Tennessee Williams

Website Evaluators

Kim Deskin - Overlake Hospital Adolescent Psychiatric Program, Washington
Roslyn Gerken - Lincoln High School, New Jersey
Janet Goode - La Colina High School, California
Randy Heeres - Northern Michigan Christian High School, Michigan
Chris Huber - On Leave, Missouri
Gail Lindenberg - Nogales High School, California
Nicole Rosenberg - Graduate student, California
Wink Rush - Millington Central High School, Tennessee
Charles R. Sanders - San Pedro High School, California

Website Reviewer and Compiler

Chris Huber - On leave, Missouri

Site Ratings

1 = Poor     2 = Fair     3 = Good     4 = Excellent

Tandy vs. Tennessee
http://hipp.gator.net/scartandy.html

Thorough, attractive and easy to use, this site presents a "wonderful glimpse of both (Tennessee) Williams and Jessica Tandy," the original Blanche Dubois of A Streetcar Named Desire.  "Tandy's description of the character…and Williams' response to her analysis provide a first-hand look at the thinking and integrity of the two admirable dramatic artists."  Useful links "describe characters and setting, present discussion topics, explore poetic references in (the play), and provide a brief biography of the playwright."
Overall Rating:  4

Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie http://www.susqu.edu/ac_depts/arts_sci/english/lharris/class/WILLIAMS/table.htm

"This is a rich site with a wide range of choices": biography, bibliography, character sketches, plot summary, stills, sound and video.  There is also "literary criticism from four different points of view including a psychological and a feminist perspective."  Hypertext vocabulary left in place in scene 7 is linked to entries in a glossary.  Navigation from the table of contents is totally straightforward.
Overall Rating:  4

The Hippodrome Theatre:  A Streetcar Named Desire
http://hipp.gator.net/scarperspect.html

"This guide includes a discussion of A Streetcar Named Desire (through) an excellent (illustrated) biography of the playwright," poetic references and brief explorations of setting and characters.  Eleven discussion topics are presented.
Overall Rating:  3

Kahn Returns to Williams
http://www.shakespearedc.org/sboykahn.html

In this article from Washingtonian Magazine, director Michael Kahn discusses his 1998 production of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth.  While "not specifically geared to instructional needs," it is interesting to read the thoughts of a director who knew and worked with Williams.  We learn "why Kahn chose to stage Sweet Bird of Youth…Williams' childhood and the meaning of the play."
Overall Rating:  3

Lesson:  The Glass Menagerie
http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/glassmen/contents.htm

The "Site Map" on the home page presents a topical menu.  Most of the links will take you to other good sites.  Two are at the home site: 1) Dates to Remember, which goes to a Chronology of Some Events in Williams's Life, and 2) Topics for Writing Assignments.  The four assignments are aimed at college students and each has a page of background and set-up material.
Overall Rating:  3

Microsoft Encarta:  Tennessee Williams
http://encarta.msn.com/find/concise/default.asp?vs=x97&la=na&ty=1&ro=09&ti=01189000&pq=i ntennessee

Perhaps the most valuable feature of this computer-encyclopedia page on Tennessee Williams is "the capability to search a database of periodicals" for more information on the playwright.  The initial page offers a "photo of the playwright, an audio excerpt from A Streetcar Named Desire, with written explanation," and a brief biography.  There are links to "a handful of good websites," including "criticism and interpretation and contemporary drama."
Overall Rating:  3

Perspectives in American Literature:  A Research and Reference Guide
http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap8/williams.html

The extensive bibliography comprises several categories of works by and about the author and his plays.  In the Assessment section, it is asserted that Williams' "pervasive theme is the inescapable loneliness of (the) human condition."  This point of view is explored through brief discussions of the characters Stanley and Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire.  General study questions directed at Williams' body of work are included, as well as some about Portrait of a Madonna.  Inside and outside links are clearly identified."  "A student researching Williams' life or one of the dramas, need look no further than this site" for guidance.
Overall Rating:  3

The Real Tennessee Williams
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1997/11/01/STYLE12928.dtl

"Students or teachers who are seeking a glimpse into (Tennessee Williams') background beyond what is offered in the anthology will enjoy the fresh writing style and additional information" in this interview of Williams' biographer, Lyle Leverich.  Leverich asserts that "in private, Williams was prompt, professional and respectful" and that he "consciously crafted and projected a reputation for being eccentric."  One interesting sidelight is a discussion about "an alternative ending to A Streetcar Named Desire."
Overall Rating:  3

Scattered Scraps of Genius:  "Shadow Wood"
http://www.fgi.net/~dakin/newpoem.html

"Wait for the music to load!"  You will hear the Beatles' "We Can Work it Out" as you "view the scanned original of Tennessee Williams' poem 'Shadow Wood.'"  Visitors to this site will see "a different side to Williams' writing and style."  One evaluator suggests that teachers "have students research and supply a text of the song or suggest a substitute that would go with the theme of the poem."
Overall Rating:  3

Teacher CyberGuide
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/glass/glasstg.html http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/glass/gla sstg.html

"This complete teaching tool includes lesson objectives, content standards, required materials, and six activities, (which) are well detailed."  It is a little heavy on the education jargon.  The site was designed by the San Diego College of Education to help teachers of "students in 11th grade to focus on a playwright's use of contemporary commercial images to develop theme, mood, and character in a drama."  The four main activities call upon students to explore the Internet links provided, participate in a discussion, create a persuasive ad, and update a scene from the play.
Overall Rating:  3

Becoming a Better Person:  The Glass Menagerie
http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/projects/1996-97/Book_Reviews/S97/ElliotEpstein.html

This review of The Glass Menagerie was composed by a seventh grader, and is worth a quick visit for an introduction to the play.  "The exploration of the plot line is complete, but limited in its perspective."  Elliot Epstein's treatment of Laura's transformation is clear and well written.  Use it as a model of what seventh graders can do.
Overall Rating:  2

Experience Literature
http://www.smpcollege.com/experience_literature/drama/williams.htm

A one-paragraph biographical sketch serves to introduce the playwright.  The site also includes eight generic questions to keep in mind when studying drama, and a couple of links to other sites.
Overall Rating:  2

The Glass Menagerie  and A Streetcar Named Desire
http://kcweb.nhmccd.cc.tx.us/employee/jsamuels/streetcar.htm

|This site offers sparse information on Tennessee Williams, but spend a little time exploring the links and you'll find "multiple sources" on The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire, and access to "criticisms of the literature, a biography,…video and sound…pieces of performances, famous quotes, lines and character sketches."  The links have "excellent graphics," but the "backgrounds…often make the text difficult to read."
Overall Rating:  2

Love and Death in Tennessee Williams
http://jackfritscher.com/fr38000.html

This doctoral thesis on Williams dates from 1967 and is "well presented, though lengthy and highly intellectual.  Teachers may find some inspiration in the tone and thematic topics presented, but should explore the content fully" before recommending it to students.
Overall Rating:  2

Notebook of Trigorin
http://web.wwnorton.com/nd/winter98/twilliams.htm

This site is a review of Tennessee Williams' Notebook of Trigorin, his adaptation of Anton Chekhov's play, The Seagull.  The review "serves of little value to most students and teachers," but is noteworthy for pointing out that "Williams called Chekhov's play…'the first and greatest of modern plays,'" and that he wrote the adaptation "as a tribute to the Russian writer."
Overall Rating:  2

Teach with Movies:  Parents' Guide to The Glass Menagerie
http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/glass-menagerie.html

This site exists to provide parents a quick reference to determine whether movies are appropriate for particular kids.  There is a paragraph of background and three sentences about Williams.  It includes 4 discussion questions specific to The Glass Menagerie and additional standard questions for any movie.
Overall Rating:  2

Tortured Tennessee
http://www.footlights.com/art6e.html

If you are researching the life of Tennessee Williams in depth, this article by Michael Neville, whose play, Eddie and the Bird, is about Williams, will fill in some of the seamier details.  This "gossipy" article informs us that "Williams dressed funny, was a sloppy housekeeper, was shy, hypersensitive and self-effacing, abused amphetamines and alcohol, and was openly gay."  The site "may be a problem, depending on community/teacher/student."
Overall Rating:  2