“Go on, I trust you with him! There now—you’re holding him gently! Hold him over the light, he loves the light! You see how the light shines through him?...It’s no tragedy, Freckles. Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are…” - Laura
– The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (pg 83-86)
This statement is essential in describing the main character Laura. Throughout the play Laura is portrayed as a woman who is weak and unable to move further in her life. The mother seemed to have lost her hope in finding her daughter a suitor as a result. The author Tennessee Williams depicts Laura as being frightened to face the world on her own. Regardless of the opportunities she was given, Laura seems incapable of handling it. This was supported by her inability to complete typing school or high school. Similar to the glass animals Laura collects, she was fragile; whoever dealt with her had to be extremely cautious. However, in spite of the caution taken around the glass animals, they can be broken; it seems inevitable. Laura repeatedly proves that she is unable to carry out a normal life. She continuously needs someone to be with her and help her perform her responsibilities. The glass animals symbolized Laura. They were incapable of carrying on a normal life. The glass animals were forced to be placed far from the other household objects since they were too fragile.
I chose this passage because it explains Laura’s character. When one is reading the play he or she would never truly understand her character unless he or she learned about the glass animals. The author finally shows the readers the extent of fragility of Laura. The passage makes the reader wonder if a person who appears fragile can ever overcome their weakness. “Hold him over the light, he loves the light! You see how the light shines through him?” Even though the animals were fragile there is a certain aspect which had beauty. The beauty captured people’s attention. The glass animals illustrate that even though they are fragile they display strength through the beauty when shown in light. I think this passage gives the entire play meaning. It made me realize that people have to be careful with certain people; however, once they get past a certain point, the person appears less fragile. The person actually begins to appear strong through their character.
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Livia-
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of Laura and her glass menagerie is accurate and well-explained. She is indeed as fragile and delicate as her glass figures, but as your analysis uncovers, she also bears a certain strength in her beauty. It's interesting as well that you posted a very different analysis than your classmate who wrote about Tom. How similar and different are both of these characters? How fragile are they? How strong? Additionally, ask yourself how each escapes reality. This would make a very interesting discussion.