Illusion Vs. Reality In Glass Menagerie

How well a reader can identify with a piece of literature depends on his ability to associate with the ideas and characters presented to him. Williams “Glass Menagerie” provides many means in which the reader may identify with the work. Relating to the reader is necessary to grasp what the author is trying to express. One way in which a reader may relate to this piece is through the presences of illusions and reality. Each of the characters are living in their own illusions verses the reality. The characters do this in a way that they do not have to face the imperfections of their lives. The consequence of this illusion is that they will never truly be happy. One may find it more appealing to live life in an illusion than to face reality. The reader can relate to a living illusion, especially since as readers, one is part of a life/story that is not their own, during the time they read they are in sense living in an illusion.

Living in an illusion can be very appealing to one, since it gives you somewhat of an escape from reality. One can establish this very quickly in the characters, In fact, the first paragraph of the play describes the illusions to take place, “Bu

Laura is associated with her glass figurines. She is very protective of them. She lives in a world of pretty glass. To further understand the relevancy of this, we ask ourselves, is it practical to own glass figurines in her class of society? Perhaps not. The Wingfeild’s don’t have a lot of money, and certainly Laura could find something more productive to do with her time than to play with her glass figurines. However, the fact that these are so important to her and that she caters to this unrealistic world--one in which no time or money limitations exist, gives a sense of illusion. Instead of attending class, Laura went “in the art museum and the bird house at the zoo. I visited the penguins every day! Sometimes I did without lunch and went to the movies” (18). The places she goes to are very impractical places. For example, is a zoo a practical or realistic place? No. Its purpose is completely opposite of practical and realistic. Laura doesn’t seem to realize this, however, the irony describes Laura’s own world of illusion. When the “horse with the horn” loses the horn and becomes just like the others, Laura gives it to Jim, in a symbolic gesture. It has become normal, like everybody else, and Laura had to send it off with Jim, so she could remain with the unique pieces of glass (63). This resolves that Laura will not break out of her shell, even though she has seen what is to come. After all, she has chosen to remain in her comfort zone, reality or not.

Look at the characters one by one, determining each of their realities and illusions. This will help to establish why Williams chose this as a central theme, and what the resolution of these ideas are. Because Amanda plays such a large part in the play, we will start with her. Amanda’s life is much illusion. She establishes this right away when she begins to reminisce of the south and her numerous beaus (12-14). Although she might have indeed had many gentlemen callers, it is rather unlikely that she had seventeen rich callers. Even if she did, she loses touch with reality by refusing to let go of her early adulthood. She has repeated these stories so much that she finds them to be completely true. Its almost like she refused to grow up with the times, especially once things perceived to be harder.

Finally, Jim is introduced as he is welcomed to the Wingfield residence when he makes the important house call. By this point, Williams has made it apparent the Wingfields are not the run-of-the-mill family; in contrast, they have many problems. They seem to all be s

Some topics in this essay:
Glass Menagerie, Laura Jim, Wingfield’s Laura, Wingfields Jim, Finally Jim, glass figurines, , illusion reality, living illusion, illusion versus reality, touch reality, characters play, reader relate, practical realistic, outside world, understanding reality, reality characters,