glass

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams is a loosely autobiographical memory play this is enriched with symbolism. The play itself is symbolic and parallels with much of Williams own unhappy family background. The symbolism used by the playwright is used to represent the desire to escape or to distinguish the difference between illusion and reality. Much of the symbolism used is specific to each character, but the most important symbol is Laura’s glass menagerie.

The Glass Menagerie as a whole serves as a reflection of Tennessee Williams personal life. The character of Tom, who is named after Williams own given name of Thomas, shares the same desire to escape from his demanding family life. Laura, whose nickname Blue Roses is a veiled reference to Tennessee Williams sister Rose. Laura much like Rose also suffers from a disability. While Rose suffered from schizophrenia, Laura’s disability was physical but both women were emotionally fragile and dependent on others to care and provide for them. Amanda Wingfield is very similar to Williams mother Edwina. Both matriarchs deeply care for their children but live in a world of illusion, where their reality is having a life of social poise and grandeur. The Wingfield patriarch abandoned the family years before the events of the play but it can be noted that he is similar to Williams own father who was an alcoholic traveling salesman who was always away from home.

The Glass Menagerie is a play about the memories of a young man named Tom Wingfield. Tom dreams of escaping his complicated and completely dependent family. Tennessee Williams uses symbolism to emphasize Tom’s yearning to leave. The first symbol of this the fire escape which serves as a bridge to reality from the illusive wo...

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... as a “girlish frock of yellow voile”, and is the same one she wore as a young girl to meet her gentlemen callers. Music is another important symbol in the play. The music serves to accentuate themes and heighten the drama. The play has a recurrent theme song that is mainly used on scene’s that focus on Laura. Laura also listens to music on her victrola as comfort from her life, especially at times her mother deems inappropriate.

Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie is a profound play that uses symbolism as a way to remember his personal life but to add depth to each character. Each character brings a symbol that is essential to plot of the story. All of the symbolic elements come together at the end of the play. Tom has escaped his life with Amanda and Laura and is riddled with guilt as everything around him serves as a reminder of his old life, especially Laura.