The Glass Menagerie In the play The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams’ style of writing is very descriptive and illustrative, making the reader comprehend the story clearly. Williams successfully uses symbolism throughout the play to implement the theme of escape; creating a better understanding of the true meaning behind the play for the reader. The theme is built up by using symbolism. For example, Toms excessive use of alcohol, Laura’s glass collection, and the Wingfield’s fire escape. For instance, in The Glass Menagerie alcohol symbolizes an escape for Tom however, alcohol symbolizes evil for Amanda (his mother). Tom gradually grew up being influenced by his father, who was an alcoholic and who abandoned the family months before. Amanda
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“I don’t do anything-much. Oh please don’t think I sit around doing nothing! My glass collection takes up a good deal of time in my life. Glass is something you have to take good care of.” (Williams 118). Furthermore, Laura’s sacred glass collection is something so major in her life, she cannot really do much else due to her disability. Her glass collection symbolizes the way she is. Glass is clear and dreary, with no color, but when the light shines through the glass it creates a rainbow of numerous colors. Therefore, Laura externally may seem clear and dreary with no emotion, but internally she is very outgoing and vibrant: describing her personality, which is an immense part of someone’s life. “Indeed, whenever she is encouraged to go beyond her anxiety, her reflex is to pick up one of her ‘little glass ornaments.’” (Levy). Consequently, Laura’s glass collection is, for her, an escape from reality and her anxiety. After Amanda helped get Laura dressed for her wedding Amanda hurtfully tells Laura that this is the finest she will ever look, bringing down her self-esteem. She quickly goes to her glass collection after she has been offended by her mother; she uses her glass collection to escape her mother’s judgement. Williams expresses this symbolism beautifully; given the fact Laura is a main character and the book is called The Glass
“I don’t do anything-much. Oh please don’t think I sit around doing nothing! My glass collection takes up a good deal of time in my life. Glass is something you have to take good care of.” (Williams 118). Furthermore, Laura’s sacred glass collection is something so major in her life, she cannot really do much else due to her disability. Her glass collection symbolizes the way she is. Glass is clear and dreary, with no color, but when the light shines through the glass it creates a rainbow of numerous colors. Therefore, Laura externally may seem clear and dreary with no emotion, but internally she is very outgoing and vibrant: describing her personality, which is an immense part of someone’s life. “Indeed, whenever she is encouraged to go beyond her anxiety, her reflex is to pick up one of her ‘little glass ornaments.’” (Levy). Consequently, Laura’s glass collection is, for her, an escape from reality and her anxiety. After Amanda helped get Laura dressed for her wedding Amanda hurtfully tells Laura that this is the finest she will ever look, bringing down her self-esteem. She quickly goes to her glass collection after she has been offended by her mother; she uses her glass collection to escape her mother’s judgement. Williams expresses this symbolism beautifully; given the fact Laura is a main character and the book is called The Glass