The Glass Menagerie question

The Glass Menagerie

The passage I have chosen is found on page 96-97, it is the final piece of dialogue in the play and is spoken by Tom. The passage opens "I didn't go the moon I went much further". the monologue is crafted ambiguously and doesn't implicitly state after Tom found the adventure he so desperately desired. This passage sums up to the audience the power of memory which is so prominent in the play but also the fine line between responsibility and his need to live his own life. It is clear in Toms speech that he can't shake the memory of Laura who he chose to leave behind "Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intend to be"- it has become clear that he has not been able to shake the guilt from the decision he made. showing memory is a powerful and dangerous tool which Tom utilised but it burdened for it. before toms speech, a storm is beginning to grow "the moon breaks through the storm clouds" and at the end of the speech, tom remarks "the world is lit by lightning! Blow out your candles, Laura - and so goodbye". the contrast of lightning and candlelight stands to show the difference between a strong and dangerous force against a much more fragile element. the candlelight could be a symbol for lauras hopes and thought which stand weak against the overpowering world which her own brother has left her for. this epitomises the fact Laura stand very little chance in a world where she can't accept reality

Death of a Salesman

the passage I have chosen from this play is on page 63 -64 and is another monologue by the protagonist. In conversation with Howard, Willy tells him "my father lived many years in Alaska. He was an adventurous man" a theme of place is created through the play the 3 main places used are "Alaska" the "African jungle" and the "Ameican west". the 3 places symbolise escape, freedom, and hope, Alaska also represents willy's association of these places with his father and brother two self-made men who achieved create success out in the wild something willy who is confined to the landscape of his home so strongly desires. The passage's also important as it mentions willy want for importance and recognition "do you know? when he died - and by the way, he died the death of a salesman... when he died hundreds of salesmen and buyer were at his funeral" willy idolizes Dave Singlemans' death as he was widely known and widely mourned which is evidence of his success. To willy, a grand funeral is a great achievement and he is ultimately concerned with what people see of him rather than what he really achieves himself. just like the glass menagerie shows how willy cant lives in a world where he can't accept his own reality just like Laura.