The Glass Menagerie is a play full of symbolism, but the elements are not the only symbols in the play, the characters themselves are symbols as well. The characters in The Glass Menagerie represent Tennessee Williams himself, while the play as a whole represents his life. The characters Tom, Laura, and Amanda can be compared to Tennessee, his sister Rose, and his mother Edwina. Throughout the story, it can be seen that Tom and Tennessee suffer through the same struggles. Like Tennessee, Tom goes through a serious depression where he expresses his thoughts and feelings through writing stories and plays. In the end, also like Tennessee, Tom leaves home because it is too sad and depressing for him there. Tom and Laura’s father in the play works
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Similar to Tom and Amanda, young Tennessee and his mother didn’t have a horrible relationship, but it wasn’t great. Amanda never approved of Tom’s infatuation for reading and writing stories, she proves it by throwing out one of his books in scene three, “I took that horrible novel back to the library—yes! That hideous book by that insane Mr. Lawrence. I cannot control the output of diseased minds or people who cater to them—BUT I WON’T ALLOW SUCH FILTH BROUGHT IN MY HOUSEHOLD” (3.1.16). Unlike Amanda, Edwina actually supported Tennessee’s love for writing. Similar to Amanda, Edwina wanted nothing but the best for her children but her constant badgering ultimately annoyed the children. While Tennessee was away at college, both of his parents allowed Rose to undergo a prefrontal lobotomy. Tennessee never forgave his mother for it; this is the reason why Amanda is shown in such a negative way. Rose Williams is the most obviously represented (if you know Williams’ background) family member in The Glass Menagerie. Laura Wingfield is used to represent Rose Williams. Rose and Laura suffer from an illness and are both extremely fragile and shy. Laura’s nickname “Blue Roses” is likely a tribute to Rose
Similar to Tom and Amanda, young Tennessee and his mother didn’t have a horrible relationship, but it wasn’t great. Amanda never approved of Tom’s infatuation for reading and writing stories, she proves it by throwing out one of his books in scene three, “I took that horrible novel back to the library—yes! That hideous book by that insane Mr. Lawrence. I cannot control the output of diseased minds or people who cater to them—BUT I WON’T ALLOW SUCH FILTH BROUGHT IN MY HOUSEHOLD” (3.1.16). Unlike Amanda, Edwina actually supported Tennessee’s love for writing. Similar to Amanda, Edwina wanted nothing but the best for her children but her constant badgering ultimately annoyed the children. While Tennessee was away at college, both of his parents allowed Rose to undergo a prefrontal lobotomy. Tennessee never forgave his mother for it; this is the reason why Amanda is shown in such a negative way. Rose Williams is the most obviously represented (if you know Williams’ background) family member in The Glass Menagerie. Laura Wingfield is used to represent Rose Williams. Rose and Laura suffer from an illness and are both extremely fragile and shy. Laura’s nickname “Blue Roses” is likely a tribute to Rose