The theme of memory in the novel “Glass of Menagerie” by “Tennessee Williams”

The theme of memory in the novel “Glass of Menagerie” by “Tennessee Williams”.

The theme of memory in the novel “Glass of Menagerie” by “Tennessee Williams”

      Tennessee William’s play; the Glass Menagerie, deals with a family wait for a gentleman called for their daughter. While they are waiting for the gentlemen caller, they are talking about their memories. Although there are many themes in this play, one theme that dominates in the play is the theme of memories. Each character in this play talks about his memory. In this paper, I will trace three scenes that highlight the theme of memories.

     To start with, the Glass Menagerie is a memory play, and Tom makes it clear from the beginning that we are seeing that Tom narrates his memories about the time of the outbreak of the world war 2 “to begin with, I turn back time I reverse it to that quaint period, the thirties, when the huge middle class of America…”. “In the Spain, there was a revolution; here there was only shouting and confusion.”  

    Secondly, Amanda demonstrates his memories. She speaks of her girlhood and her futile attempts to relive it. She dreams about her past. She loves to tell her memories. For that Laura said to her brother “she loves to tell it”. Amanda always talks about her past and what happened. “One Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain, your mother received seventeen gentlemen caller”.

   Thirdly, even Jim the gentleman caller is trapped in the cycle of memories. Jim and Laura stayed alone, they start talking about the days of glory in high school. When he was a famous singer he used to call Laura Blue Rose. Jim says “Blue Roses!  My gosh; yes Blue Roses: that’s what I had on my tongue when you opened the door! Is not it funny”?

   To sum up; the reader will see that the Glass Menagerie is a memory play. The theme of memory shows the reader that each character has his memories.