UnderstandingThe Memory Play
in The Glass Menagerie
University High School of Science and Engineering
Ms. Cabral/Honors English
[email protected] www.uhsse.org
Ms. Werner [email protected]
In the stage directions, Tennessee
Williams writes:
“The scene is memory and is therefore
nonrealistic. Memory takes a lot of poetic
license. It omits some details, others are
exaggerated, according to the emotional
value of the articles it touches, for
memory is seated predominantly in the
heart.”
What is a memory play?
• A memory play is a play that is
set apart from reality
• Memory plays must have a
narrator, someone whose
memories guide the audience
through the events of the play.
The Glass Menagerie
• In The Glass Menagerie, the
events of the play are being
remembered through the lens of
Tom’s experience.
• Thus, each event is colored by
his perspective.
