Bird Motif

The bird motif in this story is used to symbolize Laura's fraility and trapped-like nature. She has clipped her own wings in an effort to close herself off from others. In Tom's case the bird motif symbolizes his need to escape. His only wish in life is to travel the world and search for adventure. He doesn't want to be trapped all his life. He wants to be free. For Amanda it symbolizes her need to protect her young. And even though any animal would have worked the bird motif connected the three characters giving them a common bond.

1. Hawklike attention-Act 1, scene 1 2. Wingfield-Act 1, scene 2 3. Bird houses at the Zoo-Act 1, scene 2 4. Penguins-Act 1, scene 2 5. Little birdlike women-Act 1, scene 2 6. Without any nest-Act 1, scene 2 7. Feather the nest and plum the bird-Act 1, scene 3 8. Sparrow's wings-Act 1, scene 3 9. Fly away canaries-Act 1, scene 5

Blue Motif

There is a reaccurring idea of everything being blue. The roses are blue, the mountain is blue, the moon is blue, and the glass pieces are blue. These things weren't blue just for the heck of it. Blue is symbolic of sadness and regrett which matches the mood of the play. There are many other examples of blue things in this play, and they all symbolize sadness.

Light Motif

The light motif in the story was a big factor. It helped reveal some of the characters. In a way Jim was the light because he was leading Laura out of her shy, fantasy world. To me Laura represented darkness because she did not involve herself with other people or activities. Another example, would be the limelight because relates to Amanda and how she always seems to be in the middle of every argument or conversation. She has a need for attention. The firelight also magnifies fantasy rather than realty and leaves some stuff in the dark.

Music Motif

The music in this story also played an important role. The music always seems to be playing when nothing dramatic was happening. Yet, when a dramatic part or line was about to be said or done the music always seemed to stop and draw attention to it. It also works with the lightning to help set the mood. When the light gets dim the music seems to be soft and slow to set a peaceful mood.

Flower Motif

There is a constant motif of flowers in this play. Flowers can be pretty and lively, or they can be withered and frail. In this play there are several different kinds of flowers such as blue roses, jonquils, daisies, and ROSE-colored glass. Also there were tired flowers on Amanda's dress. Flowers help appeal to the senses such as smell, touch, and sight.

Glass Motif

The glass motif is there, but it is more subtle than the other motifs. You get a sense of Laura being fragile like a piece of glass. The name The Glass Menagerie also reflects the motif. The Jewelbox, a large glass house at the zoo(I,ii) holds Laura in awe and fascination.

Themes

Grass is greener on the other side of the fence

One of the many themes in this story is that the grass is greener on the other side. The Wingfields look at Jim and they think he has it all. When really the only thing he's got is that he makes 20 dollars more an hour. The Wingfields on the other hand have each other which is more important than anything. If your all alone, what good does it do to have everything if you have no one to share it with. So even though the grass may appear greener on the other side, you should take a better look on your side first.

Everyone has their own escape

A major theme in this story is escape from reality to fantasy. Each character has their own place they go to get away from their own problems. Tom goes to the movies to get away from his mother's constant nagging while Laura plays with the glass pieces to avoid her mother. Amanda fantasizes back to Blue Mountain where everything is perfect. These actions support the theme of escape from reality to fantasy.

Breaking away

There are quite a few references to the theme, breaking away. For example, (I,i)Tom mentions that their father has "run away" from home. Tom follows in his father's foot steps and he leaves(II,viii). Laura is in a sense breaking away from her old self in the end. After she gets over her initial shyness towards Jim, she opens up(II,viii).

Reality vs. Fantasy

One of the most prevalent theme, reality vs. fantasy. In The Glass Menagerie it seems that reality is something that nobody wants to face and fantasy is something they can't make last. It is almost like they are living in the past, trying to delay the present, and fight off the future.

Living in the past

The final theme is living in the past. This theme applies to Amanda most of all; However, that doesn't mean that it doesn't apply to Laura and Tom to some extent also. Yet, Amanda is the one who is constantly bringing up her past to show to herself and them how it used to be for her. Laura is always thinking about what might have been if she wasn't crippled or had talked to Jim about how she felt about him. Tom, on the other hand, is constantly trying to make up for his father's mistakes. And since we never remember the past as it actually happened it becomes a fantasy too.