Out with the Old, in with the New

(The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams)



The Theatrical elements of this play impact an important theme of this play: the rejection and differences of the two generations. While the diction and spoken word display the separating generations, the actions, costume, and stage effects paint this theme perfectly. This occurs with every violent fight between Tom and Amanda, such as when she is throwing and criticizing his books and works. The music that play throughout the work marks important times of change and emotion, such as when Amanda and Laura grow more separated in different opinions of men and their future. This difference of opinion of men is further displayed in the costuming of Laura and Amanda during the dinner party: Amanda holds onto traditional Southern values while Laura acts as her shy yet honest self. The unicorn stage piece represents Laura's unique personality, and as it breaks, she finds herself, a separate woman from her mother. She is free from her mother's nagging and worries. The lighting of the play offer lasting impacts of this theme as Tom leaves his mother and the older generation in the dark.