Importance of stage directions, screen images, and screen legends in The Glass Menagerie

As a memory play… Tennessee Williams borrows from the medium of the cinema - Use of screen images to convey a message - Use of screen legends to deliver a specific piece of information

As a memory play… Williams’ techniques, borrowed specifically from silent films, allows him to present the uninterrupted continuity of Tom Wingfield’s stream of thought These techniques support the presentation of each scene as a “flashback”

As a memory play… Tom is essentially the author, narrator, director, and actor in his retelling of events Remember, each screen image and legend are particular aspects that stand out the most in Tom’s memory.

As a memory play… How might the screen images and legends change if it were Amanda or Laura retelling the same events? Some productions have decided to omit the screen images and legends. How do you think this impacts the audiences’ understanding of the play? What do you think Williams would say?