To open up this phrase and to reach understand it better, we must first understand what is meant when Laura is described as 'too exquisite to be moved from the shelf'. The purpose of this is to show the simple distinction between Laura and her Glass Menagerie. In fact, I believe the aim was to purposely describe Laura and compare her to the Glass Menagerie because Laura and the glass are one in themselves. By assuming this, we can delve into Laura and her Glass Menagerie and make comparisons much more simply because, on its own, the quote offers nothing much more than give the impression of delicateness.
             So, by assuming Laura and her Glass Menagerie are the same, we can make several points. The glass does in fact parallel Laura. Both are seen as delicate, beautiful, and fragile. Scene 2 perfectly compliments this feature by describing her in vivid detail in the stage directions; "...wears a dress of soft violet material for a kimono – her hair tied back from her forehead with a ribbon." By using words such as 'soft', and 'delicate' in the quote beforehand, we are given an essence of Laura's vulnerability. The image also presents the reader with views of beauty defined. The slight religious tendency of the play can allow us to make the assumption Laura is an angel in disguise, but there are no direct links in Scene 2 to reinforce this.
             The glass menagerie collection is a symbol in the play, very much for Laura's characteristics, but it is also a direct symbol for Laura and what she embodies. The glass menagerie is an entity which is kept indoors, very much like Laura. In fact, the only reason Laura does leave home is to attempt to fool her mother in to believing she is attending school. "From half past seven till after five every day you mean to tell me you walked around in the park, because you wanted to make me think you were still going to Rubicam's Business C
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