Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie - Essay Example

The high school nickname, “blue roses” (scene ii), that Jim had for Laura is also symbolic. It is a symbol of the affection that Laura seeks and the cruelty that world offers her. Blue roses are both unusual and mysterious which reflects Laura's personality. The nickname while seemingly affectionate was actually a play on the term “neurosis” which Laura suffered from in her childhood. Additional, the use of the name Rose pays homage to Williams' sister who was afflicted with a mental disorder and was against her will subjected to a lobotomy which she never recovered from.

Laura's collection of glass animal figures mirrors several of her personality traits. Her mother references the glass menagerie when talking about Laura and comments “She lives in a world of her own—a world of—little glass ornaments” (scene v). Laura is delicate and needs to be handled carefully because “Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are" (scene vii). Just as the glass is transparent and superficially uninteresting so is Laura. However, in the right light, those tiny glass creatures refract light in a number of various and vibrant colors.

This is similar to Laura who may appear shy and boring to strangers but becomes alluring and attractive when her false societal mask is peeled away and her inner spirit is exposed. Jim is almost instantly enamored with Laura and tries to comfort her by stating “You think of yourself as having the only problems, as being the only one who is disappointed. But just look around you and you will see lots of people as disappointed as you are” (scene vii). The menagerie also represents the imagined world Laura lives in