The glass menagerie - Williams autobiography

Tennessee Williams’ entire life was about escape and so it is not surprising that he should choose to emphasize this theme in many of his major works. “The Glass Menagerie” is an autobiographical story about his life and the struggles that he faced with his family and himself. The play mirrors many aspects of his young life, and emphasizes the need for escape in order to survive. The three main characters who illustrate this need …

…s need for escape. Williams uses the theme of escape throughout “The Glass Menagerie” to demonstrate the hopelessness and futility of each character’s dreams, while emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where each can dwell safely, and in doing so, survive against adversity. Amanda, Laura and Tom use various escape mechanisms to avoid reality and their actions parallel those of Williams’ real mother and sister, Edwina and Rose, as well as his own.