Preexisting Social Stereotypes In The Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams

Superior Essays
The Glass Menagerie is an extremely successful piece of literature by Tennessee Williams. Williams’s play was first written in 1944 and reflects on a unique view into the fragileness of a families’ structure. The story touches on preexisting social norms and values within society. In a world of complex characters, Laura Wingfield character speaks volumes. Williams describes Laura as a painfully shy, self-conscious young woman, who is physical disabled as a result of a childhood illness. She lives in a world of illusions and fantasy, spending her time collecting glass figurines. Williams characterization of Laura leads to misleading and misrepresenting stereotypes regarding individuals who are crippled.
The setting of the play takes place in
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She had been attending Rubicam’s Business College but, because of such severe nerves, she became violently ill and was unable to attend. (Williams pg. 14) Instead of attending classes spend her time just drifting from one place, even visiting museums. Other events in the play consists of Amanda and Tom arguing, as a result Laura often becomes frightened and once again nervous. When discussing Laura with Amanda, Tom mention that Laura is not just crippled but being crippled has made her peculiar and different from other girls. (Williams …show more content…
In a particular part in Scene Four, Tom tells Laura about a magic show and which the magician escapes from a nailed up coffin (Williams pg. 27). The coffin in general symbolizes the situations he faces within his own life, unable to achieve his dreams or go about adventures because of his family. The magician has the capability of escaping from his coffin while is still confined to his own, incapable of disrupting the lives of Amanda and of course Laura.
The Glass Menagerie is a very intricate piece of literature that examines the social norm. Williams introduces the world to the very complex character of Laura Wingfield. Williams’s play enables the reader to experience the relationship that many mental and physical hardship they are struggling to overcome. Williams detail description regarding Laura, allow the reader to have a better understanding of the character. Laura illusions demonstrates to readers her separation from society and become more like her glass menagerie, beautiful but

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