Question

In ‘the glass menagerie’

For what reason do the stage directions often call for light to shine on Laura when she is not part of a conversation

To draw viewers attention to her beauty

To distract viewers from events happening on stage

To suggest that she understands the truth about her family

To emphasize to viewers that she is central to the action

Answer 1

The light shines on  Laura even when she is not part of the dialogue onstage, to emphasize to viewers that she is central to the action. In fact the whole play revolves around the fragile, disabled, socially inept Laura. She is the glue that holds this dysfunctional family together. She is the focus of her mother Amanda's attempts to marry her off. She is also the reason Tom continues to work in the warehouse in order to support her and Amanda, despite the bad relationship between mother and son.