casting plays a vital role in determining the success of a film. The cast that played the different characters in The Glass Menagerie is tremendously gifted. Katharine Hepburn plays Amanda Wingfield. Her remarkable ability to represent sorrow, regret and unconditional love for family is what defines Hepburn. Throughout the film, she expertly reflects the real struggles of women whose husbands have abandoned them and make sacrifices to provide their children with all the comforts of life. Katherine is similar to Sam Waterston in her portrayal of anger and regret. Both are able to make it clear to the audience that they are upset while maintaining their love and respect for family. However, while Katherine retains the motherly charm, there are numerous instances where Waterston snaps in anger. For example, when Amanda confronts Tom about leaving the house at night, Tom calls her “an ugly babbling old witch!” (Susskind & Harvey, 1973). The audience is able to understand that Tom is upset and extremely frustrated thanks to Waterston’s remarkable delivery. There is some tremor in his voice that signals anger and regret.
While Amanda and Tom are able to depict anger and frustration in the film, Joana Miles who plays Laura is able to represent vulnerability and fear. Her facial expressions and body language suggest that she feels vulnerable and fears that she will never find a suitor. For instance, as her mother tells her to ready herself to receive a gentleman who could be a suitor, Joana keeps her eyes on the floor and avoids eye contact. Joana also wears a plain expression that points to Laura’s sense of vulnerability, weakness and hopelessness. She contrasts sharply with Katherine and Tom who are livelier and radiate more energy. Michael Moriarty is yet another actor who appears in the film. He portrays Jim O’Connor, the gentleman that Tom and Amanda hope will develop interest in Laura. While the other three express deep passion, Moriarty remains intriguingly calm and rational. His behavior enables the audience to recognize how starkly different Amanda, Laura and Tom are from outsiders. While they have struggles and express regret, Moriarty maintains a clear mind.
Reference
Susskind, D. (Producer) & Harvey, A. (Director). (1973). The Glass Menagerie. United States:
Norton Simons Inc.
