To what extent does Williams create characters as merely symbolic representations used to teach the audience about human nature? And what other techniques does he use in the Glass Menagerie?

Tennessee Williams uses symbolism to reveal, in depth, attributes of characters and what they represent. the play is constructed so that each character has a defining symbol which resembles their personality. Brechtian techniques also contribute to the motifs and themes of the play.

We are presented a symbol straight away in the first scene which is the fire escape. This symbolises a "bridge" between the illusionary world of the Wingfields and the world of reality outside of their apartment.

Tom-"I'm going for a smoke!"

Laura-"I'm all right. I slipped, but I'm all right

From this The "bridge" initially seems to be a one way passage, but the for each character the direction varies. The fire escape, for Tom, is escape out of the world of Amanda and Laura and an entrance into......

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Title: The Glass Menagerie
Approximate Word Count: 1670
Approximate Pages: 7 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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