The play The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, Williams
             uses many symbols which represent many different things. Many of the
             symbols used in the play try to symbolize some form of escape or
             difference between reality and illusion.
             The first symbol, presented in the first scene, is the fire
             escape. This represents the "bridge" between the illusory world of the
             Wingfields and the world of reality. This "bridge" seems to be a one
             way passage. But the direction varies for each character. For Tom, the
             fire escape is the way out of the world of Amanda and Laura and an
             entrance into the world of reality. For Laura, the fire escape is a
             way into her world. A way to escape from reality. Both examples can
             readily be seen: Tom will stand outside on the fire escape to smoke,
             showing that he does not like to be inside, to be a part of the
             illusionary world. Laura, on the other hand, thinks of the fire escape
             as a way in and not a way out. This can be seen when Amanda sends
             Laura to go to the store: Laura trips on the fire escape. This also
             shows that Laura's fears and emotions greatly affect her physical
             condition, more so than normal people.
             Another symbol presented deals more with Tom than any of the
             other characters: Tom's habit of going to the movies shows us his
             longing to leave the apartment and head out into the world of reality.
             A place where one can find adventure. And Tom, being a poet, can
             understand the needs of man to long for adventure and romance. But he
             is kept from entering reality by Amanda, who criticizes him as being a
             "selfish dreamer." But, Tom has made steps to escape into reality by
             transferring the payment of a light bill to pay for his dues in the
             Another symbol, which deals with both Amanda and Laura, is Jim
             O'Connor. To Laura, Jim represents the one thing she fears and does
             not want to face, reality. Jim is a per
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