Essay on the Illusion of Escape in The Glass Menagerie

The Illusion of Escape in The Glass Menagerie In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, the characters exhibit a state of delusion that originates from their dissatisfaction with their lives. Tom seeks adventure in the movies. Amanda reminisces often about her days as a Southern Belle. Laura sits in a dream world with her glass collection, and Jim basks in the praises of his high school glory. In their respective ways, they demonstrate their restlessness. The quotation from Thoreau, The mass of men lead lives of the quiet desperation, applies to the characters in that they are all unhappy, but take no action to improve their situation in any significant way. Tom, as the narrator, explains to the audience the†¦show more content†¦Eventually he alleviates his distress of being in the warehouse where his creativity goes to waste by joining The Union of Merchant Seamen. Tom does not solve his problems; he runs from them. The guilt from deserting his family will always exist in his life, creating another source of eternal grief. Tom will never fully escape his two-by-four situation. While Amanda often regresses to the memories of better days, she is more level-headed than the remaining members of her family. A major source of irritation for her lies in her childrens inability to deal with their problems. She wants good lives for them, but is rebuffed when she endeavors to help. She fears for Lauras future because the girl finds so many activities she [cant] face. Laura becomes ill when pressured and cannot speak with people she does not know. Amanda cannot understand Lauras silliness over answering the door. Tom also distresses her by not taking his job and responsibility seriously. She fears that he will lose his job, and their family is already having economic difficulties. Despite all of her plans for the family, she knows their lives will be nothing but difficult, so she retreats into the past, telling stories of all of her gentlemen callers. Amanda is hiding from her worst fear that they will be eating the crust of humility all their [lives]. Playing worn records and arranging her glass figurines, Laura is the main quandary in the lives of Tom andShow MoreRelatedEssay on Illusions of Escape in The Glass Menagerie3142 Words   |  13 PagesIllusions of Escape in The Glass Menagerie      Ã‚  Ã‚   Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie gives readers a look into a truly dysfunctional family.   At first it could seem as if their lives are anything but normal, but Amandas impulse to preserve her single-parent family seems as familiar as the morning newspaper (Presley 53).   The Wingfields are a typical family just struggling to get by.   Their problems, however, stem from their inability to effectively communicate with each other.  Read More Essay on the Symbolism of the Menagerie in The Glass Menagerie1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Symbolism of the Menagerie in The Glass Menagerie      Ã‚   Tennessee Williams play, The Glass Menagerie, describes three separate characters, their dreams, and the harsh realities they face in a modern world.   The Glass Menagerie exposes the lost dreams of a southern family and their desperate struggle to escape reality. 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