Role of the Characters in The Glass Menagerie Essay

Role of the Characters in The Glass Menagerie All of the characters in The Glass Menagerie have specific symbols in the play representing themselves. Some of the symbols for Tom are the Merchant Marine and the magician’s nailed coffin, while Amanda’s are the yellow dress and her membership to the Daughters of the American Revolution and some of Laura’s are the unicorn and blue roses. Tennessee Williams play has a simple face but the meanings behind the countless and increasingly complex symbols make the play enjoyable the tenth time read. Through the narrator, Tom, we are giving a glimpse into Tennessee Williams’ life as his autobiographical character survives the depression era in St. Louis. I shall explain some of the more†¦show more content†¦She makes her self-the standard with such remarks as seventeen! --gentlemen callers, and since Laura cannot fulfill those expectations, she is â€Å"crippled†. Even her appearance is subject to Amanda’s standard when Jim arrives. When Amanda compliments her daughter, she uses the opportunity to give herself a bigger compliment mirroring Jim’s actions. Next is the our narrator, Tom. Their apartment is Tom’s nailed coffin. He yearns to be free of this love, the mirror, and for adventure such as the Merchant Marines. Tom has a need for companionship like every other human being, but his need for loneliness is greater. Tom and his sibling share this. His mother says Go to the movies, go! Dont think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister whos crippled and has no job! Dont let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure!. This is his mother using the mirror against him. Tom is a grown man who pays the rent of their dwelling. Although Tom should hold some power in the household he is constantly being held in check by being made to feel guilty. Eric P. Levy notes that Tom’s smashing of the glass after his mother’s declaration is symbolic of Tom’s mirror and his urge to smash it. Not only is this symbolic of his mirror, but it is another link to his sister when her glass menagerie breaks. Tom and Laura are nailed into dysfunctional love with their mother. Tom’s smashing of his mirror and them leaving foreshadows Laura’s possible futureShow MoreRelatedThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams985 Words   |  4 Pages ¨ This quote by the author of The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams, describes both The Glass Menagerie, a memory play, and the life of Tennessee Williams himself, for whom memories played a large role in his life. Within the play, many parallels can be drawn between the life of Williams and the life of Tom, the main character, such as a disdain for factory work. 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A research group discovered that children who have alcoholic parents haveRead More Alienation in Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie Essay examples943 Words   |  4 PagesAlienation in Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie Life is a lonely tale of alienation, as Tennessee Williams conveys though his play, â€Å"The Glass Menagerie.† Williams surrounds Laura in isolation from a world in which they wish to belong to by using various symbols. The symbolic nature of the motifs hidden within the lines of this play provides meaning to the theme found consistent throughout the play: Individuals are all alone in the world. Williams brilliantly illuminates the