Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Haislip's Per. 5 and 6 Glass Menagerie Class Discussion
*Remember--this is a discussion. Do not merely post your ideas. Respond to one another's points, ask questions, refer to specific passages. Consider focusing on theme, symbolism, the unrealistic aspects of the play, the characters and their escapes, and the ending. Also, please write your name and period after each post.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I don't quite understand why Amanda would be so oppressive on Tom and Amanda's lives. (i.e. lecturing Tom about mastication) Any reasoning about this?
ReplyDelete- Matthew Ebreo P.6
Amanda wants to control everything her children do because she had no control over her husband leaving them all behind. No matter how ridiculous Amanda may seem about what she lectures, it is her way of controlling the situation.
Delete-Amanda Mosure P.5
I also have a question regarding how the hobbies of the main characters express their inner personality. How Tom going to the movies almost everyday and Laura listening to old records show how dysfunctional the family has become since their father left.
ReplyDelete- Matthew Ebreo P.5 (Not P.6)
Well maybe the reason Tom goes to movies all the time because he is envious of his father leaving and having "adventures" on his own. Tom is unhappy having to take care of his mother and sister. He loves them of course but cannot be free unless he is relieved of them. Tom wants adventures of his own but he knows if he goes to get them, he will have to leave his mother and sister behind.
DeleteLaura's hobby of playing the Victrola with the old records her father left behind, shows that she does not want to forget her father and tunes out the world when playing it.
Tom and Laura needed their father so they would not be so sheltered. Tom needed a role model to see what a man should be! Laura needed to be loved by her father so she is not so shy.
-Amanda Mosure P.5
In addition to what the socratic seminars talked on behalf on the play's theme of the story, I believe the theme is that people sometimes can not accept reality as easily as others. This is shown most drastically on Laura, as she lives in a fantasy world (her glass menagerie). The symbolism of glass being fragile and delicate matches Laura's personality.
ReplyDelete- Matthew Ebreo P.5
I believe at the end of the play, Tom blows out Laura's candles to signify his freedom from her grip. No longer will Tom have to carry the burdon of being weighed down by his sister and oppressive-like attitude of his mother. He could carry on a new beginning, share memories with strangers, the world is his to conquer.
ReplyDelete- Matthew Ebreo P.5
Since the whole play is comprised of Tom's memory, how does it differ from one that would be shown from Laura or Amanda's point of view? What specific scenes would be told differently and interpreted as?
ReplyDelete- Matthew Ebreo P.5
Replying to Matthew's comment, the play would be very different if it were in either Amanda or Laura's points of views. For example if the play was written in Amanda's point of view then it may have a more stronger feeling of concern for her children's future. Also Amanda believes she knows what is best for her children and she may feel that her children were being impertinent for not wanting to do things her way. If scene 3 was rewritten from Amanda Wingfield's point of view then the audience may have seen Amanda feels very hurt and scared that her son Tom is always out to the "movies" which she believes really means the bar. She is scared Tom will end up a drunkard just like his father.
ReplyDeleteAs for Laura's point of view everything would be more frightening and big! Laura feels pushed by her mother Amanda to do things she does not feel is worth it. In Scene 2 Amanda comes home from a surprise visit to Laura's Business class at the near by college. Amanda learns Laura had stopped going to the class after a few days of attendance. Laura felt if she had told her mother the truth Amanda would have been very disappointed. The very test made Laura sick to her stomach! The world scares Laura, she does not know how to deal with it. She over exaggerates small things others hardly notices and makes them very big! In scene 6 Jim, the gentlemen caller, tells Laura when they were in Chorus together he never noticed her limp, which she described as a clumping and it sounded like thunder.
-Amanda Mosure P.5
In the beginning of Scene 6 how does Jim hint at the fact he cannot be Laura's gentlemen caller?
ReplyDeleteAfter Jim broke Laura's glass Unicorn, why did Laura react as if it did not bother her when in Scene 3 Tom broke her glass menagerie and she cried out?
What do you think was the change in Laura?
-Amanda Mosure P.5
Hi guys!!! Amanda, in response to your questions, I don't think that Jim hinted at all to Laura that he didn't want to be Laura's gentlemen caller. Instead, I believe that his actions towards her actually did the complete opposite. I think he hinted that he may like her. For example, when he kissed her and when he asked her to dance. Also, he wanted to know a lot more about her personal life.
ReplyDeleteAfter Jim broke Laura's glass unicorn, I think it symbolized her freedom from her shyness and insecurities. That as the unicorn's horn fell off, Laura became "normal" and more like the horses. She was finally set free that now she doesn't have to hide behind her glass figures anymore. But in contrast, Laura cried out in scene 3 when Tom broke her glass menagerie because she sort of depended on them and kept them very close to her as an escape. But now that she can finally look past her insecurities (thanks to Jim), she doesn't really mind that her glass menagerie broke.
-Kaitlyn Marines P. 6
I also have a question, why do they keep their fathers picture hung on their wall? I mean it's a constant reminder of him and the all the pain that he has caused, so why not take it down?
ReplyDelete-Kaitlyn Marines P.5 (whoops, i meant period 5 for my last post!!!)
I think it is because Amanda has a little bit of admiration for him, despite his leaving. She hints at this at the end of scene 2.
DeleteJanpaul Alamani p6
I agree with Kaitlyn, and to further justify it, Jim could not see the horn at first, just like how he could not see Laura's limp.
ReplyDeleteTo Kaitlyn's question I think the father's picture shows hope for the family that he will come back or maybe they can't forget about him and can't move on
ReplyDelete-Cameren Johnson P.6
Finally people to talk to! :D True, but why keep his picture if its a constant reminder of his abandonment. I was also wondering, why did Jim kiss Laura if he knew very well that he was engaged to Betty? Is it just due to the spur of the moment?
ReplyDeleteHi Kaitlyn, I think that the father's picture is there on the wall to signify how Amanda lives and lingers in the past. It is there to justify how Amanda tends to be delusional. And as for Jim kissing Laura, I think he was just carried away. He was somewhat proud that his "assessment" of Laura's inferiority complex was right. I think the kiss was based on Jim being self-centered. To help solve Laura's problem, he thought that somone (he) needed to kiss her (to make her feel special). Also, the kiss is symbolic because it marks Laura as just another ordinary girl.
Delete-Andrea Laserna Per. 5
I also think because it shows how special Laura is that he is so swept away by her. I think Jim does have a strong attraction to Laura because he said that she's similar to his fiance. Jim probably felt that Laura is so much more than what she thinks herself to be, and the kiss would be his physical way of showing her that.
DeleteI have a question about the sreen images that flash throughout the play. How do these images contribute to the unrealistic atmosphere of the play?
ReplyDelete-Andrea Laserna Per. 5
I think it contributes the unrealistic atmosphere of the play by supporting the concept that Tom is like a magician throughout the play. "But I am the opposite of a stage magician, he gives you illusion with the appearance of truth, I give you the truth with the clever disguise of illusion". Tom has complete control throughout the play, motioning for spotlight on certain people or events, or projecting screen images of symbols from his memory he wants highlighted. You can't project an image of Blue Roses if you are telling your story in reality. It is by using illusion and fantasy Tom enhances the memory, visual aides for the viewer.
Delete-Cameron Laufer Per. 5
I also think it contributes to the unrealistic atmosphere because the screen set the mood of the play, just like the music, which isn't something you can do in real life. And what like Cameron said, Tom is creating an illusion. Because doesn't the music too play to create the mood?
DeleteThank you for clarifying how the screen images contribute to the unrealistic atmosphere. And Yes, the music does play a signficant role because memory is often associated with sound. The constant bring-up of music throughout the play makes it appear dreamy and almost imaginary. Because the music mostly corresponds with Laura's moods and challenges, it appears as if Laura does live in her own "fantasy" world.
DeleteAlso through the music, we could infer more about how Tom views his mother and his sister. Since he is the one narrating, the music would be subjective (favoring Tom's opinion of the other characters and their situations).
-Andrea Laserna Per. 5
I have two questions about the parody For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls. Do you believe that the usage of slapstick comedy is used in the parody for comedic enhancement, or to correct some of the modern criticisms/frustrations we have with the characters in the play?(e.g. Laurence's psychological illnesses, the mother's complete lack of compassion for Laurence).
ReplyDeleteAlso, why do you think the Tom and Amanda's names/genders remain unchanged? Is it a homage to the two main characters or was it a short sight?
-Cameron Laufer Per. 5
Cameron, in the parody I think the use of such humor and ridicule does not necessarily aim to correct modern critisms, but maybe simply just to capture attention. The author just wants to make his frustation towards Laura's sensitivity open to the public for reflection.He exaggerates Laura's child-like quality,low self-esteem, and her ignorance to open people's eyes to the consequences of not acting and not taking chances. For example, he replaces Laura's glass menagerie with Lawrence's glass swizzlle sticks. The author wants to point out Laura's lack of determination to find something more meaningful in life and how "foolish" it is to him.
DeleteIn response to your second question, I think Amanda and Tom's names remain the same because the main focus of the parody is Laura. In the author's note, Durang admits his irritation toward Laura and focuses on that frustration. This is also why the parody opens directly with Lawrence's anxiety of meeting Ginny. Tom and Amanda's names are kept because Durang aims to ridicule Laura the most.It could also be because he wants the audience to realize,compare and relalte the characters (in the parody)to the original play.
-Andrea Laserna Per. 5
I think, to answer your second question Cameron, that keeping Tom and Amanda the same would show Laura's most irritating traits. I feel as though it's as if she's showing how the actual characters would be like but if they were more open to being rude. And I agree with Andrea because the focus really is on how annoying Laura was.
Delete-Angelica De Guzman P.5
To answer Kaitlyn's question, I think the picture of the father is still hanging over the mantel because the mother can't let him go. She mentions him often saying things like he had charm and that he cared a lot about his appearance. I have a question: what does it signify that Laura gave Jim the piece of glass menagerie that broke as a souvenir? Does it mean anything at all?
ReplyDelete-Arianna Montano, per 6
Arianna, I think Laura gave Jim the broken glass unicorn as a symbol of letting go. That specific piece of her glass menagerie was her most favored and the oldest one. Giving it to Jim represents her acceptance of her need to face reality. Also, it signifies the change she has went through during the time Jim was there. The unicorn lost its horn just as Laura was marked ordinary by Jim's assessment and the kiss. This change happened all because of Jim. Also, Laura gave the piece to Jim maybe as a sign of appreciation. He helped her open up and so Laura repays him by giving a piece of herself (unicorn symbolizes Laura) to him.
Delete-Andrea Laserna Per. 5
I think the action is supposed to be like giving up a bad habit. By giving it away, she gives away the choice to escape and face what ever is bothering her.
DeleteJanpaul Alamani p6
I think that Laura wants Jim to remember Laura as a good memory although Jim is engaged and is going to marry Betty. Also, it seems like Laura is going to remember Jim as a good memory too. Jim broke the unicorn's horn of Laura's glass menagerie. He helped Laura to come back to reality. So Laura appreciates Jim and gives the broken piece to him.
DeleteClara Kwon P6
Laura giving the souvenir was a representation of her moving on since she gave her favorite one to Jim,and now that she is no longer in her own fantasy (glass menagerie).
DeleteI think the broken souvenir signify how he changed Laura to break out of her shell. Plus she treasured the unicorn because it may have been her only friend or to fill her comfort zone. But now that Jim broke Laura's shy character, she no longer needs the glass menagerie to feel comfortable. But why didn't Amanda chase after Tom? Isn't Tom the only one that can get a gentleman caller and pay the bills for their home.
ReplyDelete-Cameren Johnson P.6
I think it's either because she knows how frustrating the whole situation is and she's just taking her anger out on Tom, while also not realizing that calling him selfish would push him away farther. Or, because she doesn't realize how unreasonable she's being towards Tom and is purely angry at him for what she sees as a complete fiasco (aha AP lit term!) and so she lets him go.
DeleteI thought that Tom just ran away without letting anyone know about where he is going. So Amanda did not actually had a way to chase after Tom. None of the mothers would want their son to run away from them. I think Amanda did not want Tom to disappear, but Tom left to a place where Amanda cannot find him like what his father did. The play says that Tom actually left Saint Louis.
DeleteClara Kwon P6
To answer your question Cameren, I think Amanda didn't run after Tom because she's fed up with all their arguments and can already tell that she has lost him. When it comes down to it, Tom isn't necessarily the only one that is capable of fetching a gentleman caller for Laura. I mean, there are other ways to invite more men over. For instance, Amanda can take initiative and ask around town herself or maybe, just maybe, a gentlemen caller may come on his own will.
DeleteSo now that Laura has finally broken out of her comfort zone, what are your predictions for her? Do you think in the near future she will be able to act like how she did with Jim towards another man? Or do you think she will go back to her old insecure ways?
I think Amanda did not chase after Tom because she was angry at him the moment he left since he brought home Jim who was engaged. But I think she never went after him because she is sick of always fighting with him. Everything she did annoyed/ticked her off like how he went to the movies and how he would smoke. And maybe pride also played a part
DeleteArianna Montano, per. 6
I think that you guys are all right, but i think that Amanda didn't chase after Tom was because he turned to be exactly like his father and thought that it might've been best for him to leave. However, I also think that it was mainly because Amanda was fed up with the fighting and that Tom bringing Jim was to insult her.
Deleteand Kaitlyn, I think that Laura is now capable of handling the real world. Similar to the Unicorn, she was unique and stood out, but now that it's just like the other horses, it shows that the society (the horses) can accept Laura because she's not different.
I think Amanda didn't go after Tom because she knew it was useless. For so long he had been longing to move on with his life and escape all his problems. The main cause of all his problems was his controlling mother.I believe she realized it was no use to reatin him by her side when it was evident he was unhappy.She was also too angry and prideful to chase after him. After he called her a "babbling old witch" she did not want to speak to him, so if those words hurt her enough to give him the silent treatment, his actions affected her even more.
DeleteI have several questions regarding the parody. I was wondering if there was any deeper meaning past just making fun of Laura. If there was any meaning, I'd also like to know if there were any significant parts of the parody that symbolized anything, or was it all just meant as comedic commentary?
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily believe there was any deeper meaning for the parody. Instead, I think it was written to exaggerate each character's flaws in the way they acted or perceived themselves to be in the actual Glass Menagerie play. As for symbolism, I don't think there was any intention other than producing comedy.
DeleteHi Angelica! Yes. I do belive that the parody contains symbolism and it is not just a comedic commentary. For example, Durang, the author, replaces Laura's glass menagerie with the collection of glass cocktail stirrers. Like I said in my previous post, this symbolizes how dull and boring Lawrence's life is. The parody exaggerates Laura's lack of determination and creativity. Creativity-because Lawrence names each stick a werid and obvious name. (eg. Blue, Q-tip, etc)The glass swizzle sticks also represent how delicate Laura/Lawrence is. When one stick, "Thermometer"breaks, Lawrence gets upset and calls Ginny a "nimwit." Getting upset over a broken cocktail stirrer just exemplifies Laura's sensitivity. Durang points out that Laura too sentimental and that it does not look good.
DeleteOverall, I think the parody has a deeper meaning beyond the satire.
-Andrea Laserna Per. 5
Ah you brought up a lot of good points Andrea!! But I have a question, why do you think Durang made Amanda more forceful and blunt in the parody?
DeleteKaitlyn, I am unsure about Amanda's heightened aggressiveness in the parody. But I think Durang gave her a blunt personality to reinforce that although she can be delusional, she is still capable of seeing what's right in front of her and acting upon it. If we compare Amanda's character (in the parody) to Lawrence's, it makes Lawrence seem more pathetic, which is Durang's whole purpose. He wants to ridicule Laura, who doesn't even have the slightest interest of pursuing something greater than her glass menagerie.
DeleteAmanda's character in the parody is more forceful as she is straightforward when she complains, "What have I done, O Lord, to deserve them?" She refers to her children here. I think Durang wants to make Amanda appear as if she has wasted her life caring for her children. She regrets her old life and wants to live her "ambitions" through them but cannot. That's why I confuse her aggressiveness with her frustrations.
Question!In the parody, is Amanda still making religious references? And what do they mean/signify?
Well, since it's a parody it is meant to just make fun of the original play. It exaggerated the personality of the characters, but it did maintain some of the same symbolism from the original play. The swizzle sticks symbolize the same thing the glass menagerie symbolized for Laura. It symbolized an escape for Lawrence and also (like Andrea said) how sensitive he is. And it also had the subject of a bad mother/son relationship but exaggerated.
DeleteArianna Montano, per 6
Amanda is more forceful and straightforward in order to portray Lawrence's weak personality and issues even more, which is the opposite in the original where she is loving and supportive for Laura. The parody seems to take Amanda's thoughts towards Laura's shyness and make them into direct quotes towards Lawrence.
DeleteDALE B. P.6
I have two questions about the parody. What is the significance of the title? How does it relate to the plot or the original play? & Does the parody have an overall theme?
ReplyDelete-JessicaFong P.5
Southern Belle means a beautiful, charming girl of the South, which is supposed to relate to Ginny. But this is ironic because Ginny is described by Lawrence as a "dyke" and an "unfeminine" worker at a warehouse. For theme, while Tom's soliloquy in the end talks about reality ("world is lit by lightning...") Lawrence is still the same pathetic man since he still wishes for "More swizzle sticks". Laura on the other hand shifts her character, where she moves on and away from the glass menagerie.
DeleteI think the word "tolls" is also a play on words for the word "belle". Since "tolls" is defined as something that would have a ringing sound, that would be made from an actual bell. The meaning in the title just means whoever the "southern belle" is attending to. That relates to the original play because it's about Jim calling on Laura, whereas in the parody Ginny calls on Lawrence. I don't think there is a theme, it's just supposed to be for humor.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Kaitlyn's question, I think that Laura will be able to act like how she did with Jim toward another man. Jim helped Laura to realize that she should come out to the real world. Also, Jim helped Laura to realize that Laura is also an unique person. If we see how Laura acts toward Jim, we can see that Laura can also fall in love with a man. And I guess that Amanda still would find ways to bring in gentlemen callers for Laura.
ReplyDeleteClara Kwon P6
But what are the chances that another gentlemen caller will have the same patience that Jim had for Laura?
DeleteI'm sure that there are other gentlemen callers that have the same patience that Jim had. Also, I think that Laura did come out from her own little world in the future due to Jim's help. And if Laura actually did come out to the real world, I believe that she has no problem getting married to another man.
DeleteClara Kwon P6
I think the purpose of the play was to demonstrate Laura's change at the end. I'm sure she actually broke out of her shell and will have no trouble in finding a man that will truly love her. Maybe she will find true love at her own time not being pressured by her mother. If Amanda sees Laura has the ability to move on with her life alone, Laura might have more confidence in herself and find a man that loves her for who she is.
Delete