The Glass Menagerie

A detailed Summary of The Glass Menagerie


The play The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, Williams

uses many symbols which represent many different things. Many of the

symbols used in the play try to symbolize some form of escape or

difference between reality and illusion. The first symbol, presented in the first scene, is the fire escape. This represents the "bridge" between the illusory world of the Wingfields and the world of reality. This "bridge" seems to be a one way passage. But the direction varies for each character. For Tom, the fire escape is the way out of the world of Amanda and Laura and an entrance into the world of reality. For Laura, the fire escape is a way into her world. A way to escape from reality. Both examples can readily be seen: Tom will stand outside on the fire escape to smoke, showing that he does not like to be inside, to be a part of the illusionary world. Laura, on the other hand, thinks of the fire escape as a way in and not a way out. This can be seen when Amanda sends Laura to go to the store: Laura trips on the fire escape. This also sh


One symbol which is rather obvious is Laura's glass menagerie. Her collection of glass represents her own private world. Set apart from reality, a place where she can hide and be safe. The events that happen to Laura's glass affects Laura's emotional state greatly. When Amanda tells Laura to practice typing, Laura instead plays with her glass. When Amanda is heard walking up the fire escape, she quickly hides her collection. She does this to hide her secret world from the others. When Tom leaves to go to the movies in an angered rush, he accidentally breaks some of Laura's glass. The shattered glass represents Laura's understanding of Tom's responsibilities to her.Also, the unicorn, which is important, represents Laura directly. Laura points out to Jim that the unicorn is different, just as she is different. She also points out that the unicorn does not complain of being different, as she does not complain either. And when Jim breaks the horn off the unicorn, Laura points out that now it is like theother horses, just as Laura has shed some o

Some common words found in the essay are:
Amanda Jim, Amanda Laura, Laura Jim, Williams Williams, Jim Jim, fire escape, Seaman's Union, laura's glass, world reality, , fire escape world, escape reality, laura jim, memory play, glass represents, symbols play, jim represents, escape world,

Approximate Word count = 705
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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