The Glass Menagerie: Scene 7

by Tennessee Williams
Amanda Wingfield clings to her memories of her youth while living with her two children, Laura and Tom. When Tom brings a friend home for dinner, the family's precarious balance is disrupted.

Here are links to our lists for the play: Scenes 1–2, Scenes 3–4, Scenes 5–6, Scene 7
15 words 852 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. negligence
    failure to act with the prudence of a reasonable person
    There’s such a high price for negligence in this world!
  2. intolerable
    incapable of being put up with
    She can hardly speak from the almost intolerable strain of being alone with a stranger.
  3. incident
    a single distinct event
    While the incident is apparently unimportant, it is to Laura the climax of her secret life.
  4. indulge
    give free rein to
    JIM: I think that I will indulge, with your permission.
  5. tumult
    violent agitation
    She remains by the table, picks up a piece from the glass menagerie collection, and turns it in her hands to cover her tumult.
  6. excel
    distinguish oneself
    Everybody excels in some one thing.
  7. execute
    carry out or perform an action
    He executes some sweeping turns by himself, then holds his arms toward Laura.
  8. hesitant
    unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
    [His voice becomes soft and hesitant with a genuine feeling.]
  9. daze
    confusion characterized by lack of clarity
    When he releases her, Laura sinks on the sofa with a bright, dazed look.
  10. desolation
    sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandoned
    There is a look of almost infinite desolation.
  11. rejuvenate
    make younger or more youthful
    AMANDA: Tonight I’m rejuvenated!
  12. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    [There is an ominous cracking sound in the sky.]
  13. illusion
    an act of deception, considered magical by naive observers
    You live in a dream; you manufacture illusions!
  14. deserted
    forsaken by owner or inhabitants
    Don’t think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who’s crippled and has no job!
  15. interfere
    get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action
    Don’t let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure!
Created on Wed May 15 20:36:51 EDT 2013 (updated Fri Aug 01 15:21:24 EDT 2025)

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