The Glass Menagerie--Question Two

"The Glass Menagerie" can be considered a tragedy. From the very beginning of the play when the characters are being described, the reader realizes the sad situation of the Wingfield family. As the play begins, the depressing situation is expanded upon in the description of the setting. We learn that the "audience is faced with the dark, grim rear wall of the Wngfield tenement" and on either side are "dark, narrow alleys" (scene one, pg 1235). The thorough description of the setting allows for the reader to perfectly imagine the dreary world in which the Wingfields live. As the play continues, we learn of the even more unhappiness because Mr. Wingfield abandoned the family long ago (pg 1237), Laura is crippled and lives in a make believe world with her glass figurines (pg 1240-1244), and Tom hates his job(pg 1247). The family is barely clinging to the real world; Amanda already lives in the past and cannot be bothered with the real problems of the present. The family draws the audience into their disappointment in life, causing the play to be classified as a tragedy.