The glass menagerie - Admission/Application Essay Example

Accordingly, for purposes of this brief analysis, the author will focus specifically upon the manner through which symbolism is represented within Tennessee Williams “The Glass Menagerie”. Through such an analysis and identification of relevant symbols and their meanings, it is the hope of this author that the reader will gain a more informed understanding with regards to the dynamics of the underlying story. The first and most obvious use of symbolism that the playwrights, Tennessee Williams, employees is with regards to the symbolism that is reflected within the glass menagerie that Laura so desperately clings to.

Ultimately, this glass menagerie is merely a collection of inanimate objects that have no soul nor any relevance to the world the family seeks to live within. However, using this menagerie as an escape mechanism, Laura is able to populate her world with friendly entities that do not criticize her choices or make her feel inadequate in the same way that her overbearing and rather authoritarian mother does. Moreover, as Laura suffers from a unique psychological condition, the glass menagerie is able to provide her with a sense of purpose, control, and relevance to at last some aspect of her own life; something that she has not been afforded with relation to the other determinant areas of her life that are almost entirely consumed with a maternal preoccupation with who will be her suitor.

Another unique symbolism that exists with respect to the collection of the glass menagerie is with regards to the fact that by very definition of the way in which this collection exists, the reader is left to assume that these glass figurines are perfect. The beauty and value in any collection of figurines, invariably and especially those that are made out of glass or ceramic, is partly attributed to the fact that their beauty and symmetry is flawless to the naked eye. This provides a further level of symbolism with regards to the way in which Laura struggles to reflect a flawless image both physically and mentally.

Due to the fact that this young woman suffers from a limp and also from an undiagnosed psychosis that affects the way with which she integrates with the world, the level and extent to which this menagerie provides an escape and reflection of flawlessness within a world that is incontrovertibly flawed, is profound. Another use of symbolism that is represented throughout the play is with regards to the way in which Tom continually seeks a level of escape from the dismal realities that exist for him as the sole breadwinner and support for the family.

Burdened by the overly repressive and domineering mother, Tom is forced to work in a shoe warehouse; a job that he fundamentally detest and find abysmally boring and unimaginative. As a direct result of this level of sadness and depression, brought on by the mundane work that he is forced to engage with, Tom continually seeks ways to escape from such a reality. The escapism that Tom seeks is both figurative, symbolic, and literal. For instance, the escape that is figurative is evidenced with regards to the way in which he regularly attends local bars and screens film at the movie theater by himself.

Both of these activities are of course symbolic of an