Streetcar, Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams, Play Draft #2

Take the first twenty minutes of class to complete your play review/critique.

A review is made up of an introductory paragraph (3-5 sentences about the history of the play: who wrote it, when was it first produced, who originated the roles, and what are the major themes of the play.) The body starts with a paragraph summarizing the play's plot. In 3-5 sentences describe what happens in the play from beginning to end. The next body paragraph discusses characters, themes, or stage effects. For each, state your opinion and qualify it with an example from the play. Lastly, to conclude, answer: should a person attend this play? Is the play likely to be an interesting one to view live? Why or why not?

Then take the next ten minutes of class to view this video clip from the film version of A Streetcar Named Desire. Then watch these scene clips:
Scene Nine
Scene Ten
Scene Eleven

We will discuss A Streetcar Named Desire in class today. Afterward, we will be picking up the next play we will be reading: The Glass Menagerie, also by Tennessee Williams.

When we arrive back from the library, please get into the following groups:

A. Carolyn, Nora, Briyanna, Kaisean, Gabriela
B. Emily, Haris, Madeline, Temielle, Gus
C. Harrison, Angela R., Desire, My, Samantae
D. Hannah, Angela B., Mariah, Shannon, Gracie
E. Erin, Cassidy, Ashley, Taylor, Donyel

Together in your group, please begin reading The Glass Menagerie aloud. As you read, consider Tom's role in the play as "narrator" and the idea that what we are seeing is a reflection of his memory, not the actual events themselves. This technique is lovingly called a MEMORY PLAY.

Characteristics of Memory Plays:

1. Often use a "narrator" or "first person" character to tell the story.
2. Memory is tenuous and therefore set pieces or props, costumes, setting are representative or use synecdoche.
3. Scenes and characters are atmospheric and subjective. We are getting the narrator's (often the protagonist's) opinion and view of other characters, events. Thus, the style of a memory play is often EXPRESSIONISTIC.
4. Not exactly realism (which strives to present all facts realistically and objectively) the memory play allows for a vivid expression to suggest meaning (metaphor, for example).

HOMEWORK: Not done with your review? Complete it. Hand it in late next class. Also, please continue working on your second draft of your 10-minute play. The second draft is not due yet, but will be next week. Always finding yourself behind in the class?--Do yourself a favor and work on the play draft over the weekend.