Discuss how the glass menagerie celebrates the human need to dream.

"The glass menagerie" celebrates the human need to dream. This need is shown in Amanda's escapism, Tom's dream of adventure and Jim's American dream. In 'The Glass Menagerie,' Amanda is constantly trying to escape from her poor, less-than-glamorous present by dreaming of a brighter, happier future for her daughter Laura. This dream is shown when Amanda is looking at the moon with Tom and thy both make a wish. Amanda expresses that her wish …

…one day be worth something. Jim's dream is a necessary part of his life because without it he will go nowhere; but with it, he just may some day achieve the American dream. The play, 'The Glass Menagerie' not only deals with the human need to dream, it also suggests that one's dream influences the direction of one's progress in life. Tom and Jim, who have very different dreams, progress in life very different directions.