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The Glass Menagerie - Online Term Paper

The Glass Menagerie

The play , 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 passage. 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 the world of
reality. For Laura, the fire escape is a way into her world. A way to
escape from reality. Both ...

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with Tom than any of the other
characters: Tom's habit of going to the movies shows us his longing to
leave the apartment and head out into the world of reality. A place where
one can find adventure. And Tom, being a poet, can understand the needs of
man to long for adventure and romance. But he is kept from entering
reality by Amanda, who criticizes him as being a "selfish dreamer." But,
Tom has made steps to escape into reality by transferring the payment of a
light bill to pay for his dues in the Merchant Seaman's Union.

Another symbol, which deals with both Amanda and Laura, is Jim
O'Connor. To Laura, Jim represents the one thing she fears and does not
want to face, reality. Jim is a perfect example of "the common man." A
person with no real outstanding quality. In fact, Jim is rather awkward,
which can be seen when he dances with Laura. To Amanda, Jim represents the
days of her youth, when she went frolicking about picking jonquils and
supposedly having ...

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The Glass Menagerie. (2005, October 25). Retrieved January 10, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Glass-Menagerie/35457

"The Glass Menagerie." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 25 Oct. 2005. Web. 10 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Glass-Menagerie/35457>

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 10/25/2005 09:53:39 PM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 719
Pages: 3

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