The Glass Menagerie - 1

Throughout the play, nonrealistic qualities are displayed.  In the first scene, the stage is dimly lighted to make it seem like a dream because "the scene is a memory" (stage direction for scene 1, pg. 1235).  Another nonrealistic convention demonstrated is a character talking to the audience.  Tom begins the play by giving a little background information to the audience, but people don't talk to those who they believe might be watching in real life.  The Glass Menagerie has a narrator which is also a nonrealistic convention.  Another nonrealistic aspect is that most of the scenes fade out with music being played.  The play is probably on the more surrealistic side of the spectrum because of some of these nonrealistic qualities like talking to the audience.  I haven't noticed any breaks from the norm yet except the fact that some of the scenes do not have directions to fade the scene out and play music.  I don't know what the significance is, but hopefully I will find out.