Symbols In The Glass Menagerie

In the play, The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, Williams uses many symbols which represent many different things.?Many of the symbols used in the play try to symbolize some form of escape or difference between reality and illusion.?The first symbol, presented in the first scene, is the fire escape.?This represents the "bridge" between the illusory world of the Wingfields and the world of reality.?This "bridge" seems to be a one way excursion.?But the direction varies for each character.?For Tom, the fire escape is the way out of the world of Amanda and Laura and an entrance into a world of new dimensions.?For Laura, the fire escape is a way into her own world. A way to escape from reality.?Amanda perceives the fire escape as a way for gentlemen callers to enter their lives.?She is also trying to escape her own vacant life.?Our author, Tennessee Williams utilizes the fire escape as a literal exit from his own reality as well.?His way of escaping is through the play.?In Tom's opening speech, he says, "I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion."?This quote refers to Williams' own life told through the play.?Everyone in the play seeks haven from their lives, attempting to escape into an imaginary fallacy world.?In "The Glass Menagerie," Williams' fire escape portrays each of the character's need to use the fire escape as a literal exit from their own reality.

Ð" Ð'®?The Glass Menagerie is set in the apartment of the Wingfield family.?By description, it is a cramped place located in the city of St. Louis.?It is one of many apartments in the neighborhood.?Of the Wingfield family members, none like living in the apartment.?The only reason that traps them in their submissive dwelling is poverty.?The concept of escaping their own lives and retreating into an illusion world has entered each of the character's minds.Ð" Ð'® Escaping from this lifestyle, this apartment, and these relationships is a significant theme throughout the play.?These escapes are linked with the symbolic "fire escape" as well as the absent Mr. Wingfield.

Ð" Ð'®?Mr. Wingfield left his family for a life on the road.?"He worked for the telephone company and fell in love with long distances."?This action left Tom with all of the responsibilities in the family including taking care of his half-mad, overbearing mother, Amanda and a disabled sister, Laura.?With all of the responsibilities on Tom's shoulders he is forced to take a job at a warehouse in order to take care of the family and pay rent. Tom is unsatisfied with his life and is always seeking for a way to escape his misery.?In Tom's eyes, the fire escape serves as a transit between "truth" and "illusion."?It detaches reality of the outside world, which in this case, the city of St. Louis, from the world of the Wingfields.?Tom's way of dealing with his misery is to remove himself from his locale and go to the movies.?He claims that he loves the adventure.?"I go to the movies because- I like adventure.?Adventure is something I don't have much of at work, so I go to the movies" (p. 415).Ð" Ð'®

Ð" Ð'®?Amanda seeks for an escape from her own empty life. She had high hopes of marrying a wealthy man but instead, she settled for a telephone man who eventually abandons her and the kids.?This incident made Amanda live her life in bitterness and paranoia. "The future becomes the present, the present the past, and the past turns into everlasting regret if you don't plan for it" (p. 421).?She constantly nags at Tom's habits and tries to contour Laura into the girl that she wasn't.?Amanda repeatedly lectures and corrects her children on how to present themselves, how to live life, and how to act.?She tries to take control of her children's lives as if she is trying to fit them in a mold of perfection.?"Try and you will SUCCEED!?Why, you - you're just full of natural endowments!?Both of my children - they're unusual children! Don't you think I know it? I'm so proud! Happy and - I feel I've - so much to be thankful for" (p. 414).?Amanda has two fears in her life.?One of her worst fears is having Tom grow up to be his father. "Promise, son, you'll - never be a drunkard!" (p. 414).?"When I see you taking after his ways! Staying out late - and - well, you had been drinking the night you were in that - terrifying condition" (p. 415).?Amanda's

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