The Glass Menagerie Symbolism Analysis

Tennessee Williams employs the use of symbolism in The Glass Menagerie. Among the many symbols within the play is the fire escape. In the context of The Glass Menagerie, the fire escape represents an escape from the dysfunction of the Wingfield family. It is used as a door to the outside world, an escape, and it is integral to the plot of the story. Tom views the fire escape as a way out, it reminds him of the decision that he needs to make - should he stay and be miserable or leave and be happy, but abandon his sister? Laura is bound by the fire escape, it is an outlet into a world of the unknown, it is both a physical and emotional barrier for Laura. Tennessee Williams use of symbolism in The Glass Menagerie is exemplified through the fire

It’s his window to the outside world, his escape. Often choosing to return back home after his late night movie excursions, the fire escape represents both the exit and entrance into the Wingfield family (25). Tom’s decision to return is shown through the fire escape. In order to fully live, to seek adventure and change, Tom must stop seeing the fire escape as an entrance and only view it as an exit, an escape. When Tom finally chooses to put himself first and leaves for good the fire-escape’s symbolic meaning transforms (67). No longer representative of the decision Tom needs to make, the escape now represents freedom from the chains of his past. The fire escape represents freedom and opportunity to Tom.

Tennessee Williams uses the fire escape to symbolize an escape from the dysfunction and frustration of the Wingfield family. The escape serves as an exit in the play, it is both a literal escape out of the apartment and a metaphorical escape from the Wingfield family. For Laura, it represents what will never be able to do, because of her severe social anxiety and physical disability. Tom sees the escape as a choice, he freely uses it to come in and out of the apartment and it is up to him to choose to escape, his mother, Amanda, will not freely give him the opportunity to. The fire escape plays a major role within the plot of The Glass Menagerie and is symbolic to the characters within the