UnderstandingThe Memory Play

in The Glass Menagerie

University High School of Science and Engineering

Ms. Cabral/Honors English

Cabrl001@hartfordschools.org www.uhsse.org

Ms. Werner werner@hartford.edu

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.