What Does The Glass Menagerie Represent

A symbol serves as the bricks in which the house of a play or novel is built. This metaphor is especially true in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. While the foundation of the house is primarily build on the basis of Laura’s conflict amongst herself, the glass menagerie serves as main representation of Laura’s conflict. However, this conflict can be represented by Laura’s glass menagerie in which she blocks herself from the world. Also, the menagerie serves as the disappointment held deeply by Amanda. The feelings and bond held between Jim and Laura can also be seen through the glass figurines. The representation of multiple feelings and relationships through one major symbol creates a central dogma with which the so-called house was built. Laura repeatedly blocked herself from society, and her pastime while hiding herself away was to play with her glass figurines. As a goalie blocks a soccer ball, the figurines kept Laura from interacting with the world. Thus, the glass menagerie serves as a symbol
These topics can range from a more melancholy attitude to a radiant attitude. In The Glass Menagerie, Williams prefers a melancholier approach. One may interpret the glass figurines to represent Amanda disdain toward her daughter. In the second scene of the play, Amanda finds out that Laura has been skipping her typing classes. While Amanda is lecturing Laura, Laura goes and fiddles with her glass menagerie. Amanda also finds herself disappointed in her daughters in ability to find a so-called “gentleman caller”. Because the menagerie pulls Laura like a magnet and causes her to betray her mother, the menagerie represents the disappointment of the mother. This feeling held by Amanda drives Laura to open herself up to Jim when he comes over for dinner. Thus, the meaning of this symbol is magnified through the plot of the