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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper discusses Eric Levy's essay on Tennessee Williams's classic play "The Glass Menagerie." Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVLevWms.rtf
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of self-consciousness. This paper evaluates Levys arguments and whether they are still relevant today, particularly with regard to the impact of gender on the characters actions. Discussion Levy writes
that the characters cannot truly relate to one another: "Each character is hampered in relating to others by the need to inhabit a private world where the fundamental concern is
with self-image" (Levy). He argues that Amanda and Jim "use others as mirrors to reflect the self-image with which they themselves wish to identify," but that Tom and Laura fear
closer relationships, afraid that they will be "reduced to mere reflections" (Levy). With regard to the way Levy looks at gender issues, there is his observation that when Amanda
tells Laura shell never look prettier than at the moment, she is in effect building herself up by tearing Laura down (Levy). "The literal mirror in which Laura beholds her
own image ultimately symbolizes her mothers judgment of her. Yet the fundamental purpose of that judgment is to provide, by contrast, a flattering self-image for Amanda" (Levy). In other words,
Amanda and Laura are in "competition" with each other. But Levy may be putting too much emphasis on this, since it is an extremely common interaction between mothers and daughters.
Levy believes that Laura is solely focused on her vulnerability, which is symbolized by the fragility of the glass (Levy). He writes that "the purpose of Lauras withdrawal [from society]
is to heighten her fragility; for, through belief in the damaging effect of exposure, she exchanges a negative self-image for one more flattering" (Levy). But this doesnt increase her confidence,
but her insecurity: "She is safe from exposure to shame only if she identifies with her inability to endure it" (Levy). In other words, she cannot handle anything that upsets
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