Love

A pivotal literary device – symbolism – conveys deeper meaning and messages than what is interpreted on the surface, adding additional layers of significance to a particular text. Countless acclaimed writers have explored and experienced the use of symbolism, including Tennessee Williams in his evocative play. More specifically, Williams extensively applies the use of symbolism with the set of glass animals and the fire escape in his The Glass Menagerie for the purpose of accentuating the implied theme and the characters in the story.

Laura, depicted as introverted and emotionally crippled, is cursed with fragility and vulnerability – just like her glass figurines – and it is through this portrayal that Williams uses symbolism to reinforce Laura’s character. A childhood illness has left her with a severe inferiority complex as well as physically incapacitated. She remains cooped up in her home, isolated from the rest of the world and passes time playing with her intricate collection of glass sculptures – the glass menagerie. (Here you have to give one or two more sentences intro...