This is a very sad play, but I believe it leaves the reader with some hope for the future. It's very easy to read and understand so take the time to read it!! I think you'll like it.

In this book the reader is introduced to one of Life's losers Laura and her part time alcoholic brother Tom.Laura is a lazy self centered girl who would rather play her old worn out phonograph records and sit on her lazy posterior than get a job and contribute to the family's weekly income. Laura's mother enrols her in secretarial school in the vain hope that maybe one day Laura can actually GET A JOB !!! Laura pretends to go to school but secretly visits the museum instead. Upon discovering her daughter's deception Laura's mother comes to the conclusion that the only "happy ending" for her will be if she can get married so she asks her son Tom, to arrange for a "gentleman caller" to vist. This book is full of the usual dramatic, hysterical outbursts which were the author's signature in many of his works.I give this book 5 stars because for some obscure reason unkown to me this is considered to be one of William's finest works.

This play is one of the many "classics" that english teachers and literary critics seem to love; all of these classics have the defining characteristic that they bring out the worst in human nature and undermine the values of hard work, sacrifice, courage, and love. This play can stand right beside "Death of a Salesman" as a depressing, pessimistic propaganda on how to deal with life's challenges.

This was Tennesee Williams' first major success. It is a haunting, complicated play that is still popular even after all those years since it premiered in Chicago.

It tells the story of a dysfunctional family-the Wingfields. The mother, Amanda, is a woman who dislikes her life and dreams of the past...of what might have been. She has two grown children-Tom and Laura-both who, I think, are in worse condition than she is! Tom is a maniac who doesn't understand his mother and so emotionally abuses her. He is very selfish and emotionally disturbed (this is all pretty much an opinion)because of his distaste for his job and his mother. He goes to the movies to find comfort in his dreadful life, and yet dislikes the movies because he feels he can't do anything...that the fictional characters have all the fun.

His sister Laura is a cripple and feels she is incapable of doing anything-partly because of her emotions about her leg and also because of her mother's dreams of finding Laura plenty of gentlemen callers like Amanda once had. While Amanda vents her emotions on her past and Tom on his movies, Laura vents her emotions on a collection of glass animals, hence the title.

The real climax comes when Tom invites a colleague of his to come to supper. Amanda loves this as her daughter finally has a "gentleman caller." Laura worries for two reasons: she is dreadfully shy and the caller happens to be her high school crush.

While reading this play, I never said "oh my gosh, this play is so great" but I didn't hate it either. Some of the parts bored me and I wasn't too fond of Tom Wingfield. If only for the character of Amanda and to read a classic play, I would suggest people to read it, but then discuss the characters with someone. I find them somewhat disturbing.

The Glass Menagerie written by Tennesse Williams is a very interesting play. Some may feel that it is a bit confusing. Certain events may occure where one might say "Well what does that have to do with anything?". There really isn't much suspense or action or anything, but there is a moral in the end. You learn to give yourself credit and love yourself no matter what shape or form.
I feel the play was okay. I didn't hate it or love it. Still, there is something about it that just seems different. Maybe i can apprieciate it more as i get older. I like it because of the characters and the romance shown. It is what helps you to continue turning the pages. I didn't however, like how things ended. This play builds you up only to let you down. It was such a disappointment. Still, htat is my own opinion.
This play would be great if the ending canged. Something happy and forfilling. There Should also be more of a plot. There should be more details and events here and there. Besides all that, enjoyed reading it. it was different from any other play i have ever read and i'm sure i would enjoy to see it performed on stage.
The Glass Menagerie uses symbolism that kind of gives it a "classy" side to it. It is very elegant, sweet and romantic. I recomend It to anyone who does'nt mind a little romance and an unexpected ending once in a while.