Comparing The Glass Menagerie and the Life of Tennessee...

Parallels in The Glass Menagerie and the Life of Tennessee Willliams In Tennessee Williamss drama The Glass Menagerie the setting and dramatization in the play are used to convey each member of the familys hopes, desperations, and fears. He uses symbols throughout the story to add a deeper meaning and give his characters a sense of mystery. Also, though maybe inadvertently, The Glass Menagerie actually parallels the people and events in Tennessee Willliamss life. The setting in this drama plays a major role in the storys symbolism. It is set in a small apartment ,The apartment faces an alley and is entered by a fire escape, a structure whose name is a touch of accidental poetic truth, for all of these huge buildings†¦show more content†¦I would have stopped, but I was pursued by something.... I pass the lighted window of a shop where perfume is sold. The window is filled with pieces of colored glass, tiny transparent bottles in delicate colors, like bits of a shattered rainbow. Then all at once my sister touches my shoulder. I turn around and look into her eyes. Oh, Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intended to be! (Haley) Amanda uses the fire escape as another venue to protect her children. She says, If anyone breaks a leg on those fire escape steps, the land lord ought to be sued for every cent he possesses. The fire escape plays into Williamss impossibility of true escape. Also, a very large photograph of Mr. Wingfield is placed in a very prominent position in the living room. The enlarged photograph of Mr. Wingfield that hangs smiling in the living room is a reminder to Tom that escape is possible. The photograph seems to mock Tom; he got away and left his son to fill his shoes as the breadwinner and protector of the house; all Tom really wants to do is find adventure and write poetry. (Phillips) The photograph is a constant reminder to the entire family that they have been deserted, a reminder that they werent good enough. Lauras glass menagerie seems to be the plays central symbol. Lauras collection of glass animal figurines represents a number of facets of her personality. Like the figurines, Laura is