... seems to be saying that there is more comfort in illusion and imagination than in reality, developing the theme of fantasy verses reality. In a room lit by candle light and the sound of music, Jim, the gentlemen caller and Laura stand together while Laura enlightens Jim about her glass menagerie; "LAURA: I shouldn't be partial, but he is my favorite one. JIM: What kind of a ... his disappearance will be damaging to the family. Like the coffin trick, a magician gives you wonderful but false sense of reality. Tom on the other hand can only offer reality and pretend there were no nails remo...

• Word Count: 912
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Illusion versus Reality in The 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 ... 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 descr...

• Word Count: 1744
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... literary work. In the dramatic play, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams there are three major symbols. One major symbol presented in the story is the fire escape, a symbol that has a different meaning and function for each character. For Tom, it is a way of escape from fire, not the normal type of fire that would need a fire truck, but "the slow and implacable ... . It shows her reluctance to let a messenger from the world of reality, symbolized by Jim, invade the comfortable non-existence of the apartment, and her insecurity in dealing with the outside world. Another recurring sym...

• Word Count: 990
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School