Allusions help readers to understand background without the author going into detailed
explications. They let the reader use their prior knowledge to help them better
understand the playwright’s or author’s meaning.
In the play “The Glass Menagerie” Tennessee Williams uses allusions to help the reader
to understand setting, the characters, and the conflict in the play. To help you better
understand the allusions in this play take the following Internet Scavenger Hunt. Search
each site carefully to find the answer to the questions. Record your answers in complete
sentences on a separate sheet of paper.
GUERNICA
While this is the name of a famous painting by Picasso in the play it is used to help us
understand the social climate behind the setting of the play. Read about Guernica and
describe in two to three sentences what was happening in Spain at this time.
METROPOLITAN OPERA Amanda tells Tom he has “temperament like a Metropolitan
star!” Based on what you read about the Metropolitan Opera predict how Amanda sees
Tom’s behavior.
MIDAS TOUCH
If someone has the Midas touch what could be said about everything they touch.
WALL STREET
Read paragraphs five, six and seven. Use this information to infer the lifestyle a
successful person who worked on Wall Street lead before 1929.
D. A. R.
When Amanda talks about being part of the DAR what does this tell us about her
ancestor’s background.
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Books are sometimes banned for the subjects they discuss. Read about Lady Chatterley’s
Lover and explain why it was considered a risqué book in the 1930’s.
HOGAN GANG
What modern day organization could you compare the Hogan Gang to?
http://imdb.com/name/nm0001256/
What did Greta Garbo do that made her so famous?
MILK FUND
During the time that the “Glass Menagerie” takes place the Milk Fund raised money by
passing the hat at public events. How does the Milk Fund raise money today?
SPARTA
If someone is said to have a Spartan endurance what could you say about the way they
act?
JOLLY ROGER
What does the Jolly Roger represent when flown on a ship?
MERCHANT MARINE
Describe the job of a Merchant Marine.
NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN
Where did Chamberlain govern? What is his position in the government?
UNICORNS
Describe a Unicorn in detail. What makes him different from other animals?
COTILLION
As a young lady Amanda attended Cotillion. Look at this website and list some of the
things Amanda may have done or learned at Cotillion.
CAKEWALK
This is one of the things Amanda did when she attended Cotillion. Describe in detail
what a Cakewalk is.
DIZZY DEAN
In the 1930’s you would have found Dizzy Dean on the sports pages of the Saint Louis
newspaper. What did he do that made him a standout on the sports page?
CLARK GABLE
Who was Clark Gable?
THE ANNUNCIATION
What happened during the Annunciation?
WRIGLEY BUILDING/FAMILY
What does the produce does the Wrigley family sell that helped them finance the cost of
their building?