Реферат: The Glass Menagerie Symbols Essay Research Paper

The Glass Menagerie: Symbols Essay, Research Paper

The Glass Menagerie: Symbols

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 shows that Laura’s fears and emotions greatly affect her

physical condition, more so than normal people.

Another symbol presented deals more with Tom than any of the other characters:

Tom’s habit of going to the movies shows us his longing to leave the apartment

and head out into the world of reality. A place where one can find adventure.

And Tom, being a poet, can understand the needs of man to long for adventure and

romance. But he is kept from entering reality by Amanda, who criticizes him as

being a “selfish dreamer.” But, Tom has made steps to escape into reality by

transferring the payment of a light bill to pay for his dues in the Merchant

Seaman’s Union.

Another symbol, which deals with both Amanda and Laura, is Jim O’Connor. To

Laura, Jim represents the one thing she fears and does not want to face, reality.

Jim is a perfect example of “the common man.” A person with no real outstanding

quality. In fact, Jim is rather awkward, which can be seen when he dances with

--> ЧИТАТЬ ПОЛНОСТЬЮ <--