The Glass Menagerie (Bloom's Guides)

Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945 for his "memory" play, "The Glass Menagerie"; it was his first success. His protagonist, Tom Wingfield, recalls events at his troubled home in St. Louis, where his suffocating mother, Amanda Wingfield, badgers him to locate a "gentleman caller" for his sister, Laura, a shy, lame girl who occupies herself with music and a collection of glass animals. Readers approaching this semi-autobiographical Southern Gothic drama will appreciate the quick-reference study helps offered here, such as the biographical sketch and character list. Advanced students will value the selective critical extracts and annotated bibliography.