Blog, Term II, weeks 1+2

The work:
We started the Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, and studied quote handouts, poems, and reader responses that focused on it (GM). We read and dissected hte play, including looking at the film version starring John Malkovic. We wrote an in class essay about how they are all equally pathetic characters (NR). Each [character in the Glass Menagerie] is fragile in disposition whether it be their emotional intake, the fragility of a heart, the feeling of brokenness in a career...(VC). We compared e.e. cummings' poem "somewhere i have never travelled gladly beyond" to Tom's goodbye speech in the Glass Menagerie (SC).

The workers:
Mike relates the parent child relationship in the GM to that of the Grapes of Wrath (NR). Erik knew the word "jonquils" in the story meant "flowers" and prevailed after McG. called his bluff (PD). Steve said that anger is provoked in both Death of a Salesman and the Glass Menagerie (VC). Andrew believed that Tom in the film seemed to be drunk but there was no textual evidence for that (RH). Michael compared "traveled" in the first line of the cummings poem to the first line in Tom's concluding speech (RH). Silverio brought up the physical appeal of Laura and how she feels about herself (DG). Eric said that Amanda was trying to live her life through her daughter (DG). Travis spoke on Amanda's controlling attitude (GM). Keith identified how Tom's character is rebellious throughout the play (DK).

Words to live by:
"The actual world is less intense than the world of this invention and consequently his life." ~Tennessee Williams

"Time is the longest distance between two places." ~Tom (in GM)

"Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are." ~Laura

"He is the long-delayed but always expected someone that we live for." ~Tom

"We live in a mysterious world, don't we." ~Tom

Guest blogger: Conor M., Weeks 15 and 16

In the past two weeks we have started to take a look into the life of Willy Loman in the play Death of a Salesman. Using our experience from reading other dramas like Henry IV we were able to pick apart the meaning of DOS. We looked at the classic descent of a hero from heaven to hell through the story. The class was allowed to focus on a specific scene between Willy and Biff and perform it to their own interpretation. James showed the class the necessity, in acting to rehearse, not only your lines but the props you are using! We then took a look at how professional actors acted out the same scene. We finished off the week by reviewing for midterms.

The workers:
At the beginning of the play, Erik shared with the class his belief that drama can provide more of an emotional connection than fiction. Steve told the class his view of Biff and Willy being sexist by calling a woman a "pig." When acting out his scene, David showed his forensics experience with acting. Michael gave us all a surprise with the volume of his recitation. Steve's group showed the class how necessary it is to also know your partner's lines in case they skip one. Brendan commented on the constant stress and anger in Willy's life. Pat noticed the entrances of Ben into a scene are easier to notice. Ryan also picked up on the red walls of the restaurant which also happens to be Willy's "hell."

Words to live by:
"Life is a casting off." ~Linda
"Nobody's worth nothing dead." ~Charley
"Bot sometimes, Willy, it's better for a man just to walk away." ~Bernard
"Why must everybody conquer the world?" ~Linda

The Glass Menagerie--some topics

Here is some brainstorming I've been doing in preparation for tomorrow's in-class essay. I've narrowed down the essay I'll ask you to write to three possibilities:

• All of the characters in The Glass Menagerie (TGM) are equally portrayed as pathetic and living a life of illusion separate from reality. Explain each of their illusions and argue which of them, if any, are left at the end of the play still living in their illusions.
• Critic Benjamin Nelson said, "When Tom leaves he escapes from a trap, a situation which is plainly unendurable, but there is nothing heroic or even positive and challenging in his departure...His departure is little more than a snap of a twig in the wind." Explain what Nelson means about Tom.
  
• According to Amanda, Mr. Wingfield, her husband, was a true gentleman. What does this mean? How does the father play into the story as a significant character? And how does the notion of a "good man" get distorted by Williams through the presentation of Wingfield in this play?