Genre+Exam+Nickasey+Freeman



= //Nighthawks// by Edward Hopper //-// My Inspiration for “The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams = = = Genre: Realism (Applies very well to “The Glass Menagerie” ) Same Time Period and Artistic Movement

//Nighthawks,// done by Edward Hopper, depicts three individuals deeply in thought at an all american 1940s diner and grill. Each person seated at the bar sits inside trying to accept the reality of each of their situations. The man and the women appear to be trying together to make the best of their unknown situation. The cool, yet vibrant colors give and air of mystery and thought. Not only can the theme of accepting reality be found in this painting, but also in Tennessee William's "The Glass Menagerie". Each character in Willian's play is slowly trying to accept their own reality while existing in their own dream like space. At time, each character can be found ignoring the dark outside world consume, at the time, with war and death like the three people at the bar. Both pieces say "It's better here in my own head, than outside where there is uncertainty of the unknown." Come aspects of the painting inspired possible design for my production of "The Glass Menagerie".

Set: 1940s themed. Very patriotic. Set must scream America, but without using large amount of red, white, and blue. (//Nighthaws// is a classic American painting with its classic 1940s style it screams patriotism.) Typical American apartment in the city. The city vibe depicted in //Nighthawks// must be vague aware int he apartment, but only present with things associated with Tom who works in the city and appreciates the fast life of the city.

Lighting: The dim fluorescent lighting of the 1940s diner in //Nighthawks// set against the dark lighting outside provides the perfect mysterious contrast. The painting appears dreamlike yet very realistic, almost as if it were a distant memory. The people in the lit diner are deep in thought escaping from the dark world outside which symbolizes reality. (World War II was dark time for americans.) In “The Glass Menagerie” Tom’s many flashbacks and asides, are his attempt to escape the world and in a way revert back to his youth. Lighting would be completely centered on him and his past experience while the rest of the stage is black. (This conveys his asides and flashbacks as his method of escape from his family, almost like a day dream.)

Costuming (My Area): Since my play, “The Glass Menagerie” and //Nighthawks// are both in the same era, I easily draw inspiration from the clothing of the people seated in the diner. The snazzy suits of the two gentlemen sitting at the bar of the diner automatically draw inspiration for Tom, the main character and Laura’s gentlemen caller, Jim O’Conner (Mostly in favor of Jim. The woman sitting at the scene would be the image Laura longs to be. The elegant dress of the women in the picture would be used to construct a dress of the same color, but with a frumpier feel. It would be a looser-fitting attempt at the woman’s dress. It would depict Laura and Amanda’s attempt make Laura more appealing to “gentlemen callers.”