The Glass Menagerie Drama Reaction Paper
ENG 125
September 19, 2012
Heather Carlopio

The Glass Menagerie
In this week’s Drama literary composition The Glass Menagerie the author Tennessee Williams tells the story of a poor family of three living in a small apartment. The story takes place in the early 1900s and most of the scenes take place in their apartment. The drama was set from the beginning of the story when the author first determines that Laura has a disability, and she is unsure of herself. The drama plot thickens once the author explains how Tom in the story took over the role as the man of the house to fill the void of his absent father. Tom has to step up and be the provider for his mother and sister in the story. …show more content…

Before the story ends Tom recognizes that his leaving Amanda and Laura did not change his life or bring him any happiness. Tom’s connection with the shattering glass and Laura candles signifies "And say goodbye" (Williams, 2011, p. 1246-1291) is a symbol that Tom has managed finally to remove himself from his family. Tom’s freedom is portrayed in the beginning of the play where Laura is saying goodbye. In spite the audience’s happiness when Tom is able to be free and follow his dreams, as a result sympathy is evoked as he is no longer tied to his family.
This story shows the readers a story of a three family members trying to find their personal identities and remain a functional family. Each character in the story is looking to find their personal happiness but struggles to do so. The family bond was broken up because of a lack of communication and understanding. Even after the family bond was broken, neither character still found the happiness they wanted. This story expresses that a person can exclude him or herself from his or her family and still not be happy, happiness comes from within. The story goes to show that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

References:
Barnet, S., Burto, W., & Cain, W. E. (2011). Literature for composition essays, stories, poems and plays (9th ed). pp. 1246-1291. New York: