Research Paper on:
Innovative Use of Symbolism by Playwright Tennessee Williams in The Glass Menagerie

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
the play try to symbolize some form of escape or difference between reality and illusion" (Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie). Throughout the entire novel there is a sense of being  trapped in one way or another, and also a sense that release of some kind is being sought after. Bearing that in mind the following paper examines some of the  symbolism found in Tennessee Williams "The Glass Menagerie." Symbolism One of the first symbolic elements in the story occurs with the fire escape. "This represents the bridge between  the illusory world of the Wingfields and the world of reality. This bridge seems to be a one way passage" (Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie). However, as this author further  notes, "the direction varies for each character. For Tom, the fire escape is the way out of the world of Amanda and Laura and an entrance into the world of  reality" (Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie). In the case of Laura the fire escape is a means of escaping into a part of her world, a world that runs from  reality. "Both examples can readily be seen: Tom will stand outside on the fire escape to smoke, showing that he does not like to be inside, to be a  part of the illusionary world. Laura, on the other hand, thinks of the fire escape as a way in and not a way out. This can be seen when Amanda  sends Laura to go to the store: Laura trips on the fire escape. This also shows that Lauras fears and emotions greatly affect her physical condition, more so than normal  people" (Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie). We can also see the fire escape as being deeply connected to its naming. "The fire escape represents exactly what its name implies: