Paper Topic:

The Glass Menagerie

Judy Cordova

Professor ________ (Subject

3 May 2008

The Glass Menagerie 's Symbolism

There are many symbolisms in The Glass Menagerie by American playwright Tennessee Williams , but the glass menagerie itself has the most impact and significance

Symbolism is one of the most common literary devices that an author employs to create a mood or to emphasize his theme ( Tips on Writing . Williams uses the glass unicorn , in particular , to emphasize the desolate life of Laura Wingfield

The story takes off with the recollections of Tom Wingfield , whose

sister , Laura , is a crippled and painfully shy young woman who looks at life in a bleak way . Her intensely private world is centered on a treasure collection of small glass animals (Ousby 370 . This collection of glass animals that preoccupies much of Laura 's time symbolizes her own fragility and the illusory life she lives ( Metaphor Analysis . Nervous and acutely aware of her imperfections Laura finds a ray of hope when Tom 's friend Jim O 'Connor visits her When he inadvertently breaks the unicorn 's horn , Laura rationalizes Glass breaks so easily . No matter how careful you are (Williams 125 . This mirrors her own frail emotional state

The unicorn is Laura 's favorite ornament , though she dismisses it when Jim accidentally breaks it . The unicorn is a creature of myth , not of reality ( Metaphor Analysis . The very embodiment of Laura , the unicorn is like a horse but it is not a horse its peculiar horn sets it apart from other horses . In much the same way , Laura is not like other girls ( Metaphor Analysis . She is very different , as Jim notes in the course of their conversation (Williams 125

When Laura finds out that Jim is engaged to be married , Laura 's hopes are shattered . By breaking the glass unicorn 's horn , Jim unintentionally brings Laura into the real world where she is no longer sheltered by the confines of her illusionary glass world . When the unicorn loses its horn and becomes like the rest of the animals in the glass menagerie , it loses its uniqueness . The glass menagerie . represents the culmination of the Wingfield 's dreams . Each character aspires to achieve individual goals - for Tom , it is escape , for Laura , it is attaining the affections of her love , while for Mrs . Wingfield , it is to recapture the past . In the end , the menagerie proves to be symbolic of the family 's shattered dreams and failures (Neuendorf . As a beautiful art collection , the glass menagerie in Laura 's shelf mirrors Laura 's exquisiteness and purity , qualities that endear her to her brother and intrigue Jim O 'Connor . Laura , however , chooses to put her life on a standstill , cautious and secure in her private world . In the end , she retreats to this private sanctuary , away from pain that the outside world can inflict , and at a safe distance from other people 's judgment castigation and high expectations

Works Cited

Anonymous . Tips on Writing About Techniques (Style ' 4 May 2008

Metaphor Analysis...

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