In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams gives the name “Wingfield” to the main characters, implying a symbolic idea, also presented through an abundance of bird references throughout the acts. These allusions are used to distinguish internal and external conflicts of each character, as well as their traits and futures. Each character has unique traits that are expressed through references to the avian.
Through allusions to the bird, Tom allows us to characterize his mother, Amanda. On page 6 of The Glass Menagerie, Tom says “It’s you that makes me rush through meals with your hawk like attention.” In this quote, Tom is articulating how he feels his mother is stalking him the way predators stalk their prey. Amanda plans ahead for her …show more content…
On page 15, Laura tells her mother, “I went in the art museum and the bird houses at the Zoo. I visited the penguins everyday.” Penguins look like regular birds, but they can’t fly, which separates them from other birds. This symbolizes how Laura appears like a regular girl, but she is not. The penguins’ disability and Laura’s go hand-in-hand, making them an anomaly of Laura. Additionally, Laura feels a strong connection with these penguins because they are both caged and trapped.
Another quote, from page 24, “For a moment he is pinioned by the bulky garment.” allows us to characterize Tom. To pinion means to remove a joint in a bird’s wing, taking away its ability to fly. This symbolizes how Tom feels like his wings are clipped. He longs to leave and be free, but feels he cannot. Tom is distinguished by his wanderlust and desire to leave, similar to his father. He does not want to be trapped like Laura and Amanda all his life. His hunger for freedom is fueled by his inspiration, the magician, who does as he pleases.
In summary, all three characters are connected by the bird motif, giving them a common bond. The whole family contributes this motif. For Amanda, the bird references indicated her motherly instinct to protect her young. This motif symbolizes Laura’s own fragility and trapped feelings, further continued by her handicap. In Tom’s case, it identify his wish for adventure and goal to travel the
Through allusions to the bird, Tom allows us to characterize his mother, Amanda. On page 6 of The Glass Menagerie, Tom says “It’s you that makes me rush through meals with your hawk like attention.” In this quote, Tom is articulating how he feels his mother is stalking him the way predators stalk their prey. Amanda plans ahead for her …show more content…
On page 15, Laura tells her mother, “I went in the art museum and the bird houses at the Zoo. I visited the penguins everyday.” Penguins look like regular birds, but they can’t fly, which separates them from other birds. This symbolizes how Laura appears like a regular girl, but she is not. The penguins’ disability and Laura’s go hand-in-hand, making them an anomaly of Laura. Additionally, Laura feels a strong connection with these penguins because they are both caged and trapped.
Another quote, from page 24, “For a moment he is pinioned by the bulky garment.” allows us to characterize Tom. To pinion means to remove a joint in a bird’s wing, taking away its ability to fly. This symbolizes how Tom feels like his wings are clipped. He longs to leave and be free, but feels he cannot. Tom is distinguished by his wanderlust and desire to leave, similar to his father. He does not want to be trapped like Laura and Amanda all his life. His hunger for freedom is fueled by his inspiration, the magician, who does as he pleases.
In summary, all three characters are connected by the bird motif, giving them a common bond. The whole family contributes this motif. For Amanda, the bird references indicated her motherly instinct to protect her young. This motif symbolizes Laura’s own fragility and trapped feelings, further continued by her handicap. In Tom’s case, it identify his wish for adventure and goal to travel the