“Symbolism of the Fire Escape”

“Symbolism of the Fire Escape”

In Tennessee Williams play, “The Glass Menagerie”, Williams uses symbols in order to try to indicate some form of escape or, difference between reality and illusion. The fire Escape in the first scene represents the "bridge" between the illusory world of the Wingfields and the world of reality. Even though this "bridge" seems to be a one way excursion, 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 a world of new dimensions. For Laura, the fire escape is a way into her own world, or a way to escape from her reality. Amanda perceives the fire escape as a way for gentlemen callers to enter their lives, while simultaneously trying to escape her own vacant life. Everyone in the play seeks haven from their lives, attempting to escape into an imaginary fallacy world. In "The Glass Menagerie," Williams' fire escape portrays each of the character's need to us...