The Glass Menagerie refers to the fragile world Within the play Williams uses characters who face solitary struggles in an emotionally,physically, and financially starved surrounding. Duringthe course of the play, a glass unicorn gets broken, symbolizing the fragile nature of a dream world. It's more than coincidental that the play's title refers to the collection of glass animals that belongs to Laura. The title of the play gives symbolism to the lives of Tom, Laura, and Amanda. To find relief from his boring, tedious and stressful life along with his mother's constant naggingabuse, Tom goes to movies "nobody goes to the movies nightafter night" (1874) and dreams about future adventures for himself. To maintain with frustration and anger Tomsometimes uses bitter humor, like when he calls himself "Killer Wingfield" (1875) and "El Diablo" (1875). Watching adventures on the movie screen offers Tom anotherway of living, possibly one that he wishes he could be in. Laura has withdrawn from the reality of her disability and her mothers concern by always playing witha collection of glass animals, a real glass menagerie. Whenever there was an angry exchange of words in the houseLaura frequently shut herself away to her private, imaginaryworld to mope and finger the miniature glass world. Insteadof attending Rubicam's Business College, Laura has beentaking walks in the park and visiting museums. "I wentin the art museum and the bird-houses at the zoo. I visitedthe penguin's everyday!" (1871) She is so fragile that she can hardly function in the real world. Illusion may bedangerous for Laura since the menagerie serves as a substitute for life. Amanda has lived most of her life inside a glass menagerie, refusing to accept reality about her miserableexistence and the handicap of her daughter. Williams showsthe family in downfall, with certain members holding badlyto past visions of greatness. She does not acce...
