The Glass Menagerie
Scene 4
Page 37: Tom’s trap
Read Tom’s story about Malvolio the Magician and
his coffin and answer the following questions in
complete sentences.
1.When Tom connects himself to the magician, what
is the ‘coffin’ he feels he is nailed into? Find one
quotation from the text to support your answer.
2.What would it mean for Tom to “remove one nail”
from his situation? (37). Give two or three possible
examples.
3.Tom knows he can’t escape without “remov[ing]
one nail.” Why does he feel that he can’t do that?
Page 29: Laura’s fall
After reading about Laura’s fall, answer the
following questions in complete sentences.
1. Explain the context of Laura’s fall.
2. Look back to your scene 1 notes and write down the
significance of the fire escape as the family’s only door.
3. Considering your answers to 1 and 2, explain what
Laura’s fall may symbolize. Be sure to explain using
specifics from the book. Your response should discuss the
fall, the fire escape, and the symbolic meanings.
Page 35: Tom’s Responsibilities
Read Amanda’s instructions to Tom and answer the
following questions.
1. What is the extent of Tom’s obligation to Laura?
When is he allowed to be “free” of her, according to
his mother?
2. Do you think Tom is selfish? Why or why not?
3. What does Amanda find that upsets her? Look back
at the description of Tom for scene 1; what do these
events foreshadow? Use quotations from the text to
support your answer.
The Glass Menagerie
Scene 5
Tom and his father
Throughout the play, Tom struggles with his obligations vs. his
dreams; he is constantly compared to his father, by himself and
others. Answer the following relevant questions.
1.Throughout scenes 1-5, find 2 quotations of
connections made between Tom and his father. They
can be made by himself, Amanda, or your own
inference. Be sure to cite correctly.
2.In your own words, discuss whether or not Tom is
like his father using specifics from the text.
3. Explain whether or not Amanda is driving him to be
more or less like his father, using specifics.
Pages 42-7: Amanda & Reality
Read the dialogue between Amanda and Tom
and answer the following question in complete
sentences.
Find examples from the text of three assumptions
or questions Amanda has about James. For each
quotation, explain how her assumption
demonstrates her disconnect from reality.
The Glass Menagerie
Scene 6
Page 50: Jim O’Connor
After reading Tom’s description of Jim,
answer the following questions in complete
sentences.
1. Think about a stereotypical high school hero.
Without using names or specifics to NHS, give 4-5
traits one would expect from such a figure.
2. After reading Tom’s description of Jim, which of
your traits does Jim fit into?
3. Why does Tom think Jim likes him? Does this
coincide with your responses from #1-2?
Page 53: Amanda’s outfit
Answer the following questions in complete sentences,
focusing on the stage directions in scene 6.
1. What does Amanda’s outfit demonstrate about
her character?
2. Find 5 quotations (words) from the stage
directions that further support your answer to
#1.
3. Look back at Williams’ character descriptions on
page xviii. Use the information from #1-2 to
support and explain a specific quotation from
the description of Amanda.
Pages 60-1: Tom’s plans
After reading Tom’s description of his future
plans, answer the following questions in
complete sentences.
1. What changes is Tom planning to make? Use
quotations from the text to support your
answer.
2. Why do you think he has suddenly decided to
make these changes? Be specific.