Laura Wingfield Symbolism

In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams uses delicate symbols and limits Laura Wingfield’s language to reveal the strong and independent nature of Laura underneath her demure and shy guise. To the reader, Laura Wingfield is a glaring contrast to her impulsive mother Amanda, and her brother Tom who displays an oscillating nature between being caring and cruel. Although Laura feels that she is restricted in life by her handicap and reticent nature, she opens up greatly and exhibits a confident and positive side to her. This unraveling of her powerful nature is accomplished by a variety of subtle, yet poignant symbols, such the glass menagerie itself which captures both Laura’s fragility and her strengths. Throughout the play, Laura’s speech
The gracefully crafted glass pieces represent Laura’s gentle and delicate nature. However, glass exposes its power and strength into the vicinity when it shatters into pieces. Likewise, Laura becomes courageous and much more powerful after Jim breaks her heart. Jim goes through the process of making her hopeful and then immediately tarnishes her desires of living a domestic life with him in their short encounter. However Laura emerges as the bigger person by giving him a memento. This scene reveals Laura’s resiliency that is often hidden beneath her taciturn demeanor. The nickname Blue Roses also plays a significant part in divulging Laura’s strengths. Blue roses are not found in nature, which makes them unique. The unprecedented quality of blue roses applies to Laura as well. Her riveting and child-like personality gives her a peculiar nature, but her uniqueness is what makes her powerful. Accompanying their rareness, blue roses also represent regal majesty and splendor. Laura’s nickname being Blue Roses raises her to the level of being a queen or princess. A royal figure is powerful, and likewise, Laura is in full control of her life and her conciliating yet doting relationship with her family further proves