The Truth in Perception:an Exploration of The Glass Menagerie

The world is crafted through humanity’s perceptions, shaped by their shared experiences of the world, yet differentiated by each individual experience. Within The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, the ideas of overwhelming truth, individual perceptions, and the flaws of humanity are all explored. Through the various characters, with a specific focus on Tom’s narration, Williams argues that the truth is only a subjective idea that is created through the perceptions of humankind, molded through humanity’s flaws.

One of the greatest arguments in The Glass Menagerie is the concept that all human beings are imperfect; yet that is precisely what unites each person in civilization. Williams demonstrates this easily with his array of characters. Between Amanda, Laura, Jim and Tom, Williams establishes that no one is faultless, whether this manifests in a misperception of the truth, or the need to escape, as “ we see Tom escaping from the warehouse… by retreating to the movies, a world of adventure analogous to the life he dreams of… the movies provide his cover…and are the escape mechanism” (Reynolds 2). Each flaw manifests itself differently within different people. In the play, it initially appears that Tom exposes each characters flaws, including his own, through his function as a narrator. For Tom, himself, it is his inability to stay and support his family, his romanticized view of the world, and his ingrained need for adventure. For Amanda, it is her inability to live in the present, and for Laura it is her inability to function in society. Each of these flaws can be overwhelmingly identified in the misperceived interactions between the characters. Even as they misunderstand one another, one witnesses their flaws, “for to lo...

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