The play "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams is a play in which an essential conflict between illusions and dreams for they oppose reality. Williams uses a plethora of symbols to portray the key ideas and difference of dreams and reality especially those of the unicorn in Laura's glass menagerie; the fire-escape and the character of Jim O'Connor. The three key characters Tom, Amanda and Laura are trapped in circumstances which are beyond their control. …
showed first 75 words of 1141 total

showed last 75 words of 1141 total
…down the fire-escape to his world of adventures in the "merchant marines". Thus, it is evident through the symbols of the fire-escape, the unicorn and Jim O'Connor help reinforce the themes of dreams and reality. The three key characters have to live partly in a life of illusion in order to cope with the harsh reality. At the end it is only Tom who is able to live the life that he often dreamt of.