The Glass Menagerie : Literary devices
The Glass Menagerie is a notable literary work by Tennessee Williams. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The Glass Menagerie.
Literary devices
Symbols
Glass Menagerie/Glass Animals: The glass animals represent Laura’s fragile nature and her retreat into an illusionary world. Her self-esteem is as delicate as the figurines, and she finds comfort in them.
Glass Unicorn: The glass unicorn, Laura’s favorite figurine, symbolizes how Tom sees Laura: delicate, beautiful, and unique, almost magical. When Jim accidentally breaks the unicorn, it loses its uniqueness and becomes an ordinary horse, symbolizing Laura’s fragility in trying to fit into the real world. This moment occurs just before Jim kisses Laura, indicating that a relationship between them is impossible.
Fire Escape: Tom often stands on the apartment’s fire escape, symbolizing both a literal and figurative escape from the restrictions of his everyday life. By smoking there, he distances himself from the pressures of home. For Tom, it’s an escape route from his suffocating home life. His frequent retreats to the fire escape hint at his eventual departure. For Laura, the fire escape represents her difficulty in stepping into the real world. When Laura is forced onto the fire escape, she stumbles.
Gentleman Caller: Jim O’Connor is the Gentleman caller. He symbolizes the promise of the future and the potential for change.