Symbolism in the Glass Menagerie
I have a poets weakness for symbols, says Tom Wingfield, the narrator and a major character in the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. In Toms opening speech he says, I give you the truth in the pleasant hide of illusion. Through the eyes of Tom, the reader wins a glance into the feel of his family; his incur who clings to the past, his sister, Laura, who is too unconvincing to function in society, and himself, a struggling man who works in a store to pay the bills for his family.
Symbols are a major part of this play. integrity of the major symbols is the fire escape, which has a different meaning for everyone in the family. For Tom, it is a way for him to leave his daily life of gainful bills and working behind him. For Amanda, Toms mother, it symbolizes the hope she has of acquire Laura a husband. Finally, for Laura it is the path back to the safety of her own slim world where she can hide. This is proven when Laura is sent down the steps to do a chore for her mother and falls.
The glass zoological garden that Laura has collected is used many times in the play. It represents how fragile Laura is. The first time the zoo is used is when Tom and his mother get into a fight.
While Tom is trying to get his jacket on he becomes clumsy because of his anger and he throws his jacket into the menagerie and breaks some of the glass by accident. When this happens Laura cries by as if wounded. This proves how Laura reacts when even the littlest change in her world. The menagerie comes into play again when Laura and Tom are having a communication and it quickly goes to the glass. Laura says, Glass is something you have to take care of. Which show how she needs to be taken care of too.
The unicorn in Lauras menagerie has more significance because it represents Laura herself. The unicorn and Laura are both unique, the unicorn has a horn and Laura has a disability that most people tiret have....If you want to get a full essay, state it on our website: Orderessay
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