Distortion In The Glass Menagerie

The distortion of truth appears in The Glass Menagerie, as, it is play based solely upon Tom’s memory, which presents reality and illusion through the characters. The play is not realistic, and, as Tom says, the full truth is not revealed: “...I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion” (Williams 4). The play lacks realism because memory plays with truth. Elements of untruthfulness appear, but it is because of lack of remembrance of the past. He narrates the events that occur from his point of view, eliminating various details Reality and truth is presented through this illusion he is telling, as well as untruthfulness and illusions . Characters in this play often lie to themselves, create
They live in illusions, with the memories of reality in the past, similar to 1984, where history is important to accepting of their reality. This play shows how characters distort truths to accept the fact that they cannot understand each other. Amanda alludes to her past, and is untruthful to herself in order to cope with her reality. She cannot understand her children's’ ways. As a mother, she remembers her youthful experiences, and longs for the same for her children, Tom and Laura. When talking of her past, she has an elated diction, happier than that of when she talks of the present: QUOTE AND EXPLAIN. Her past has become an illusion and is not the truth of her reality, yet it influences her language. Amanda was outgoing in her youth and desired much attention, differing tremendously from Laura. The language when she describes her lifestyle is a zealous tone, showing excitement and eagerness for her daughter to feel the same. She often tries to live vicariously through her daughter, in denial of the