Name __________________________
The Glass Menagerie
Scene 3
1. Name two allusions in scene three.
English 10
2. Tom says, “An evening at home rarely passed without some allusion to this image,
this specter, this hope…” How does Tom feel about this plan of his mother’s?
3. Scene three consists largely of a quarrel between Tom and Amanda. Why is Laura
physically present even though she hardly speaks?
4. What is the quarrel about?
5. How does Tom respond when Amanda refers to their apartment as “my house”?
6. How does Tom respond to Amanda when she says that he is jeopardizing his job and
their security?
7. What is Tom’s escape? What do you think he’s escaping from?
8. What would he rather be doing with his time? How would his plans for the future
harm Laura?
Scene 4
1. Where has Tom really been all night?
2. According to Tom, what was “the wonderfullest trick of all” performed by Malvolio
the Magician? Why do you think this is significant (and symbolic) to Tom?
3. What happens on the fire escape when Amanda sends Laura for some butter? Relate
this to the symbolism of the fire escape.
4. Tom argues that “man is by instinct a lover, a hunter, a fighter.” What does he mean?
5. What is in the letter that Amanda tells Tom she saw? How do you think this makes
her feel?
6. What similarity does Amanda see between Tom and her husband?
7. Under what circumstance does Amanda say Tom can free himself from the
responsibility of supporting his family?