Symbolism in the Glass Menagerie

Introduction

The play 'The Glass Menagerie', written by Tennessee Williams uses symbols to establish and develop crucial themes and in general, to further the audience's perspective of the play. These main ideas are conveyed through the entire piece, by use of symbols and the most influential aspect, the main characters; Tom, Laura and Amanda, all three are members of the Wingfield family. The characters of the play give a deeper and more consequential aspect to the themes and symbols (Stein, 120-25).

The character of Laura is also associated with autobiographical references worth mentioning. The conflict of the story begins when Amanda realizes that Laura has left her typing classes, Laura explains that one of these classes became very nervous and broke down because they watched. Amanda states that it is time to get nervous; Laura should get quickly to secure their future suitor. But Laura is not in the least interested in their future, they spend many hours fixing their small and fragile collection of glass animals to which she calls her Glass Menagerie and listen to old records that belonged to his father (Jackson, 116).

Discussion and Analysis

Symbolism

Tom plays the narrator of the play and also a character within the play. Tom worked in the Shoe Maker's factory to earn enough money to support his family. When in reality that was not his decision, no personal satisfaction came from this job; he had a longing to discover himself with his passions for adventure, writing poetry, and his foremost dream of escaping this life he did not desire. He dreamt of leaving behind his family and moving on with his own life, but felt he was compelled to stay and care for the people he did not believe should be his responsibility in the first place. He finally has the opportunity to follow his dream and pursue the life of adventure, wherever that may lead him. The memories of Laura will pursue him throughout the rest of his life; while in a way I think that proves to be just as constrained as the Wingfield apartment (Fambrough, 100).

I believe the main symbols that were connected with Tom throughout the play are as follows... The first is the fire escape, which he used more commonly than the front door. “A shake off the arouses of thwarting and disfunction, that fumes in the Wingfield household”. Frequently Tom slips outside for a smoke and anticipates the final escape; which in turn foreshadows the ultimate decision to do so. The second is the movies and literature. I mean it's quite clear Tom does not only go to the movies, he obviously goes to the bar as well. That's not the point. Tom just wants to have the opportunity to escape from his burdens and experience adventure, even if it's only for a few hours. Movies, dreams and literature, Tom is just trying to preserve the life of the mind (Bunan, 187-89).

Amanda Wingfield can most definitely be described as a faded ...