Rising Senior
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES AT YORK COLLEGE 94-50 159TH STREET JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11451 Telephone: 718-657-3181 Fax: 718-657-2579 Jie Zhang, Principal Lenneen Gibson, Assistant Principal Greg Reo, Assistant Principal
SUMMER ASSIGNMENT FOR RISING SENIORS
Tennessee Williams begins The Glass Menagerie with a comment by Tom Wingfield, who serves as both narrator of and character within the play: “Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve. But 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.” In one sentence, Williams has summarized the essence of all drama. To the very end of the play, he maintains a precarious balance between truth and illusion, creating in the process what he contends is the “essential ambiguity of man that I think needs to be stated.” 1 The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams’ first major play to appear on Broadway, is an autobiographical work. In it he delineates several personal and societal problems: the isolation of those who are outsiders for one reason or another, the hardships faced by single mothers, the difficulties a disability may create for a family, and the struggle of a young artist to begin his career. 2 Read The Glass Menagerie (1945) by Tennessee Williams and complete all parts of the assignment below. Moreover, you must complete the “Rising Senior Survival Guide” contained in this document. All work is due on the first day of class.
1 2
Magill on Literature Ibid
Summer Reading The Glass Menagerie
By Tennessee Williams
Research:
Look up information and record your findings for the following items. This information will help your overall understanding of the play. 1. A definition and brief background on the role of the ―drummer‖ in American society
2. What are jonquils? What do they look like and how much do they cost?
3. What is Guernica?
SUMMER ASSIGNMENT FOR RISING SENIORS
Tennessee Williams begins The Glass Menagerie with a comment by Tom Wingfield, who serves as both narrator of and character within the play: “Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve. But 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.” In one sentence, Williams has summarized the essence of all drama. To the very end of the play, he maintains a precarious balance between truth and illusion, creating in the process what he contends is the “essential ambiguity of man that I think needs to be stated.” 1 The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams’ first major play to appear on Broadway, is an autobiographical work. In it he delineates several personal and societal problems: the isolation of those who are outsiders for one reason or another, the hardships faced by single mothers, the difficulties a disability may create for a family, and the struggle of a young artist to begin his career. 2 Read The Glass Menagerie (1945) by Tennessee Williams and complete all parts of the assignment below. Moreover, you must complete the “Rising Senior Survival Guide” contained in this document. All work is due on the first day of class.
1 2
Magill on Literature Ibid
Summer Reading The Glass Menagerie
By Tennessee Williams
Research:
Look up information and record your findings for the following items. This information will help your overall understanding of the play. 1. A definition and brief background on the role of the ―drummer‖ in American society
2. What are jonquils? What do they look like and how much do they cost?
3. What is Guernica?