Essay about Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie - 2032 Words

Symbolism is a type of literary device authors use to add special effect and meaning to their stories. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, symbolism is â€Å"The practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships (â€Å"symbolism†).† Objects, people, actions, and words often are used to symbolize a deeper meaning throughout the text of a story. As one reads a story, they must realize that each sentence they are reading could have a double meaning; this means that further thought is often necessary, on the part of the reader, to better understand the whole effect the author was trying to portray. Tennessee Williams wrote The Glass Menagerie in a†¦show more content†¦Laura can relate to the menagerie in many aspects, but most clearly seen by the reader is how both Laura and the menagerie are viewed for their outside appearance and actions only. Laura is a tim id, bland character around unfamiliar faces; however, she is also full of mysterious talents and joys that are only visible to those whom choose to look at her in the right light. This is true also for the glass figurines. Although the figurines seem plain and dull, when looking at them through the right light, one can see a range of beautiful colors shining through. The glass menagerie relates in many ways to Laura. The similarities between the glass figurines and the girl are inevitable. The relation between the two is so important that Laura’s character introduction talks about the glass menagerie. Laura’s character description states that â€Å" [l]uara’s separation increases till she is like a piece of her own glass collection, too exquisitely fragile to move from the shelf† (Williams, 1153). This holds very true for Laura because as the story progresses she becomes weaker and weaker until finally she is so fragile, like the menagerie, that sh e no longer has strength to do anything on her own. Although the glass menagerie is the main symbol that is visible throughout the text of the story, there are many other symbols dispersed in the reading. Out of all the figurines in The Glass Menagerie, there is one particular figurine that representsShow MoreRelated Essay on the Symbolism of the Menagerie in The Glass Menagerie1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Symbolism of the Menagerie in The Glass Menagerie      Ã‚   Tennessee Williams play, The Glass Menagerie, describes three separate characters, their dreams, and the harsh realities they face in a modern world.   The Glass Menagerie exposes the lost dreams of a southern family and their desperate struggle to escape reality. Williams use of symbols adds depth to the play. 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Everyone in the play seeks refuge from their lives, attempting to escape into an imaginary world. Williams uses the fireRead More Essay on Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie1171 Words   |  5 PagesSymbolism in The Glass Menagerie Symbolism plays an integral part in Williams’s play, The Glass Menagerie. Examples of the use of symbolism include the fire escape, as an escape from the family, the phonograph, as an escape from reality, the unicorn, as a symbol for Lauras uniqueness and the father’s photograph, representing something different to each character. Through regonition of these symbols, a greater understanding of the play’s theme is achieved. Throughout the play, Tom WingfieldRead MoreGlass Menagerie Symbolism Essay2502 Words   |  11 PagesIn his drama, The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams uses symbolism in order to develop multi-faceted characters and to display the recurring themes of the play. 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Williams had a bad relationshipRead More The Importance of Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie Essay1609 Words   |  7 PagesThe Importance of Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie  Ã‚      Tom Wingfield is the narrator and a major character in Tennessee William’s timeless play, The Glass Menagerie. Through the eyes of Tom, the viewer gets a glance into the life of his family in the pre-war depression era; his mother, a Southern belle desperately clinging to the past; his sister, a woman too fragile to function in society; and himself, a struggling, young poet working at a warehouse to pay the bills. Williams has managed