Analysis of The Glass Menagerie

The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, is a prime example of a classic drama, infusing powerful themes with compelling characters to draw the reader in and allow them to connect. William’s character Laura plays a large part in accomplishing this, particularly in Scene VII, when she converses with Jim. This scene is especially important to the story as a whole, and helps develop Laura’s character and the theme of conformity. This theme, that to be accepted by society one must conform, is prevalent throughout the story, but centers around this portion of the play specifically. The conversation between Laura and Jim is a pivotal part of the drama that is very impactive and provides substance for the theme and character development in the rest of the drama.

In this portion of the play, Laura finally works up the courage to speak with Jim, after a bit of persuasion. She is having a surprisingly good time, and becoming more open due to Jim’s polite and relaxed manner. They reminisce over old times, and Jim tells Laura that she needs to be more confident in herself. The mood is lighthearted and easy, and Laura becomes so comfortable that she tells him about her glass menagerie, and she even lets him handle the glass unicorn. They begin dancing, and when they accidentally bump the table, the glass unicorn falls off, and its horn is broken from its head. Although the unicorn is a prized possession of Laura’s, she does not worry about the fact that it broke; instead she stays positive and insists that now it fits in with the rest of her glass horses.

This section of the drama contains a very important symbol that helps the reader understand Laura and her feelings; the unicorn. Williams created the unicorn as a symbolic representati...

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...o longer satisfied with living her life the way she had been, instead she feels the need to be like the others around her. She wants it so badly that she is distraught when that hope starts to fade before her eyes as Jim admits that he has another woman. Within the drama, society is consistently pushing conformity as the key to a happy life, and Tom, Amanda, and Laura are not above its influence.

Although the whole play The Glass Menagerie is influential, the scene where Laura’s glass unicorn breaks is a focal point, and greatly affects the story as whole. It puts forth a major theme of the story, that society strives for conformity, and helps infuse this theme throughout the text. It helps the reader understand Laura’s character, and understand her changing viewpoint and feelings. This scene provides a strong basis for Williams to create a truly original drama.