“Good Country People” Flannery O’Connor. Devoutly religious: raised as a strict Catholic....

““Good Country People”Good Country People”

Flannery O’ConnorFlannery O’Connor

Flannery O’ConnorFlannery O’Connor

Devoutly religious: raised as a Devoutly religious: raised as a strict Catholic.strict Catholic.

Believed the world is consumed Believed the world is consumed with evil, and that this evil is more with evil, and that this evil is more prominent than any good. prominent than any good.

Always uses shock and unexpected Always uses shock and unexpected violence (often emotional) to show violence (often emotional) to show the brutality in the world.the brutality in the world.

““Violence is strangely capable of Violence is strangely capable of returning my characters to reality returning my characters to reality and preparing them to accept their and preparing them to accept their moment of grace.”moment of grace.”

Stories reflect the spiritual Stories reflect the spiritual barrenness of contemporary barrenness of contemporary society, which she referred to as society, which she referred to as society’s “heart condition.”society’s “heart condition.”

Her stories always have a specific Her stories always have a specific moment when a character realizes moment when a character realizes that there is more to life than just that there is more to life than just material things.material things.

Tennessee WilliamsTennessee WilliamsA master of evasionA master of evasion

Tennessee WilliamsTennessee Williams

Born Thomas Lanier Born Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” Williams in “Tennessee” Williams in Columbus, Mississippi.Columbus, Mississippi.

Mother was an aggressive Mother was an aggressive woman obsessed by woman obsessed by fantasies of genteel fantasies of genteel Southern living.Southern living.

Father was a traveling shoe Father was a traveling shoe salesman, both distant and salesman, both distant and abusive.abusive.

Older sister, Rose, was Older sister, Rose, was emotionally disturbed and emotionally disturbed and spent most of her life in spent most of her life in mental institutions.mental institutions.

Younger brother, Dakin, was Younger brother, Dakin, was favored by his father over favored by his father over the older children.the older children.


Tennessee was Tennessee was considered a shy, considered a shy, sickly, confused sickly, confused young man.young man.

Graduated from Graduated from University of Iowa in University of Iowa in 1938.1938.

Spent much of his Spent much of his adult life in New adult life in New York, although he York, although he was a wanderer.was a wanderer.


Writing CareerWriting Career 30 full-length plays30 full-length plays Numerous short playsNumerous short plays Two poetry volumesTwo poetry volumes Five volumes of essays Five volumes of essays

and short storiesand short stories In 1945, “The Glass In 1945, “The Glass

Menagerie” won three Menagerie” won three major drama awards.major drama awards.

Two Pulitzer Prizes Two Pulitzer Prizes (“Streetcar Named (“Streetcar Named Desire,” 1947; “Cat On Desire,” 1947; “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” 1955).A Hot Tin Roof” 1955).


Critical reviewsCritical reviews Considered by many to Considered by many to

have had more influence have had more influence on development of on development of American cinema than any American cinema than any other 20other 20thth century century playwright.playwright.

Has been compared to Has been compared to Flannery O’Connor (“Good Flannery O’Connor (“Good Country People”) and Country People”) and William Faulkner (“A Rose William Faulkner (“A Rose For Emily”), who present For Emily”), who present eccentric Southern eccentric Southern characters.characters.


Themes/IdeasThemes/Ideas Work focuses on Southern Work focuses on Southern

experience.experience. Conflicts between sexuality, Conflicts between sexuality,

society, and Christianity are society, and Christianity are large part of his drama and large part of his drama and his life.his life.

All major plays are “memory All major plays are “memory plays”: a character plays”: a character experiences something experiences something profound that causes an profound that causes an “arrest of time,” a situation in “arrest of time,” a situation in which time literally loops which time literally loops around itself.around itself.

That character must re-live That character must re-live that profound experience that profound experience (caught in the loop) until he or (caught in the loop) until he or she makes sense of it.she makes sense of it.


Overall theme of his plays: Overall theme of his plays: the negative impact that the negative impact that conventional society has conventional society has upon the “sensitive, non-upon the “sensitive, non-conformist individual.”conformist individual.”

Emphasizes the irrational, Emphasizes the irrational, desperate condition of desperate condition of humanity in a universe in humanity in a universe in which cosmic laws do not which cosmic laws do not work.work.

Examines the conflicts Examines the conflicts between the gentility of old between the gentility of old Southern values and the Southern values and the practical Northern values.practical Northern values.

The Glass MenagerieThe Glass Menagerie

SettingSetting Time: 1945 (although action in Time: 1945 (although action in

the play occurs in mid-1930s). the play occurs in mid-1930s). Place: Apartment house in a poor, Place: Apartment house in a poor,

shabby section of St. Louis, Mo. shabby section of St. Louis, Mo. The action takes place in the The action takes place in the Wingfield apartment and on the Wingfield apartment and on the fire escape. fire escape.

Lighting: Impressionistic, selective Lighting: Impressionistic, selective (not fully illuminated).(not fully illuminated).

Music adds to the nostalgic, Music adds to the nostalgic, gently melancholic tone of the gently melancholic tone of the play.play.

This is a “memory play,” and This is a “memory play,” and neither the settings nor the neither the settings nor the events are completely realistic. events are completely realistic. Tom, narrating while dressed as a Tom, narrating while dressed as a merchant seaman, says he will merchant seaman, says he will provide “truth in the pleasant provide “truth in the pleasant guise of illusion.”guise of illusion.”


Themes: Themes: Illusion versus realityIllusion versus reality ““inside and outside” lives (family/home inside and outside” lives (family/home

versus larger world)versus larger world) Past versus present/future (change, loss)Past versus present/future (change, loss) Family (dysfunctional)Family (dysfunctional) Escape Escape Paradox and ambivalence Paradox and ambivalence


Motifs:Motifs: ObsessionObsession EscapeEscape EntrapmentEntrapment Deception (reality versus Deception (reality versus

appearance)appearance)


LightingLighting: In the play’s original production : In the play’s original production notes, Williams describes the lighting as “dim notes, Williams describes the lighting as “dim and poetic.”and poetic.”

The lighting, along with the “gauze curtains,” The lighting, along with the “gauze curtains,” lends an unreal aura to the set, suggesting lends an unreal aura to the set, suggesting that this family functions in a dream world.that this family functions in a dream world.

Lighting gives the “pleasant disguise of Lighting gives the “pleasant disguise of illusion.”illusion.”

It also focuses on absent characters, most It also focuses on absent characters, most notably Mr. Wingfield through his photograph.notably Mr. Wingfield through his photograph.


MusicMusic is used throughout the play to evoke is used throughout the play to evoke mood and haunt memory. mood and haunt memory.

Williams once described the recurring Williams once described the recurring glass menagerie theme as a tune that is glass menagerie theme as a tune that is light, delicate, and as fragile as spun glass. light, delicate, and as fragile as spun glass. He said: “It is primarily Laura’s music, and He said: “It is primarily Laura’s music, and therefore, comes out most clearly when therefore, comes out most clearly when the play focuses upon her and the lovely the play focuses upon her and the lovely fragility of glass which is her image.”fragility of glass which is her image.”


Key symbols/motifsKey symbols/motifs

The The glass glass menagerie: Laura’s collection of animal menagerie: Laura’s collection of animal figurines represents the fragile relationships among all figurines represents the fragile relationships among all the characters. The glass unicorn is a symbol for the characters. The glass unicorn is a symbol for Laura. Laura.

The glass motif recurs throughout the play: For The glass motif recurs throughout the play: For example, Laura visits the conservatory at the zoo, a example, Laura visits the conservatory at the zoo, a haven for tropical flowers that are as vulnerable as haven for tropical flowers that are as vulnerable as she is outside of the glass world they live in. A glass she is outside of the glass world they live in. A glass ball that hangs from the ceiling of the Riverside Dance ball that hangs from the ceiling of the Riverside Dance Hall reflects rainbow colors and represents the dreams Hall reflects rainbow colors and represents the dreams of the dancers.of the dancers.


ColorColor: blue is associated with Laura, and : blue is associated with Laura, and yellowyellow is is commonly linked to Amanda. commonly linked to Amanda.

Blue Roses suggests a phenomenon contrary to Blue Roses suggests a phenomenon contrary to nature. There is an opposition between these nature. There is an opposition between these strange, different flowers and the natural, sunny strange, different flowers and the natural, sunny jonquils associated with Amanda.jonquils associated with Amanda.

In the original version of the play, Amanda’s party In the original version of the play, Amanda’s party dress (in Scene 6) was described as a “girlish frock of dress (in Scene 6) was described as a “girlish frock of yellowed voile” and the light that surrounds her as yellowed voile” and the light that surrounds her as “lemony.” Yellow equates to Amanda’s outgoing and “lemony.” Yellow equates to Amanda’s outgoing and optimistic attitude; blue denotes Laura’s melancholy optimistic attitude; blue denotes Laura’s melancholy outlook.outlook.


Vocabulary and allusions: Scenes 1 and 2Vocabulary and allusions: Scenes 1 and 2

blanc mangeblanc mange: a sweet, molded gelatin dessert made with milk.: a sweet, molded gelatin dessert made with milk. Blue MountainBlue Mountain: small town in northern Mississippi where Amanda : small town in northern Mississippi where Amanda

grew up.grew up. D.A.RD.A.R: Daughters of the American Revolution; national women: Daughters of the American Revolution; national women ’’s s

organization of descendants of patriots of the American Revolution.organization of descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. DoughboyDoughboy: a nickname for WWI infantrymen.: a nickname for WWI infantrymen. GuernicaGuernica: a town in the Basque region of Spain that was the site of a : a town in the Basque region of Spain that was the site of a

massive and brutal attack during the Spanish Civil War. massive and brutal attack during the Spanish Civil War. Metropolitan starMetropolitan star: a star in New York: a star in New York’’s Metropolitan Opera.s Metropolitan Opera. ““Ou sont les neigesOu sont les neiges”” French: French: ““Where are the snowsWhere are the snows”” ““Ou sont les negies dOu sont les negies d’’antan?antan?”” French: French: ““Where are the snows of Where are the snows of

yesteryear?yesteryear?”” portiereportiere: a heavy curtain hung across a doorway.: a heavy curtain hung across a doorway.


Journal entry #1Journal entry #1

““The Glass Menagerie” is a memory play narrated by The Glass Menagerie” is a memory play narrated by Tom. We learn much about his life and his family’s life Tom. We learn much about his life and his family’s life through his narration. Pretend you are telling YOUR through his narration. Pretend you are telling YOUR story. What would a “typical” evening in your house story. What would a “typical” evening in your house look like? What kind of interaction would be taking look like? What kind of interaction would be taking place? What would you be doing on a “typical” place? What would you be doing on a “typical” evening? What about your family members? Set the evening? What about your family members? Set the stage for us with descriptive setting details, much like stage for us with descriptive setting details, much like Williams does at the beginning of Scene 1 (lighting, Williams does at the beginning of Scene 1 (lighting, mood, background noise/music, etc.). Write in script mood, background noise/music, etc.). Write in script form.form.


Vocabulary and allusions: Scenes 3-4Vocabulary and allusions: Scenes 3-4

pleurosis: pleurosis: inflammation of the lungsinflammation of the lungs CelotexCelotex: a type of fiber board used for building insulation.: a type of fiber board used for building insulation. Hogan Gang: Hogan Gang: an infamous crime family from St. Louis.an infamous crime family from St. Louis. D.H. LawrenceD.H. Lawrence: English novelist and poet best known at : English novelist and poet best known at

that time for that time for ““Sons and Lovers.Sons and Lovers.”” DaumierDaumier: French painter, sculptor, and caricaturist, known : French painter, sculptor, and caricaturist, known

in his lifetime chiefly as a social and political satirist.in his lifetime chiefly as a social and political satirist.



ash pitsash pits: large mounds of ash left over from coal : large mounds of ash left over from coal furnaces.furnaces.

BerchtesgadenBerchtesgaden: an area of southeastern Germany, now : an area of southeastern Germany, now a national park, known for breathtaking views of the a national park, known for breathtaking views of the German Alps.German Alps.

FrancoFranco: general during the Spanish Civil War who : general during the Spanish Civil War who eventually became the ruler of Spain.eventually became the ruler of Spain.

jolly rogerjolly roger: the black flag with skull and crossbones : the black flag with skull and crossbones associated with pirates.associated with pirates.

Merchant MarineMerchant Marine: the fleet of U.S. ships that carried : the fleet of U.S. ships that carried imports and exports during peacetime and became a imports and exports during peacetime and became a naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war materials.materials.



PurinaPurina: a hot, multi-grain breakfast cereal made from : a hot, multi-grain breakfast cereal made from oats, wheat, and millet.oats, wheat, and millet.

cakewalkcakewalk: a dance with a strutting step based on a : a dance with a strutting step based on a promenade.promenade.

malariamalaria: an infectious disease transmitted to humans : an infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.by the bite of an infected mosquito.

quininequinine: a bitter extract from cinchona bark used as a : a bitter extract from cinchona bark used as a tonic to treat malaria.tonic to treat malaria.

jonquilsjonquils: a species of narcissus having a small yellow : a species of narcissus having a small yellow flower.flower.

cotillion:cotillion: a formal ball where debutantes are a formal ball where debutantes are presented.presented.


Journal entry #2Journal entry #2

Responsibility is a major theme in “The Glass Responsibility is a major theme in “The Glass Menagerie.” Tom feels burdened by his Menagerie.” Tom feels burdened by his responsibilities at home and tries to “escape” as responsibilities at home and tries to “escape” as often as he can, yet he still feels trapped in his often as he can, yet he still feels trapped in his life. Think about your life right now. If you could life. Think about your life right now. If you could “escape” from a major responsibility in your life, “escape” from a major responsibility in your life, what would you “escape” from and why? What what would you “escape” from and why? What would you do instead? What keeps you from would you do instead? What keeps you from “escaping” right now? “escaping” right now? TypeType a a detaileddetailed response. response.

““The Glass Menagerie”The Glass Menagerie”

Vocabulary and allusionsVocabulary and allusions: Scene 7: Scene 7

Century of ProgressCentury of Progress: an : an international faire held in Chicago international faire held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934, the theme of from 1933 to 1934, the theme of which was science and industry.which was science and industry.

Mazda lampMazda lamp: first lighted lamp : first lighted lamp invented by Thomas Edison.invented by Thomas Edison.

“Good Country People” Flannery O’Connor. Devoutly religious: raised as a strict Catholic....

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