The Glass Menagerie Memory and the Past Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a big long monologue.

Quote #22

Laura is still huddled upon the sofa, her feet drawn under her, her head resting on a pale blue pillow, her eyes wide and mysteriously watchful. The new floor lamp with its shade of rose-colored silk gives a soft, becoming light to her face, bringing out the fragile, unearthly prettiness which usually escapes attention. (Scene Seven, stage directions.)

Williams uses light to emphasize the subjective and memory nature of the play.

Quote #23

"I—don’t suppose—you remember me—at all?"

"You know I have an idea I’ve seen you before. I had that idea soon as you opened the door. It seemed almost like I was about to remember your name. But the name I started to call you—wasn’t a name? And so I stopped myself before I said it." (7.75, 7.76, Laura and Jim),

Although to a lesser degree than her mother, Laura, too, lives in a piece of the past, recalling her feelings for Jim.

Quote #24

"Blue Roses! My gosh, yes—Blue Roses! That’s what I had on my tongue when you opened the door! Isn’t it funny what tricks memory plays?" (7.78, Jim).

Jim’s line about memory playing tricks has a greater context in the play as a whole – raising the question as to what tricks Tom’s memory might be playing on us.